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Mike Dunmyer to lead local outreach efforts for US Wind

Offshore developer awarded energy credits to build 270 MW facility off Maryland coast
May 28, 2021

US Wind, an offshore wind developer looking to build off the coast of Maryland, recently announced the hiring of Lewes resident and former Dewey Beach Commissioner Mike Dunmyer.

According to a press release from the company May 5, Dunmyer will lead community liaison efforts in Delaware as the state’s development manager.

Over the past few years, when it comes to proposed wind farms, coastal Delawareans have primarily been focused on Ørsted’s Skipjack Wind Farm, a 120-megawatt wind farm that could be built in an area of federal waters stretching from Bethany Beach to Rehoboth Beach.

US Wind acquired an 80,000-acre federal lease area off Maryland’s coast in 2014. In 2017, the company was awarded Offshore Renewable Energy Credits to build a 270 MW offshore wind facility in their lease area.

According to US Wind’s website, plans call for installing 32 turbines in 20 to 30 meters of water, 17 miles offshore. The project is anticipated to come online in 2024, with an operational life expectancy of more than 25 years, says the website.

US Wind CEO Jeff Grybowski said sharing information about the project and hearing from neighbors are some of the highest priorities the company has.

“As we work to provide clean energy, good-paying jobs, and environmental benefits to the greater Delmarva region, Mike and Dave’s outreach will be a critical component of US Wind’s success,” said Grybowski, in a prepared statement.

Following a career as a senior executive for a Fortune 50 company, Dunmyer served as executive director for Ocean Champions, a bipartisan political organization focused solely on ocean health.

During his time as commissioner, Dunmyer worked with the Center for the Inland Bays to address Dewey’s tidal flooding problems. Dunmyer has also served on the board of directors for the National Aquarium and Center for the Inland Bays. Dunmyer has an MBA from Duke University and a BA in economics from Washington and Lee University. 

“I’m honored to bring my business experience, passion for the ocean, and love of the Delaware coast to US Wind,” said Dunmyer, in a prepared statement. “I share US Wind’s commitment to responsibly providing clean energy to the Delmarva region.”

US Wind also announced the hiring of Dave Wilson, a longtime resident of Worcester County, Md., as the Maryland development manager.

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