Gov. Martin O'Malley threw his support yesterday behind a wind farm off the coast of Delaware - a clean energy-generating system that could eventually extend to the waters off Ocean City.
Maryland's support for the turbines 11 to 12 miles off Rehoboth Beach could be crucial toward launching the United States' first offshore wind energy project - one that potentially could produce enough power for hundreds of thousands of homes.
O'Malley's statement of interest in offshore wind power came in response to questions at a news conference about his position on President Bush's decision to lift an executive order prohibiting oil drilling off most of the U.S. coastline, a move that leaves a congressionally imposed ban in place.
The governor rejected Bush's position in harsh terms - calling the argument that it would help lower fuel prices "patently false" - before volunteering that the proposed project off the Delaware coast is "one offshore effort I would like to go in on."
While O'Malley did not explicitly endorse wind turbines off the Maryland coast, his comments reflected a willingness to consider such a proposal. His top energy adviser confirmed that building a field of turbines off Ocean City was one of several options under consideration.
O'Malley said he had talked with Delaware's Lt. Gov. John Carney at a National Governors' Association conference over the weekend and expressed his willingness to have Maryland participate in the Bluewater Wind project off the Delaware coast.
By encouraging Maryland utilities to purchase electricity generated by offshore turbines, the state could help the project achieve the economies of scale it needs to be viable, officials familiar with the proposal say.
The Bluewater Wind project has been the subject of discussion for years, but the proposed wind farm of about 60 turbines cleared important regulatory and legislative hurdles in Delaware only within the past month.
If it receives federal environmental approval, the project could be up and running by 2012.
Carney, a Democrat who is running for governor, said he sought out O'Malley at the governors meeting to discuss the project. "He was very positive and very excited about the opportunity," Carney said.
The Delaware official said the wind energy project makes the most sense as a regional endeavor.
"It would be a big deal for both Maryland and Delaware if the folks in Maryland decide to piggyback on our project," Carney said.
