Supporting Offshore Wind for Maryland

The wind blowing over the ocean along Maryland’s coast is a vast, untapped energy resource. Capturing just a fraction of this resource can help to modernize Maryland’s electricity system for the 21st century and give the state greater control over its energy destiny. That’s why we’ve been advocating for offshore wind in Maryland for more than a decade. In 2012 we made the case for offshore wind as our single largest source of truly clean, renewable energy.

So we were thrilled to join dozens of Ocean City residents and environmental organizations testifying to the PSC on Tuesday night to support offshore wind in Ocean City. You can read testimony from Offshore Wind Asscociate Jolie Jaycobs on behalf of Environment Maryland below.

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Hello and thank you to all the commissioners for the opportunity to speak this evening. My name is Jolie Jaycobs and I am here as an Offshore Wind Associate on behalf of Environment Maryland and our members across the state, in strong support of approving the maximum amount of offshore wind the state has the opportunity to build.

Environment Maryland is a statewide environmental advocacy organization that works to create a cleaner, greener Maryland.

I chose to work for Offshore Wind with Environment Maryland because I grew up in a coastal town, directly impacted by sea level rise and climate change. Maryland is the third most vulnerable state to sea level rise, and it is incredibly important to me to do what I can to help protect people living on Maryland’s 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline.

By harnessing clean energy, such as offshore wind, we can limit the impacts from climate change while building a cleaner, healthier world. Maryland is already experiencing the negative impacts of our reliance on fossil fuels exemplified by increased temperatures, polluted air and water, and extreme weather. By transitioning to renewable energy Maryland can build a stronger, safer environment and limit the impacts of climate change. Maryland shouldn’t wait to take advantage of the clean energy resource blowing off its shores.

We can continue to embrace the promise of clean, renewable electricity here in Maryland by maximizing the amount of offshore wind built off the coast. America’s abundant renewable energy resources, coupled with energy efficiency measures and technological advances that have made renewable energy cheaper and better than ever, open the possibility of transitioning our entire economy to run on 100 percent renewable energy.

Awarding these credits would enable Maryland to move towards harnessing its immense offshore wind potential. According to the report, Offshore Wind for America, Maryland has enough technical offshore wind potential to meet 159% of the state’s 2019 electricity usage.

Ultimately, we need to use every possible, available resource to cut carbon emissions and slow the effects of climate change. Offshore wind stands more than ready to take on this challenge.

Offshore wind will help provide renewable electricity to Marylanders, while ensuring cleaner air to breathe and cleaner water to drink. On behalf of Environment Maryland, we ask that you take the next step to maximize the approval of offshore wind in our state. Thank you.