The Maryland Public Service Commission has retained law firm Kaye Scholer and subcontractors Levitan & Associates Inc., DNV GL and Sullivan Cove Consultants to provide assistance to the commission staff in developing regulations to implement the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 that will facilitate the development of offshore wind energy in Maryland's coastal waters.
According to Kaye Scholer, the regulations shall establish the offshore wind facility's project application requirements and criteria that the commission shall consider in evaluating and comparing proposed projects. These regulations will incorporate best practices and lessons learned from offshore wind project efforts in other states and countries. The regulations shall also establish the offshore renewable energy credit escrow funding mechanism mandated by the legislation.
Information on how to submit comments is available here.
Gov. Martin O'Malley, D-Md., signed the act into law in April 2013. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Interior later announced in December plans to auction the designated Maryland Wind Energy Area as two leases. The DOI expects the auction to be held later this year following public and stakeholder input.
