As Gov. Matt Meyer emphasized in his Jan. 22 State of the State address, we need to set politics aside when it comes to offshore wind. Rising energy costs affect all of us, regardless of where our loyalty resides.
There's a reason some toss myths and speculation to see what sticks; the facts are simply not on their side.
Let's take the claim that wind turbines will be detrimental to beach tourism. Studies from areas with existing offshore wind farms show no adverse impacts and, in some cases, demonstrate a net benefit. We already have cargo ships, ad boats, ad planes and recreational boats running up and down our coast throughout the summer, so I know it will take a lot more than turbines the same color as a cloud, ones you have to squint to see, to deter people from visiting our beautiful beach towns.
Here's what we actually know. US Wind's project would generate over 1.7 gigawatts of power, which would satisfy almost two-thirds of Delaware’s current energy demand (no, the power won’t go to Maryland, as it will be delivered wholesale into the PJM grid, and used up and down the peninsula). The project also would bring more than $590 million in economic benefits to our state, strengthen our local grid, create good-paying jobs, lower electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions, a cause of extreme weather, by over 4 million tons every year.
After more than a decade of environmental and regulatory review, including sign-off from the Department of Defense, this project is ready to go; meanwhile, our electricity bills keep climbing.
As a long-term Delawarean, I'm ready for real solutions. States that have invested in wind energy already are seeing the benefits. Gov. Meyer is right; this renewable energy project can and must be part of the answer.
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