CCAN Action Fund Applauds Governor Wes Moore’s Call for 8.5 Gigawatts of Offshore Wind Energy

Governor’s announcement aligns with the offshore wind goal set by the POWER Act (HB793/SB781) that would establish Maryland as a national leader on clean energy

Baltimore, MD Today, Governor Wes Moore signaled a new era of clean energy leadership for Maryland, announcing a goal to build 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind in Maryland, enough to power every home in the state. Speaking at the 2023 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, the Governor said, “I am deeply serious when I say that Maryland will lead in offshore wind. I mean that.” 

Offshore wind energy will bring good family-sustaining jobs to Maryland, lower energy costs, and reduce the pollution that fuels climate change. By throwing its full support behind this clean, renewable resource, the Moore-Miller Administration can bring clean, affordable energy to people throughout Maryland.

Jamie DeMarco, Maryland Director for CCAN Action Fund, the advocacy arm of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, stated:

“This is big news for clean energy in Maryland and a strong signal that Governor Moore is making good on his campaign promise to act aggressively on climate. We applaud the Moore-Miller Administration’s leadership. Now we hope the Maryland Legislature will send the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resource (POWER) Act to the Governor’s desk quickly so we can make this goal a reality.”

The POWER Act passed out of the Maryland Senate with a bipartisan 33-12 vote, and passed out of the House Public Utilities Subcommittee on March 28, with a full Economic Matters Committee vote expected later this week. The legislation would set a goal of 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind by 203, build another gigawatt of offshore wind on top of the two gigawatts the state is already building, and would build the transmission infrastructure necessary to build 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind. 

Listen to a full recording of Governor Moore’s speech here. 

More about the POWER Act here.

Contact:
Jamie DeMarco, jamie@chesapeakeclimate.org, 443-845-5601
KC Chartrand, kc@chesapeakeclimate.org, 240-620-7144

The CCAN Action Fund is the advocacy arm of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the oldest and largest grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. For 20 years, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, West Virginia,  Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

###

Share