Winds

Moving Gov. Martin O'Malley one step closer to a long-sought victory, the House of Delegates gave preliminary approval Wednesday to legislation intended to foster development of an offshore wind industry off Ocean City. The legislation advanced after delegates decisively rejected a flurry of amendments by Republican opponents of the measure, who objected to subsidizing the emerging industry. O'Malley contend the measure would help diversify Maryland's electricity supply, promote the use of renewable energy and create jobs.

A blustery day is forecast in the Baltimore area Wednesday with wind chills making temperatures rarely feel warmer than the mid-20s, according to the National Weather Service. A 15-20 mph breeze is expected, with gusts of 30-35 mph. Temperatures are expected to start around freezing and not rise much higher, only to the upper 30s. The wind should make it feel 10 degrees colder. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast for the day, clearing overnight into Thursday. Lows Wednesday night are expected in the mid-20s with wind chills in the mid-teens.

For the Orioles, today marks the first of two straight days of intrasquad games in advance of the opening of the Grapefruit League season Saturday. For a manager like Orioles skipper Buck Showalter, the time here in camp has gone by too quickly. He's eager to see players actually play in games, but Showalter is a teacher, and he really relishes this time of spring, when he can instruct players on drills he believes will make them a better team throughout the season. I asked Showalter after Tuesday's workout if he believed he or the players were getting to the point where they had enough of the drills and wanted to start the games.

The Steelworkers union local at Sparrows Point has been taken over by its parent organization, a standard practice when a steel mill closes. United Steelworkers Local 9477 was put into "administratorship" in January, according to Jim Strong, the Baltimore-area director for the USW International. Strong has been appointed to oversee the local while it winds down operations. "They've begun the dissolution process, basically," said Chris MacLarion, vice president of the local at Sparrows Point before it was taken over.

The Baltimore area could see some snow showers Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS is predicting scattered snow showers, mainly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, according to its early Sunday morning forecast. Sunday's forecast calls for a high near 38 with winds out of the northwest moving between 14 and 22 mph. Wind gusts could climb as high as 36 mph. Sunday has a 23 percent chance of precipitation. If snow does come, it will be less than a half inch, the NWS said.

With hope of having better luck this year, Gov. Martin O'Malley went before the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday to pitch his plan for boosting offshore wind energy projects off Maryland's coast. Appearing more than 20 mintues late, the governor urged the panel to act on his bill, which he said would help fight climate change, stimulate clean energy and make Maryland the hub of a new renewable industry. "This legislation is important to our energy future, to our jobs future and therefore important to our children's future," he said.

The sentiment of the commentary, "Nuclear blows away wind" (Feb. 1) worries me. As a District of Columbia resident, I see Maryland as a leader capable of bringing offshore wind to the entire region. First, offshore wind farms will not be developed if they are not economical based on the physical resource, so paving the way for wind is not a gamble. Let's provide incentives and then let the (somewhat more) level playing field take over. Second, offshore wind energy is not a cure for climate change.

Your recent commentary on climate change continues the politically correct approach to the problem of global warming and its solutions without approaching the reality of what has been accomplished and what the underlying issues are ("Forecast calls for pain," Feb. 6). Carbon dioxide production cannot be measured; it can be calculated by analyzing components in effluent streams from boilers and actual feed streams of fuel, which vary in composition, boiler efficiency, excess air and an infinite number of other variables.

High winds are forecast across the region Saturday with a gale warning in effect on the Chesapeake Bay until noon, according to the National Weather Service. A gale warning means winds of 34 to 47 knots (39 to 54 mph) are expected. Forecasters say that could mean dangerous conditions for anyone venturing out onto the bay, especially in smaller boats. Even after the gale subsides, condtions will remain treacherous for inexperienced sailors, according to the Weather Service. In response to conditions, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is operating under a wind warning, with the Maryland Transportation Authority urging drivers to use caution while crossing.