ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to testify before a state Senate committee about a key part of his environmental agenda, an offshore wind energy bill that the panel has twice failed to pass.
The governor is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the Senate Finance Committee. The senate's president has moved a member of committee to another panel in order to get the votes needed to move the measure to the full Senate, where it has enough sponsors to pass this year.
The bill would require utilities to buy offshore renewable energy credits. And it would provide incentives for developers that could increase residential electricity bills $1.50 a month if an offshore wind farm is built.
There are no offshore wind farms in the United States, although several are in development.
