operation. Essentially, the protected
species observers will ensure the
survey vessel does not come into
contact with marine mammals as it
moves in and around the vast WEA
about 10 to 30 miles off the coast of
Ocean City.
on board the "Scarlett Isabella"
along with Blake Bussard, said the
students' role will essentially be op-
en ocean lifeguards as they watch
out for whales, dolphins and sea tur-
tles.
interfere with what we'll be doing,"
said Taylor this week. "I'm really ex-
cited to be part of an opportunity like
this."
line offshore that would come a-
shore at some point along the Mary-
land coast and connect to the trans-
mission system on the mainland for
distribution across the grid. While
praised by many for its clean energy
contributions, the proposal is also
expected to create hundreds of tem-
porary and permanent jobs.
adding amendments to the bill that
would help ensure the maximum ec-
onomic benefit for his district from
the project that will essentially be in
Ocean City's front yard. In the short
term, local crews have been hired to
shuttle scientists back and forth to
the "Scarlett Isabella" and to trans-
port supplies and other materials to
the scientists working offshore.
Further down the road, local con-
tractors and workers will be used in
the development of the offshore
wind farm to the maximum extent
possible.
penny of the research and develop-
ment of the potential wind farm, nor
will any public costs be incurred un-
til the first turbine is spinning.
built and energy is being put onto
the grid," he said. "We built safe-
guards into the legislation to ensure
that. The Public Service Commis-
sion will hold hearings and approve
an offshore wind energy project only
after it has proven a net positive
economic benefit for the citizens of
Maryland."
Maryland WEA and then conduct
the appropriate research before
gaining approval to start building the
wind energy farm off Ocean City's
coast. However, because of delays
in gaining approval from the Gener-
al Assembly for the wind farm, and
because no private developers
have leased the WEA, the state is
essentially funding the geophysical
survey through its Offshore Wind
Development Fund to the tune of
$3.5 million.