Ocean City, a resort town in the US state of Maryland, has stated that it would sue the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) if it gives a favourable record of decision to US Wind’s project.
In a city council meeting, mayor Rick Meehan stated that the town’s stance continues to be against the project but that the state of Delaware, which borders the town, is still not against the project even though it does affect them.
The final environmental impact assessment for the Maryland Offshore Wind project was given to US Wind on July 29. If approved and completed, the project could generate between 1.1 and 2.2GW of energy for the Delmarva Peninsula where Ocean City is located and could power up to 770,000 homes.
“This totally industrializes the horizon off the coast of Ocean City. They will be visible. The sunrise will never be the same,” Meehan said, adding that the project would negatively impact “the area’s charm”.
He continued by saying that the town hired a law firm to assist the town in suing BOEM and co-plaintiffs from the town have signed on for it.
Dave Wilson, Maryland development manager for US Wind, claims that the project will not endanger marine life and that all the good science as well as decades of experience in Europe will not allow it to happen.
However, for the town, BOEM’s review process and its consideration of local concerns are the major points of contention as the project could potentially lead to reduced tourism and revenue for the town.
“We’re basically suing on the basis of the final report and their opinion and what they’re stating as the reasons for their approval,” Meehan added. He also believes that the turbines could negatively affect fishing in the area.
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