US Wind Receives Final Approval for Maryland Offshore Wind Farm Construction

Maryland’s Department of the Environment, Air, and Radiation Administration has given the green light for the commencement of construction of US Wind’s proposed offshore wind farm. This significant project has successfully obtained all required state and local permits after a rigorous four-year review process. Despite obtaining the necessary approvals, the project is facing opposition from local communities and potential challenges from the Trump administration following the end of the Biden administration.

US Wind, a partnership between investors managed by Apollo Global Management and Renexia from Italy, secured an 80,000-acre lease from the federal government in 2014. The project aims to build up to 114 wind turbines generating between 1.8 and 2 GW of power in two phases. Additionally, it includes the construction of four offshore substation platforms, a meteorological tower, and up to four offshore export cable corridors.

The proposed offshore wind farm is situated approximately 10 miles offshore from Ocean City, Maryland, a popular tourist destination. However, the project has faced opposition from Ocean City residents due to concerns about its impact on tourism and ocean fishing. Similarly, residents in Delaware have objected to the plan to bring a cable ashore in their state.

While the Trump administration has been vocal in its opposition to offshore wind projects, the US Wind project in Maryland has not garnered as much attention as other similar projects. In contrast, New Jersey saw the withdrawal of a federal air quality permit for an offshore wind project, and New York faced challenges with permits for the Empire Wind project.

US Wind has obtained all necessary approvals to begin construction, although there are pending legal cases challenging these approvals. Maryland law allows for an appeal of the recent approval, which could lead to a judicial review if filed by the July 14 deadline. Despite potential obstacles, US Wind CEO Jeff Grybowski expressed satisfaction with securing the final permit and emphasized the project’s benefits, looking forward to its successful completion.