January 28, 2020

Jason Stanek
Chairman
Maryland Public Service Commission
6 St Paul St #1600
Baltimore, MD 21202

Dear Chairman Stanek:

We are very alarmed by the recent decision of the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC)
to grant the request by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to further delay the overdue
approval of offshore wind turbines on our Atlantic coast by opening a limited inquiry into two
previously-approved wind farm projects. Slowing these important projects flouts the expressed
will of the elected leadership of our state, hinders Maryland’s efforts to fight climate change and
disadvantages our state economy.

Montgomery County residents have long been committed to renewable energy, and our elected
officials have helped lead the efforts to expanding Maryland’s adoption. When Councilmember
Hucker served in Annapolis, he was the lead House sponsor of legislation to authorize offshore
wind farms, introduced as ​Public Service Commission - Long-Term Power Purchasing
Agreements - Renewable Energy​ in 2010 and the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act in 2011,
2012 and 2013, at which point it was finally passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov.
Martin O’Malley. Sen. Brian Feldman sponsored 2019’s successful legislation to expand the
Renewable Portfolio Standard. And Del. Lorig Charkoudian sponsored the RPS bill in the House
and testified at your recent Ocean City meeting to urge you to move these vital offshore wind
projects forward.

Offshore wind energy offers tremendous untapped potential to produce electricity in an

environmentally-sustainable way and is a tremendous boost to our economy. Maryland’s
Atlantic coastal shelf offers an ideal location for such technology, one most states would envy.
Maryland’s proposed offshore wind projects are estimated to create nearly 10,000 direct and
indirect jobs and yield almost $2 billion worth of in-state spending.
The benefits of wind energy are obvious, especially in Maryland, one of the states most
vulnerable to climate change. It is environmentally irresponsible and economically damaging to
further delay these thoroughly-scrutinized projects. We must do all that we can to embrace
renewable energy sources and move away from fossil fuels.

We urge the PSC to uphold the will of the 2013 Maryland General Assembly and the
Governor and their authorization of offshore wind renewable energy credits to facilitate
the construction of Maryland’s wind farms off our Atlantic coast.

Thank you for embracing sustainable solutions to our state’s energy needs.

Sincerely,