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Bluewater Wind’s proposal for an off-shore wind farm has been postponed indefinitely.
A decision on the proposal by four state agencies was expected Tuesday, Dec. 18, but without consensus, the decision has instead been tabled.
Wind farm supporters who filled the Wesley College theater in Dover were shocked and disappointed when the decision was announced, but they insisted they will now turn to lobbying for a consensus on the plan.
Wind power contractor Bluewater Wind spokesman Jim Lanard said he remains optimistic about the project, while Delmarva Power officials said they are pleased all options are still on the table.
J.J. Davis of the Office of Management and Budget followed Public Service Commission (PSC) chairwoman Arnetta McRae's opening comments. Davis said she believed all four of the involved agencies were interested in Bluewater Wind's proposal and in renewable energy. Davis asked until the state agencies had a consensus, that the proposed power purchase agreement be put on hold.
Mike Protack, Republican candidate for governor, shook his head as the vote was taken. "This is a big disappointment. The longer we wait, the less chance it will happen. I don’t know what other information can come out about this," he said.
Rehoboth Beach resident and Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) John Hughes spoke out in support of the wind farm before the vote was taken and said requiring consensus among four agencies is frustrating. Without a unanimous decision, the project would have been shelved for good.
After the hearing he said that during the proceedings, it would not have been prudent for him to take a strong position. "But, I have a strong position, and after all the delays, the public needs to know where its environmental agency stands," Hughes said.
Off-shore wind power is superior to any other renewable energy prospect that may come Delaware's way, Hughes said. "We have a wonderful offshore wind resource, a real proposal, and a great contractor, Babcock and Brown is the best," said Hughes who called wind power the best option for environmental policy and for risk management.
"Bluewater remains optimistic that we will be able to overcome any concerns the legislature has," Lanard said. "This project is too important for Delaware, for the environment, and for ratepayers to get hung up over some concerns. We are very confident we can get to the finish line with this," said Lanard.
The members of the state agencies did not identify their concerns about the proposal. Gary Stockbridge, president of Delmarva Power, said that his company has its own issues with the wind farm. Delmarva Power has maintained that the cost of the wind farm should be spread across all power users in the state and not carried by its standard offer service customers, who use just 28 percent of the state's electricity. "We have been in favor of taking our time and doing this right from day one," said Stockbridge.
Others felt that the decision was an opportunity missed. "We are terribly disappointed. Delaware had a chance to step up and do the right thing and missed the chance," said Joan Deaver of Citizens for a Better Sussex. Deaver, a Rehoboth resident, said, "We won't have a chance to look at the windmills."
While the proposal has been tabled, it has not been eliminated. Bill Zak of Citizens for Clean Power said his group will step up its lobbying and educational efforts to try to help build a consensus.
Contact Leah Hoenen at leah@capegazette.com
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