Offshore wind is one of the most reliable clean energy resources available to Maryland. For offshore wind to be useful, it must be brought ashore. This legislation will help with that missing piece.
With this bill, Maryland could establish a coordinated transmission network that solves the issue of interconnection and builds resilience and reliability on our grid and offshore wind a reality.
AT A GLANCE
An overarching Maryland LCV priority is to put Maryland on an aggressive and strategic pathway to 100% Clean Energy by 2035.
Achieving this goal will reduce the impacts of climate change, build economic opportunity in the clean energy sector, and improve the health of Marylanders, felt most directly by those and particularly those who live nearest fossil fuel facilities and bear the brunt of energy pollution.
2023 is an ideal time to invest in offshore wind in Maryland, with a new administration committed to climate solutions, and with advancements to implement the landmark Climate Solutions Now Act, which put us on a path to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 60% by 2031.
Coupling Maryland’s emission reductions with further advancements in clean energy will provide even stronger benefits to our health, environment, economy, and communities.
THIS BILL WILL SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER BY:
Setting a goal for Maryland to achieve a total of 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2031
Facilitating the construction of the shared transmission infrastructure necessary to build more offshore wind power
Strengthening labor standards for manufacturing, assembling, operating and maintaining offshore wind turbines and their components
Ensuring that communities benefit from offshore wind and transmission projects while maximizing the creation of family-sustaining union jobs
Building additional offshore wind turbines in existing Atlantic lease areas without impacting ratepayer costs
