A measure by Congressman Andy Harris to require offshore wind turbines to be at least 24 miles off the coast could jeopardize their development in the region.
The amendment by the Eastern Shore Republican was approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
And it comes after Ocean City officials said the sight of the turbines could jeopardize the resort’s tourist industry.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports Harris points out that a similar project of the Virginia coast was 27 miles away from the shore.
But U.S. Wind Inc. said that since the area for wind projects is shaped like a triangle the restriction would leave it with only room enough for on turbine.
Anne Haveman with the environmental group Chesapeake Action Network told the paper that it was very frustrating given all of the hearings and government reviews that had gone into the offshore wind projects.
