Offshore Wind
Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act (HB 1054):
I was the lead sponsor in the House of Governor O’Malley’s legislation to support Maryland’s budding offshore wind industry. According to recent reports by the Abell Foundation, Maryland could generate up to two-thirds of its energy from wind power and become a net exporter of energy if it aggressively pursues renewable wind. In these uncertain economic times, offshore wind would add thousands of jobs to Maryland’s green workforce, help stabilize electric utility rates and move our country towards energy independence. Despite feverish efforts to persuade my colleagues and a heroic advocacy effort by Takoma Park’s Mike Tidwell and others, we fell a vote or two short of passage in both the House and Senate Committees, but advocates have already begun to work on its passage in 2012. Read more about our efforts on this bill in Business Week.
(Photo: Del. Hucker and Gov. O’Malley testify to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1054.)