The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) says the Business Network for Offshore Wind has been awarded $1.25 million to develop and implement an offshore wind experience hub on the eastern shore of Maryland.
The FY23 Open Energy Grant Program aims to address the public’s lack of awareness and education about offshore wind.
Governor Wes Moore discussed this announcement and other offshore wind energy initiatives at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum. To move Maryland forward in its clean energy goals, the governor further outlined MEA’s focus on funding those projects that will advance offshore wind and prioritize wind energy partnerships.
“MEA’s Open program continues to foster new and unique ideas to Maryland’s clean energy landscape,” says Paul Pinsky, director of the Maryland energy administration. “With partners like the Business Network for Offshore Wind, we can further educate and showcase the benefits of the offshore wind market.”
The primary audience for this project will be school-aged children from elementary through high school and will educate the public using a variety of programming catered to all ages, educational levels and abilities.
This project will also work with partners in Maryland that include the Maryland Institute College of Arts Center for Social Design, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, U.S. Wind and Orsted to design, implement and integrate the hub into school programs, such as career and technical education and field trips.
The physical center will contain educational and interactive exhibits in the areas of economic benefits, workforce development, physics and engineering, earth science and environmental and wildlife science. Programming and education will be open to all communities to break traditional barriers to education, such as income levels.
“For years, the network has envisioned bringing this education center to Maryland in order to connect with the public about the offshore wind industry’s benefits to the State of Maryland and its economy,” says Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
The MEA Open Energy Grant Program was created to provide funding opportunities to projects that promote affordable, reliable, resilient and clean energy but fall outside of MEA’s current grant program portfolio. This grant will receive funding from MEA’s Offshore Wind Business Development Fund.
