(Photo: MGN)ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)- A bill that would require utilities to buy offshore renewable energy credits has been granted preliminary approval by the Maryland House of Delegates.
Under the measure, Maryland residents could pay as much as $1.50 a month more in their monthly electricity bills once energy is generated by offshore wind.
The measure sidestepped a series of amendments proposed by Republican lawmakers on Wednesday.
The House passed a similar offshore wind bill last year, but the measure failed to make it out of the Senate Finance Committee.
The bill, which is expected to pass this year after two failed attempts, could receive final approval in the House by the end of the week.
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has made offshore a top priority for this legislative season.
In response to Wednesday's action by the House, Tommy Landers, the director of Environment Maryland said in a statement, "Gov. O'Malley and the Maryland House of Delegates are doing the right thing for our kids, our air, our climate, and our economy. The offshore wind industry is coming to our region, and this bill will put Maryland on the cutting edge of states ready to embrace and reap all of its benefits."
