Winds of change

Against the fitting backdrop of a clear sky and strong breeze, about a dozen MaryPIRG members rallied at the Statehouse yesterday to support offshore wind energy legislation.

The students, along with representatives from 13 other colleges, constituted a crowd of about 80 activists who attended a Lobby Day in Annapolis to voice their support for the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act — a bill that would incentivize development of more green offshore energy sources — and to speak directly with state legislators.

Gov. Martin O'Malley told the crowd, many of whom were armed with spinning cardboard windmills and pro-wind energy signs, that he backs the bill.

"We're here because we understand there is a connection between what we do or fail to do in one generation and the life that will be enjoyed by the next," O'Malley said. "Thank you for pushing us to do what's right not only for the next election, but also for the next generation."

The Energy Information Administration estimates the bill — which would incentivize the development of between 50 and 100 wind turbines that would generate up to 500 megawatts of offshore wind capacity — would create enough energy to power half the homes on the state's eastern shore or more than a third of the homes in Baltimore City. Currently, there are no offshore wind farms operating in North America.

The act will be discussed at a House hearing this afternoon. However, O'Malley was quick to point out yesterday that while the long-term benefits of offshore wind energy are significant, the project will not move as fast as some would hope.

"Once you make the investment, once you make the choice, nature keeps giving you the resource for free," O'Malley said. "It won't happen overnight, but we can make it happen."

MaryPIRG campaign coordinator Sam Rivers helped organize yesterday's rally, in conjunction with Maryland Student Climate Coalition and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, as part of its renewable wind energy initiative.

David Bransfield, MaryPIRG's chapter chairman, said the campaign is more than just lobbying and rallying.

"When we have kids, this campaign will have affected their lives," he said last week at the organization's kick-off meeting. "We can't let the state die."

Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery) said citizens must educate themselves on the detriments of fossil-fuel energy to make an informed choice about supporting the legislation.

"We have to decide if we want to keep our homes heated and our lights turned on by continuing to use dirty fossil fuels that harm the environment and create public health concerns, or invest in offshore wind energy that will create jobs, help us meet our long-term energy goals and allow us to lessen the impact of climate change," Mizeur said.

However, several organizations, including the state's Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Conservation Council and the Maryland Farm Bureau, oppose the bill, which did not pass in the last legislative session because of concerns that offshore wind farms would be too costly an undertaking for many utility companies. Consumers would also likely see their electricity rates increase, although the bill caps increases at $2 a month.

CCAN Campus Organizer Megan Jenny said it is still important for the state to invest in wind energy to eventually eliminate petroleum.

"You can only fight against dirty fossil fuels for so long without having an alternative," Jenny said. "Offshore wind is the best alternative for Maryland."

She said her focus now is on expanding CCAN's efforts to universities that have not yet thrown their support behind renewable wind energy.

"We are still working on campuses to convince presidents and administrators to support offshore wind," Jenny said. "Campuses are huge energy customers, so hearing from them means a lot."

Del. Ben Barnes (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George's) said the only way that investment will happen is if the project's supporters continue to develop new ideas.

"We've got to be people who continue to think big," he said. "Unless we start down this road and help encourage this kind of technology, we're never going to get there."

sinclair@umdbk.com