Offshore wind developer US Wind has been quietly, and under the name of one of its subsidiary companies Renewable Redevelopment LLC, going through the process of trying to obtain a conditional use to build a massive electric substation. Four large cables from US Wind’s offshore wind project will come ashore under Sussex County beaches, wetlands and inland bays from its proposed offshore wind turbine project. Sussex County Council is set to consider the application at its 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 30 meeting. US Wind needs federal and state approval to build the turbines. This conditional use is the only opportunity for Sussex County to weigh in.
Due to proceeding under another name, and making no mention in notices of the application’s relationship to the offshore wind project, the public has failed to get adequate legal notice of US Wind’s plans – which have been at least two years in the making – or a fair opportunity to be heard on the pending county proceedings. This was deceptive, and resulted in no public input in the rezoning process. In light of this, we urge Sussex County Council to do the right thing and deny the present application, at least until properly noticed proceedings with opportunities for the public to review the project can take place.
The project should ultimately be denied on its merits as well. While the present application only seeks a zoning change by the county, the entire project is relevant to the public interest of county residents. US Wind’s proposed turbines will dominate the entire shoreline view, leading to lost tourism and lower property values. Noise from construction and operations will harass marine life, risking extinction of whales and other endangered species. Turbines interfere with radar, risking vessel collisions, Coast Guard operations and reduced military security. Commercial fishermen will be forced to abandon fishing in lease areas.
Our recent poll of 14,000 property owners within one mile of the beach found 86% oppose visible turbines. This project, approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, lies off Ocean City. Bringing power ashore and providing suitable substations is Maryland’s problem. Council’s denial should send this back to Maryland to solve.
Let your voice be heard July 30, at county council’s hearing at 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Sussex County Council needs to protect its citizens!
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