As a student, my mind is always on the future. We're an ambitious group of youth at Hopkins, and personally. I don't know a single one of us who isn't excited for the possibilities of what's to come. That's why Governor O'Malley's Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 is our best opportunity to ensure that there will be more opportunities in the future.
The story begins during the 2011 Maryland General Assembly session, where a broad coalition of environmental, labor, faith, business and other community groups worked hard to pass a bill to construct an offshore wind farm 10 miles off the coast of Ocean City.
The bill was not brought to a vote because the legislators cited a need for an offshore wind study. But since then, multiple studies have been conducted which have guaranteed the public health and economic benefits of the potential offshore wind farm.
The 500 megawatt wind farm that would be built guarantees renewable energy for generations — energy that won't cause unnecessary war and constant bickering over foreign oil.
Wind power also offers energy without the air pollution and particulate hazards of coal-fired power plants. To this end, this wind farm will help cut back on exorbitant health care costs to treat those affected by coal ash and other particulate matter.
Furthermore, wind energy's price doesn't fluctuate due to international crises. Unlike oil prices, which soar and plummet along with positive and negative news in the Middle East, wind energy is fixedly low and strongly competitive. Additionally, over the past ten years, energy costs for Marylanders have nearly doubled, and the price of fossil fuels will only continue to rise. The wind farm must be built to provide much needed affordable and reliable energy for years to come.
Wind power is also needed to meet the demands of Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires that 20 percent of the state's electricity supply come from renewable sources by 2022. In 2008, Maryland imported 90 percent of the renewable energy required to comply with this policy. And, not surprisingly, half of our state's energy still comes from coal plants. Wind energy will provide a clean alternative that will also be able to meet a high demand in Maryland.
What's more, the construction and maintenance of the wind farm will employ thousands of workers and help spur economic growth in a sputtering economy. To a portion of over 200,000 Marylanders looking for work, this wind farm will provide much needed assistance.
These jobs, in turn, will spur economic growth because money will be placed in the hands of people who need to consume to live. The money will be spent on life's essentials. This wind farm is, in effect, a cash infusion into the economy. And let's keep in mind that these jobs will not be created on the back of the environment, as the Keystone Pipeline would have been.
Creating jobs, reducing pollution, cutting costs and slashing carbon emissions by an average of 945,000 tons per year are clearly nothing to scoff at. This is money well spent and a win-win for everyone.
We need to spread the word about the Offshore Wind Energy Act. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up.
