Dictator Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21306552/ ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A company seeking to build an offshore wind farm off the Delaware coast has begun discussions about building the wind turbines in Maryland waters, too, according to state and company officials. Bluewater Wind, a New Jersey energy company, wants to put 150 turbines 11 1/2 miles off the coast of the resort town of Ocean City. If approved, the wind farm could one day provide enough power for 110,000 homes, according to Bluewater spokesman James Lanard. "It's very preliminary," Lanard said of talks with Maryland officials. Bluewater has met with aides to Gov. Martin O'Malley and with members of the utility-regulating Public Service Commission. The proposal, first reported Friday by The (Baltimore) Sun, would bring clean energy to Maryland but would change the view from Ocean City's beaches. Even from several miles away, the turbines would be visible from land. Lanard said the turbines would look like "toothpicks," but residents who work on the waterfront had mixed opinions about the possibility of an offshore wind farm. "Energy-wise it would probably be a good thing — but looks-wise, I don't know," said Terri Hathaway, a waitress at Boardwalk Joe's restaurant along the resort's beach. Bluewater Wind is in talks to build the nation's first offshore wind farm off Sussex County, Del., near Rehoboth Beach, Lanard said. If approved, that farm could be completed by 2012 or 2013. O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said Friday that Bluewater officials have just started to talk about a Maryland wind farm with state officials. Approval would be needed from several agencies, from the PSC to the Department of Natural Resources, which would analyze the wind farm's potential effect on wildlife. Abbruzzese said the governor found the wind proposal "an intriguing idea" but wants to learn more about it. "We need to find ways to produce alternative forms of energy," he said. A state environmental group applauded the idea to build turbines off the coast of Ocean City. "Marylanders are becoming widely aware of how vulnerable we are to global warming and sea level rise," said Mike Tidwell of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Tidwell said aesthetic concerns shouldn't block plans to build wind turbines. Waterfront homeowners who opposed view-changing turbines were blamed for stopping wind farm plans in Massachusetts. However, Tidwell said, the alternative of doing nothing to stop global warming is worse. "If you say you don't want a dime-size windmill in the distance, we'll have to abandon all the hotels and all the houses and all the restaurants because the ocean's coming to swallow them," he said. Not all beach denizens worried about the view. Angel Conner, manager of the Shoreham Hotel on Ocean's City's boardwalk, said she doubted people would stop coming to Ocean City because of wind turbines. "I don't think it would affect us, as long as they could still see the water," Conner said. Lanard, the Bluewater spokesman, said the company is aware that wind turbines are a new concept in the United States. He said the company is in no rush to build them because all stakeholders need a chance to learn about the proposal. "It hasn't been done in the United States, so there's no frame of reference and we're trying to introduce the idea to folks," Lanard said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Toothpicks in the distance? I think they can live with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dictator Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 one article I read stated they would be as large as 1/2 the size of your thumbnail in the distance. Either way it's not a bad thing. They alread f'd up the beach and wave patterns with their "beach reclaimation" projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 They have giant windpower machines along the PA turnpike between Pittsburgh and Breezewood. They aren't that ugly. On a train from Amsterdam to Berlin, I saw a ton also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dictator Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-te.md.wind16jul16,0,4941990.story 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Looks like we (Maryland) are moving in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USS Redskins Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 You cant live with a toothpick on the horizon? You are really hard to please. I hope they make more of these things - why not? There are giant electric line towers and cell phone towers all over the entire country - who would object to giant windmills? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellsMyHero28 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Oh noes Marylanders might have specks on the horizon at their precious beaches! Will Ocean City still be the "best beach on the east coast, or any coast for that matter" Mr. Mayor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Rich Fla Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 People worry about messing with the water. Anything they put offshore is great for fish and the like. Those oil rigs in the gulf have created entire eco systems around them. Things that were never there before. Tuna, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, all thrive around OIL rigs. Galviston Texas is rapidly becoming a huge offshore fishing destination. I'd love to have a couple fish attracting devices to go to everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Rich Fla Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Oh noes Marylanders might have specks on the horizon at their precious beaches!Will Ocean City still be the "best beach on the east coast, or any coast for that matter" Mr. Mayor? Nobody here in OC is looking offshore. We're looking at all the booty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellsMyHero28 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Nobody here in OC is looking offshore. We're looking at all the booty! :laugh: The commercial cracks me up. I would find it hard to make a commercial that claimed OC was better than every beach not only on the East coast, but in the world. I guess he's never left Maryland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dictator Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Looks like we (Maryland) are moving in the right direction. Yup. I hate O'Malley just a little less today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 you have to be between the ages of 7 and 20 to see 11 1/2 miles off shore with good vision. approx. 8% of the people might be able to see them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsBry Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I for one, enjoy the sight of windmills on the landscape. There are places in California where there are more windmills than you can count. I was up close to some in the Kahuku Mountains and they sound pretty cool when they're going. It's clean, safe energy. I'd like to see pictures of the people that claim that windmills are eyesores. I'm willing to bet that many of them aren't exactly easy on the eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 i thought they said there are 6000 rigs in the gulf of mexico that could handle the windmills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bschurm Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 First off, I support this as I do many different forms of energy, including oil. My question is this, how many of you who support these wind machines, do not support offshore drilling because of the rigs of the coast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedlightG20 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 People worry about messing with the water. Anything they put offshore is great for fish and the like. Those oil rigs in the gulf have created entire eco systems around them. Things that were never there before. Tuna, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, all thrive around OIL rigs. Galviston Texas is rapidly becoming a huge offshore fishing destination. I'd love to have a couple fish attracting devices to go to everyday. If this is true then future white marlin opens should be pretty interesting in OC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Ughhh, anyone who complains that an alternative energy source would be an eyesore should be shot. This country has run out of time and can no longer afford to care about people's feelings about their ocean view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulane Skins Fan Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Maybe I'm weird, but I sorta think they look cool. Although, I have heard that they are kinda loud? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulane Skins Fan Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 First off, I support this as I do many different forms of energy, including oil. My question is this, how many of you who support these wind machines, do not support offshore drilling because of the rigs of the coast? I'll support this, but not offshore drilling. But the offshore drilling doesn't have anything to do with the looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 People need to get over that whole "unsightliness" bullcrap. How is seeing a 'toothpick' in the distance somehow worse than seeing rusty ship after rusty ship all day on the horizon? WTF? There will ALWAYS be something that is "unsightly". And then... there's always photoshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 If this is true then future white marlin opens should be pretty interesting in OC It is definitely true, that is some of the best and most consistent deepwater fishing here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corcaigh Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I don't know why people would object to a windmill on the horizon when great ugly tankers and container ships are steaming back and forward all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Rich Fla Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 If this is true then future white marlin opens should be pretty interesting in OC I'm tellin ya! If we had a dozen or so oil rigs and fan things off the coast the whiteys would be climbing out of the water. I built 7 fads out of rope and a float at the top. Anchored it to the bottom where they disappeared completely out of sight. The fishing around those things the past year is MONEY. I say let em put anything they want out there. It'll just improve the life in and on the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Rich Fla Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 First off, I support this as I do many different forms of energy, including oil. My question is this, how many of you who support these wind machines, do not support offshore drilling because of the rigs of the coast? Put them both out there! That'll just give us more to fish around. Especially here in OC. Everyone here loves chunking for tuna. If we had a few oilrigs to go to it wouldn't even be fair. look on youtube for oil rig fishing. I bet you'll find something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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