Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall recently commented that offshore wind energy goes into the grid, in response to the Chancery Court’s ruling. While that is technically true, it leaves out the most important parts of the discussion, especially given that she sponsored the legislation that overrode Sussex County’s decision to deny an electric substation for US Wind’s offshore project and led to this outcome.
That grid is PJM, a regional system serving the entire Mid-Atlantic. Once power enters it, it is not directed to Delaware, but distributed based on regional demand. Delaware makes up roughly 1.5% of that demand. This is not a project built to serve us, yet we are the ones being asked to accept the local impacts.
The real issue is how the costs are handled. While Maryland ratepayers fund the project itself, the transmission and grid upgrades required to support it are often spread across the entire PJM region. That means Delaware customers can end up paying for infrastructure tied to a project they did not approve, while Maryland receives the primary benefits, including renewable energy credits that lower their costs. That imbalance deserves more attention than it’s getting.
Rep. Snyder-Hall argues this project is necessary to meet growing energy demand, but much of that demand is being driven by decisions outside Delaware. Northern Virginia, also part of PJM, is rapidly expanding data centers that are significantly increasing regional demand. This is not a problem created by Delaware, yet we are being asked to bear the consequences.
That same imbalance applies to the environmental impact. Installing the offshore substation and related infrastructure will disturb the ocean floor and surrounding habitat. I am strongly opposed to damaging the very ecosystems we claim to be protecting. Sacrificing the environment in the name of going green defeats the purpose.
Delaware residents deserve transparency about both the costs and consequences of projects like this before being told to accept them.
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