Winds

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.

The O'Malley administration invited Maryland's colleges and universities on Monday to bid for $2 million in grants to research issues around developing an offshore wind energy project off Ocean City. The announcement by the Maryland Energy Administration and the Maryland Higher Education Commission comes on the eve of the first hearing in Annapolis on Gov. Martin O'Malley's offshore wind legislation.  The House Economic Matters Committee is scheduled to take up the governor's bill, which would have the state's residential electricity ratepayers pay up to $1.50 a month to subsidize a 200-megawatt wind project, estimated to cost $1 billion or more.

A winter weather advisory expired about 9:30 a.m. Friday across the Baltimore area, after flurries fell during the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service. Cold and windy conditions are expected through the rest of the day, with snow showers possible in the afternoon. Accumulation reports range from a dusting to an inch or more . Snowfall totals include half an inch at Cylburn Arboretum, 0.8 inches in Catonsville, 0.2 inches in Long Green, 0.7 inches in Severn and 1 inch in Pasadena.

Colder temperatures are returning to the Baltimore area Thursday after a cold front passed through the region overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Some lingering rain showers are possible early as that system moves on, but partly cloudy skies are expected for the rest of the day, with highs in the mid-40s. Windy conditions with 20-30 mph breezes and up to 50 mph gusts are in the forecast, making temperatures feel like the 30s. A wind advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. The conditions were causing widespread power outages.

Wind gusts as high as 49 mph have shut down the Bay Bridge in Anne Arundel County to vulnerable large trucks, as weather conditions make for a problematic Thursday morning commute. Debris in the roadway has shut down the southbound ramp and one of two southbound shoulders of Route 295 and Route 198 on Anne Arundel County. Debris is also causing delays on Route 10 southbound at Furnace Branch Road. In Baltimore County, a collision is blocking traffic on the outer loop of Interstate 695 at exit 39 for Merritt Boulevard.

The primary motivation among environmentalists for developing wind energy is legitimate concern about the effects of climate change. Wind is alleged to provide important relief from the emission of carbon dioxide from electricity production. But without this alleged benefit, wind's unpredictability, cost, environmental damage and intrusiveness would make it a poor choice. The Maryland General Assembly has debated offshore wind's merits for two sessions but has not been persuaded to approve a way to finance a facility, and is about to debate it once again.

Wind restrictions have been issued for the Bay Bridge by the Maryland Transportation as a cold front pushing through the region is expected to generate strong winds. Two-way traffic has been eliminated on the eastbound span for Wednesday afternoon and evening and motorists should anticipate rush-hour delays, officials said. Under a wind warning, where gusts or sustained winds reach 30-39 mph, drivers of high-profile vehicles - such as box trailers - and motorcycles and vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo are urged to use caution.