OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan warned that city government is prepared to go to court to challenge federal approval of wind development off the coast if the project reaches that stage.
Speaking at a hearing organized by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-01) on Saturday, Meehan joined several local, state and federal representatives who spoke at the Ocean City convention center to voice concerns about — and argue against — US Wind’s proposed wind energy project.
Meehan said that if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) gives its approval for the construction of wind turbines off the Ocean City coast, the city would challenge the decision with a lawsuit. The bureau’s decision will follow its review of the environmental assessment of the project
“The Town of Ocean City will not back down for our opposition to these projects and to our future here in Ocean City. We will not back down,” Meehan said.
An audience of about 500 people gathered in the auditorium of the Ocean City Performing Arts Center to hear the testimony, Anna Adamian, Harris’s communications director, said after the meeting. The meeting also featured a panel whose members testified on behalf of industries and citizens that could see adverse effects from offshore wind development.