Enough wind energy is available off the mid-Atlantic coast to provide most of the electricity needed by the coastal states including Maryland.
New Jersey, Delaware and now Rhode Island have all signed contracts to start development.
Maryland needs to keep its eyes on the prize. We are not talking about scattered and isolated wind farms. We are talking about using large parts of the shallow waters of the continental shelf. Building out this extensive new offshore wind system will require many years.
That means decades of work — careers — for local taxpayers in skilled manufacturing and maritime construction. The on-shore support for these activities will be concentrated in a few places, perhaps using existing, under-utilized labor and plant.
Governor O’Malley understands what is at stake. In May, he joined nine other governors in a letter advocating expansion of off-shore wind.
