Reminder DNR, MEA Ocean Planning And Offshore Renewable Energy Open Houses Begin Next Week
Annapolis, MD (March 24, 2010) - The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will hold two
public open houses to discuss the future of our ocean. The forums will provide
citizens an opportunity to learn about the State’s ocean mapping and planning
efforts, with a focus on offshore renewable energy.
“The opportunity for renewable energy generation through offshore wind is
outstanding,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “One of the most important things
we can do to create green jobs and lift ourselves out of a challenging economy
today is to invest in a smarter, greener, more sustainable tomorrow.”
The first open house will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday, April 5
at the Department of Agriculture building at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in
Annapolis. A second open house will be held April 12 near Ocean City at the
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Coastal Ecology Teaching and Research
Center (CETRC) in Berlin, Md. Both sessions are open to the public.
These open houses are designed to allow citizens to ask questions and provide
feedback at their own pace. Experts from both agencies and project partners will
be on hand to answer questions and provide information about ocean mapping and
planning, offshore wind, project timelines, anticipated processes and
opportunities for community response.
“The ocean waters off the coast of Maryland provide a wealth of economic and
environmental services to local communities,” said Department of Natural
Resources Secretary John Griffin. “We are reaching out to our citizens to ensure
that the State has the best information available to support the sustainable
development of renewable energy in offshore areas.”
“Offshore wind has the potential to supply more renewable energy than any other
resource in the region,” noted MEA Director Malcolm Woolf. “Maryland is
committed to successfully harnessing these resources in a cost-effective way in
order to provide the State with every opportunity to be able to satisfy its
Renewable Portfolio Standard of 20 percent by 2022 and benefit from the growing
Renewable Energy Credit market.”
Maryland’s ocean mapping and planning efforts can help identify areas for future
offshore activities, reduce conflicts, facilitate compatible uses and reduce
environmental impacts to sensitive natural resources. DNR and MEA are hoping to
apply this information to help identify areas that may be suitable for offshore
wind energy projects. The agencies have already compiled a strong foundation of
data and information with the help of project partners, including The Nature
Conservancy and the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental
Research, but expect to collect more data and information from a broad range of
stakeholders, especially through public meetings. The results will give the
State significant guidance on offshore resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which
celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for
providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors.
DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of
waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum
environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land
conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources
attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's
effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental
priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov
The mission of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is to maximize energy efficiency while promoting economic development, reducing reliance on foreign energy supplies, and improving the environment. The MEA offers a wide variety of incentives and resources for residents, businesses and communities interested in reducing energy use, saving money and going green. For more information on available programs, please visit www.energy.maryland.gov