I think the General Assembly is finally exercising some common sense by studying the offshore wind power proposal. This state is projected to face billions of dollars in debts over the next few years, I don't see how the state can afford this project. If wind power is so wonderful, why isen't private industry jumping on it?

This would be a bad move for the environment and for the economy. The disruption in the environment in addition to the polluted sunrises is one thing. It's another with the casual fact that politicians love to ignore - Wind power has a 75 year pay-back period. Let's say that again: "WIND POWER HAS A 75 YEAR PAY-BACK PERIOD. Again, shortsighted in the long-run... but MOM/Dems think it's cool. Meanwhile, how many more people will freeze in the winters or die from stifling heat in the summers because they cannot afford the electricity?Sorry - didn't want to mire anyone with details. BTW, solar energy has a pay-back period of 6-8 years and expectancy of 25 year useful life. THAT is the starting point.

Just say no. A study is a waste of time and money. There is plenty of information already compiled from the other wind farms that exist, all you have to do is read the informaion.

Secondly, the cost verse the benefits are out of proportion. A wind turbine needs 30 mph sustained wind to perform to its maximum output. At peak a 2.5 Gwatt Turbine produces enough power for 500 homes if all appliances and hotwater are offloaded to an alternate power source. So how many turbines would it take to produce enough power to impact MD residences? Alot.

Before the taxpayers allow one dollar to be spent let the Gov't produce the actual numbers that are currently being generated by the wind farms that already exist and let's see what the real cost / benefits are.

A study is not needed. Just the truth for a change. Sorry, I forgot we were talking about Stats O'Malley, who never met a statistic he couldn't massage.

Please do the homework first!!! While this all sounds good, it really may be more harmful. I suggest starting with this article about the wind farms in the UK.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100003510/wind-farms-the-death-of-britain/

Just cancel the whole ridiculous project. O'Malley is pushing this so one of his cronys will make a ton of money.

Wind power can only supplement fossil fuels. They will NEVER be a primary energy source. OweMalley cannot force BGE to supplement their power grid and is overextending the powers of government. A court battle looms. If BGE is forced to do this they will pass on these added infrastructure and operating costs to the rate-payer. OweMalley will pride himself as “saving the environment” while-at the same time-we ALL experience higher BGE rates. This feel-good Liberal Save-the-Planet scam is getting old…..and expensive. As always, expect the Liberal OweMalley and Md Press to demonize BGE and make them look like the bad guys and somehow blame the high rates on the past Ehrlich administration..

Not only is wind power enormously expensive to install, the maintenance costs in an ocean environment are huge and continuous. This is a very lame idea economically, environmentally, and aesthetically, and the state's utilities shouldn't be arbitrarily directed to invest in an inefficient losing proposition such as this. Oh, and of course, we ratepayers will foot the bill, probably boosted by an additional state tax on the increased rates. I think all the study the legislature needs is right here in these comments.

To "A Concerned Tax Payer"...THANK YOU for the link. Anyone who believes that Wind Power is an adequate and reliable energy source should read this news out of the UK. This technology has been around for years and the Brits have plenty of real facts to share.

The tax breaks that the developers will get from the feds and the states are not reflected in the contracts mandated by the present bills, but they will come out of the taxpayers pocket. The $1.44 per month is not the whole cost.The concealed costs of the offshore wind installations need to be exposed by further study. One is going on right now by a branch of the Dept. of Natural Resources; its results will be released before the next session of the General Assembly.

Omaaley and his croonies own a major stock in the company that would build and install. them. This is a complete conflict of intrest. Why is the private sector not willing to pay for it. Becuase true studies show it is not cost effective. One big storm would wipe out billions of dollars invested. and the tacx payers would be stuck paying for it.

A study on how to saddle the rate payers with unneeded higher costs every month for a few decades.

Subsidizing anything does not work. Subsidizing wind power will make electricity more expensive. O'Malley will look good and we will all pay for it. It will be a feather to put in his cap when he runs for higher office.

You have got some explaining to do Marty!

@TGC3RD The article you posted is a fluff piece. I am not saying it is wrong but it is written without any supporting facts by someone who agrees with your view.

I am for the wind turbines and here are my reasons. To me the view of a sunrise would not be ruined but enhanced in my opinion. It would make me proud to be part of a society which can at least attempt to do something new and innovative to help itself. With current energy costs it may not seem cost effective now to produce energy this way but as we all know from experience the cost of generating energy from fossil fuels is quite dynamic. This is a small (in the grand scheme of things) hedge against rising energy prices. It would also improve local experience in dealing with wind turbines. A specialty which would generate more jobs/contracts for Marylanders. The negatives are that some might not like the view. The cost may never be worth it.

Its my opinion that its better to try and fail than to never try at all.