MD House GOP Calls for Moratorium on Offshore Wind Development
Citing both environmental and national security concerns, the Maryland House Republican Caucus sent a letter to Maryland’s Federal Delegation urging them to call for a moratorium on offshore wind development until the completion of an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GA0).
The letter references scientific data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as information from the United States Department of Defense.
A copy of the letter was also sent to Governor Wes Moore.
“While the goal of achieving cleaner energy is important, we do not believe it should be at the expense of our marine life and our national security. In May of this year, 50 mayors across Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware expressed similar concerns. We know the majority of the Maryland Delegation has enthusiastically advocated for the rapid expansion of offshore wind projects, and we are writing to ask that you momentarily change course and consider these significant unintended consequences.
It is our understanding that, at the request of some of your Congressional colleagues, the Government Accountability Office will be investigating the effects of offshore wind development. We respectfully request the entirety of Maryland’s federal delegation to call for a moratorium on the development of offshore wind projects on the East Coast of the United States until this investigation is completed.
If we, as a society, have made the choice to industrialize our oceans, we must do so with the utmost caution. History is full of examples where mankind rushed in headfirst without looking and the consequences have been devastating. We can, and must, do better. We implore you to add your voices to the many calling for a moratorium on offshore wind.”
