* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Middleton
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Approve Offshore Wind Farms in Maryland
For the purpose of urging the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve one or both proposals to build offshore wind projects in Maryland, creating a Maryland-based manufacturing hub for the wind industry that will bring significant economic benefits to the State and the City of Baltimore while also displacing polluting sources of energy and helping Maryland achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals.
body
Recitals
The Maryland Public Service Commission is reviewing two proposals to build offshore wind farm projects off Ocean City, Maryland. US Wind, Inc. plans to build a 748-megawatt offshore wind farm. Skipjack Offshore Wind, LLC, a subsidiary of Deepwater Wind Holdings, proposes a 120-megawatt project.
Both applicants have referenced Sparrows Point in Baltimore County as the site of a future assembly/manufacturing plant for their operations.
These proposals present Maryland, and Baltimore in particular, with the opportunity to become a hub for the still-nascent offshore wind industry. Industry experts advise that manufacturing incentives need to be coupled with a stable, long-term market in order to bring manufacturing facilities to the United States. A large commitment to offshore wind power would position the state to take advantage of this opportunity.
The Public Service Commission found that development, construction, and operation of the first phase of the US Wind project (248 megawatts) would create 7,050 jobs over 20 years (measured in full-time equivalents). Over the same 20-year span, the project is estimated to generate $1.354 billion in economic activity for the state, much of which will take place in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
The Public Service Commission found that development, construction, and operation of the Skipjack project would create 2,635 jobs over 20 years (measured in full-time equivalents). Over the 20-year span, the project is estimated to generate $536.4 million in economic activity for the state, much of which will take place in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
The U.S. Department of Energy has found that jobs associated with the offshore wind industry have average annual earnings (including benefits) of $141,000 with supply chain job holders earning an estimated $78,000 annually and induced jobs providing approximately $57,000.
A commitment to offshore wind energy would displace polluting sources of energy, improving air quality across the state and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As an urban center and a port city, Baltimore has high potential for being heavily impacted by climate change. Climate change impacts - increased temperatures, more extreme heat days, changing precipitation patterns, and excessive cooling power demand - are becoming a reality for the City of Baltimore.
State and local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution are important contributions to overall emissions reductions. The State of Maryland has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 2006 levels by 2030. Baltimore City has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent below 2010 levels citywide by 2020.
Part of Maryland’s plan to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goal is a Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires Maryland to get 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Increased clean energy generation can displace some of the most polluting energy in the state, much of which is generated in and around Baltimore.
These proposals offer the creation of a Maryland-based manufacturing hub for the wind industry that will bring significant economic benefits to the State and the City of Baltimore while also displacing polluting sources of energy and helping Maryland achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council urges the Maryland Public Service Commission to approve one or both proposals to build offshore wind projects in Maryland, creating a Maryland-based manufacturing hub for the wind industry that will bring significant economic benefits to the State and the City of Baltimore while also displacing polluting sources of energy and helping Maryland achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chair and Commissioners of the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Mayor, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.