ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 17, 2023 – The Maryland State Senate is expected to pass the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources Act (POWER Act – SB 781), which would advance offshore wind production in Maryland as well as the transmission infrastructure that is critical to support offshore wind and other new renewable energy sources. Focus will soon turn to the Maryland House of Delegates, where action is expected quickly in the Economic Matters Committee. Advanced Energy United’s Managing Director Nathan Willcox issued the following statement in response:
“Making our clean energy future a reality will require strengthening and expanding our transmission infrastructure, and that’s what the POWER Act would do for Maryland, all while saving ratepayers money,” said Advanced Energy United Managing Director Nathan Willcox. “We thank Senator Hester for her leadership on this bill, as well as Chair Feldman and Senate President Ferguson for making this bill a session priority, and we urge the House of Delegates to pass the POWER Act and help Maryland reap the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy.”
“Investing in our offshore and onshore transmission infrastructure in Maryland and across the Eastern US will ensure that power produced by wind and solar farms can reach our homes and businesses where it’s needed,” he added. “This investment in transmission infrastructure will also create jobs, improve the resiliency and reliability of our electric grid, and deliver enormous savings for consumers. In fact, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid estimates that in the Eastern US alone, expanding and modernizing the transmission grid would unleash up to $7.8 trillion in investment and generate more than 6 million net new jobs, primarily in rural areas.”
Once passed by the Senate and House of Delegates, the POWER Act would direct the state to manage competitive transmission procurement, by which Maryland could establish a coordinated transmission network that solves interconnection issues and builds resilience and reliability on our grid. Specifically, the bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC), in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, PJM, and owners of transmission facilities in Maryland, to conduct an analysis of the transmission system expansion options, and authorizes one or more competitive solicitations for proposals for open access offshore wind transmission facilities and the necessary onshore transmission upgrades and expansions. The PSC may issue further proposals after that point if needed. The POWER Act also ramps up the state’s goal for offshore wind production to 8.5GW by 2031—enough to power every home in Maryland.
About Advanced Energy United
Advanced Energy United is a national industry association that represents the full range of advanced energy technologies and services, ranging from solar companies and electric vehicle manufacturers, to energy efficiency companies, transmission developers and more. We advocate for policies that allow our member companies to compete to repower our economy with 100% clean energy in Maryland and nationally. The businesses we represent are lowering consumer costs, creating millions of new jobs, and providing the full range of clean, efficient, and reliable energy and transportation solutions.
Media Contact
Josh Sweetin, press@advancedenergyunited.org