It’s time to create thousands of family-sustaining jobs across Maryland by expanding offshore wind. The state has already approved the development of up to 2 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, resulting in commitments to invest an estimated $3.5 billion, the creation of 7,000 jobs, and the revival of union steel jobs in Maryland.
More than 20 years ago, Sparrows Point, the heart of steel in Baltimore, was closed because of bankruptcy.
The result: Thousands of good paying jobs were lost.
Fortunately, there’s a solution. If the Maryland General Assembly passes the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act, we will have the opportunity to expand offshore wind procurement to 8.5 gigawatts by 2031, creating thousands of new family-supporting jobs in construction and manufacturing. This economic activity will create new opportunities for businesses of all sizes, as well as businesses owned by people of color, women, and veterans.
The Baltimore region was built on steel and manufacturing. And now, thanks to Maryland’s strong clean-energy policies, the region has the opportunity to become a steel hub once more — and an epicenter for offshore wind and new job growth in the Mid-Atlantic.
Along with offshore wind’s jobs and investment impact, these projects will supply large amounts of stable-priced clean energy to Maryland homes and businesses. In fact, 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind would power the rough equivalent of 2 million Maryland homes each year. With no fuel to pay for, these projects would stabilize Maryland electricity costs for years to come.
Of course, we need a way to connect these wind turbines to those homes and businesses—that’s where the transmission grid comes in. The POWER Act also directs the Public Service Commission to work with the regional power grid operator, PJM Interconnection, to proactively study transmission upgrade and expansion proposals necessary for Maryland’s grid to cost-effectively and reliably meet the needs of a decarbonizing economy. Preparing Maryland’s transmission infrastructure for the future is the responsible thing to do.
TAKE ACTION: Tell your Maryland legislators to pass the Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act of 2023 to create jobs and prepare our infrastructure for the future.