OCEAN CITY, Md.- On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford and other state leaders joined Tradepoint Atlantic and Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind in Sparrows Point to announce their partnership to develop the first-ever offshore wind energy center in Maryland.
The announcement is the latest development of Ørsted’s Skipjack offshore wind farm located 19.5 miles off the coast of Maryland, and the expansion of the state’s offshore wind energy industry and workforce.
The project is a continued push for the state to reduce its carbon emissions for years to come.
In addition to the environmental benefits, local leaders like Mike Dunn with the Greater Salisbury Committee says there could also be a boost to the local economy as well.
"Once the build out comes we think there's the possibility for several hundred jobs here on the lower shore over the next twenty five years," he said.
Ørsted says it will create 1,400 jobs in Maryland as part of the Skipjack Wind Farm, including 913 jobs measured in full-time equivalents during development and construction and 484 jobs during operation.
But some are resistant to the wind farm, like many watermen who worry about impacts to marine life and a negative impact on their navigation.
Though the Town of Ocean City supports clean energy, in a statement to WBOC a spokesperson with the Town of Ocean City said:
The Ocean City Mayor and City Council have openly supported clean energy, including offshore wind; however, they have expressed serious concern for the threat they pose to our marine environment, our property values, our tourist economy, and the future of Ocean City. The Town continues to ask that these wind farms be moved further offshore in order to address our concerns and protect the Town’s natural Ocean views that property owners and visitors know and love.
Ørsted says we can expect to see an operational offshore wind farm by 2022 and it is set to have 15 turbines.
