What Maryland's offshore wind project could mean for Delaware and how residents feel
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the cables will not be exposed either in the water or on land and would connect directly to the proposed substation near the Indian River Power Plant.
Delaware's potential involvement in a Maryland offshore wind project was the subject of a three-hour-long joint hearing hosted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on Tuesday night, which included hours of public comments.
The proposed project at the center of the debate would install wind turbines off the Delmarva coast to provide renewable energy to Maryland. It also relies on access to Delaware's shore – and multiple permits from DNREC.
Wind energy company US Wind Inc. said that its proposed wind farm will need to run export cables under Delaware-regulated wetlands, state waters and the Indian River Bay. The cables would make landfall at the 3Rs Beach near the parking lot, though they would be completely buried, and connect underground to a proposed substation near the Indian River Power Plant, according to US Wind Inc.'s proposal and DNREC.
DNREC informed the public of US Wind Inc.'s permit application on April 28. Since then, over 100 people and organizations have submitted public comments to DNREC, with many more voicing their opinions to the department on Zoom during Tuesday's public hearing.
BACKGROUND: Upcoming public information sessions on Delaware’s offshore wind projects
What are residents concerned about?
Many coastal residents raised concerns over the turbines' effect on the natural beauty of the beaches, which they said could affect both Delawareans and tourists. Others pointed to potential harm to native wildlife and a lack of preparedness in the case of emergencies.
"We can't afford to let this happen before we get all the answers," said Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger during public comment. "It's going to be an economic and environmental disaster, and Delaware is going to be left holding that legacy."
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Magdeburger and other hearing attendees said they felt they were not adequately informed about the project and its impacts, even after a DNREC-hosted information session. One Ocean View resident called the plan "a massive win for Maryland and a massive loss for Delaware."
However, for every commenter calling the project into question, a roughly equal amount shared their support of the proposal.
What do supporters say?
Leaders of environmental advocacy organizations like the Chesapeake Conservancy and the Delaware chapter of the Sierra Club urged DNREC to give US Wind Inc. the necessary permits, pointing to the positive impacts of wind farms on climate change and regional air quality.
Proponents of Delaware's involvement in the project also said that if US Wind Inc. follows its construction plan as proposed, native wildlife will not be harmed. The permit application outlines specific dates and times for construction of the cables and substation so as not to interfere with migration patterns.
"We do not have to trade the health of our ocean environment for the health of offshore wind or for the health of our planet," a Sierra Club Delaware Chapter organizer said during the hearing.
DNREC will continue to accept public comments through Sept. 9. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to [email protected], using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments or by U.S. mail addressed to Lisa Vest, DNREC Office of the Secretary, at 86 Kings Highway in Dover, DE 19901.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at [email protected]. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Offshore wind farm center of public debate at Delaware hearing
