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Ocean Pines environmental committee declines to take position on proposed offshore wind area
Summary
After a lengthy discussion of environmental, fisheries and economic concerns, the Ocean Pines Environmental/Natural Assets Committee decided not to take a formal position on a proposed offshore wind area; the interim chair will draft a response to the advisory request and share it with members.
The Ocean Pines Environmental/Natural Assets Committee agreed not to take a formal position on a proposed offshore wind development after members described competing environmental, economic and fisheries concerns.
The committee’s interim chair (Speaker 1) told members she would draft a response to a request from Marty (Martin) Clark and circulate it for comment. "We don't think there's enough information for us to take a position either way," Speaker 1 said, citing both limited local data and the political dimensions of the proposal.
Members debated the issue at length. Speaker 5 said the matter is "very complex" and that while wind power can be beneficial, it also "affects the marine environment." Speaker 6 argued the topic is politicized and suggested the committee avoid taking sides: "I would not recommend stepping into this, personally or as part of this committee," Speaker 6 said. Speaker 7 summarized materials shown at a public briefing and noted a slide that displayed a cost figure for offshore wind: "It's a $127 per giga megawatt hour," the member said, and cautioned that the industry must be weighed against local fisheries and shipping lanes.
Speakers also raised potential impacts on boating, fishing access and birds. Speaker 7 said fishers expressed concern that large turbine fields could limit access to traditional fishing grounds, and other members cited uncertainty in wildlife impacts and that BOEM (the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) plans monitoring. Several speakers noted that nonprofit Coastal Bays could not endorse policy positions but provided technical information.
Following discussion the committee reached consensus not to adopt a formal stance and asked the interim chair to prepare a short, factual response to the advisory request for the board, rather than a formal endorsement or opposition. The committee did not record a formal roll-call vote for this guidance beyond the stated consensus.
Next steps: the interim chair will draft and circulate the letter to Marty Clark and committee members; the matter may be raised to the Ocean Pines Association board for their consideration.
