OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
FEBRUARY 9, 2018
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
LIFESTYLE
WOOL AND FIBER EXPO Fifth annual event in Ocean City this weekend to include vendors and classes – Page 41
FREE
PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY
VIEW FROM 13 MILES AWAY Ocean City passed a resolution on Monday opposing the construction of wind turbines at a distance visible from the beach and provided this rendering of a wind farm located 12.8 nautical miles offshore as evidence the structures would be noticeable on the horizon.
OC objects to turbines, again County steps up Council passes resolution opposing wind farm within sight of beach, as advocates argue that’s shortsighted
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 9, 2018) Continuing its effort to keep offshore wind turbines out of sight, the Ocean City Council passed a resolution Monday night opposing the construction of offshore structures that will be visible from shore. During a well-attended and contentious council session, Mayor Rick Meehan expressed support for developing clean energy sources, but said he worried that wind farm development offshore would permanently alter the view from the beach. “This is a big project that will be there for many years and we only get one chance to get it right,” he said. “Let’s not build something we’re all going to look back on and regret.” The Maryland Public Service Commission issued conditional approvals last May for US Wind and Skipjack Wind to construct hundreds of turbines off
the Ocean City Coast. US Winds proposal would be located 12-15 nautical miles offshore, with an added stipulation to build structures as far east as practical. Before it received state approval in May, US Wind attempted to assuage Ocean City officials’ fears pledging to place the turbines 17 nautical miles from shore. In July, however, the council asked both companies to place turbines 26 nautical miles offshore. “We do not want people to walk out on the beach in morning and look at the sunrise over … an industrial type landscape,” Meehan said. “That’s been our concern and position all along.” Regardless of any pledge, however, City Engineer Terry McGean presented a wind farm rendering that shows turbines visible at 12.8 nautical miles from shore. Further, McGean said the latest plans from US Wind indicate the project would involve three phases, beginning at 17 miles and then decreasing to 15 miles before ending at the 12.8 nautical mile mark. See PASTOR Page 7
Commissioners vote to contribute $300K for Ocean City Inlet study
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (Feb. 9, 2018) The outstanding matter of who will pay for the local share of a study to determine the source of shoaling that threatens the efficacy of the Ocean City Inlet was answered Tuesday, when the Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously to foot the $300,000 bill. Previously, some mixture of state, county and city funding were considered, as was using surplus beach replenishment money to generate the local contribution. The matter, which was not on the official agenda, was brought forward by Ocean City’s representative on the board, Joe Mitrecic. “It was brought up at our last meeting that we need to move on this if we plan on supportSee OCEAN Page 7