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Released July 17, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken aim at a permit for an offshore windfarm issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) under the federal Clean Air Act, targeting the state's directions on appealing on the permit.
The Ocean City Windfarm is planned for an 80,000-acre lease about 10 miles offshore from Ocean City, Maryland, and is being developed by U.S. Wind (Baltimore, Maryland). The windfarm is planned to be built in phases, accommodating up to 114 turbines. The first two phases of construction, named MarWin and Momentum, would contribute about 1,100 megawatts of emissions-free power generation. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.
Last week, EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey sent a letter to the secretary of the MDE, stating that Maryland's outline of the appeals process for the permit was incorrect and therefore the permit as issued was invalid. The EPA's letter focuses on the Maryland permit's provision that any appeals be sent to a state board rather than a division of the EPA. The EPA noted that as the permit was issued under a specific federal law, an appeal should be directed not to the state, but rather to the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board within 30 days of notice of the issuance of the permit.
The letter directed the MDE to reissue the permit and specifically iterate the federal statutes under which the permit is issued and can be appealed. Specifically, Blarcom-Lackey's letter directs Maryland to:
The EPA's striking down the permit will please some area residents, including Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, who in June stated: "It is unconscionable to believe that the Maryland Department of Environment is ignoring pre-established permitting deadlines and fundamentally ignoring every shred of feedback offered by those who will be directly involved if this poorly conceived and potentially disastrous offshore wind project is allowed to move forward. The entire economy of our coastal resort town is dependent on tourism, our eco system, and commercial fishing, all of which will be significantly impacted if hundreds of these giant eyesores are constructed 10 miles from our beaches."
The area's representative in the U.S. House, Andy Harris (R), issued the following statement after the EPA's letter: "The EPA has confirmed what many of us knew for years--this project was approved with glaring procedural and legal flaws. The Maryland Department of the Environment had no business directing the public to appeal a federal permit to a state court, and such a decision showed both incompetence and a disregard for public input from my affected constituents in Worcester County."
Nancy Sopko, U.S. Wind's vice president of external affairs, said, "We are confident that all of our project's permits were validly issued. We are very committed to delivering this important energy project."
A spokesperson for the MDE issued the following statement about the letter: "We received the letter and are reviewing it now. MDE is committed to ensuring all our permit processes are transparent and in accordance with the law," but did not indicate whether the state agency intends to stand by the permit as issued.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
The Ocean City Windfarm is planned for an 80,000-acre lease about 10 miles offshore from Ocean City, Maryland, and is being developed by U.S. Wind (Baltimore, Maryland). The windfarm is planned to be built in phases, accommodating up to 114 turbines. The first two phases of construction, named MarWin and Momentum, would contribute about 1,100 megawatts of emissions-free power generation. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.
Last week, EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey sent a letter to the secretary of the MDE, stating that Maryland's outline of the appeals process for the permit was incorrect and therefore the permit as issued was invalid. The EPA's letter focuses on the Maryland permit's provision that any appeals be sent to a state board rather than a division of the EPA. The EPA noted that as the permit was issued under a specific federal law, an appeal should be directed not to the state, but rather to the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board within 30 days of notice of the issuance of the permit.
The letter directed the MDE to reissue the permit and specifically iterate the federal statutes under which the permit is issued and can be appealed. Specifically, Blarcom-Lackey's letter directs Maryland to:
- "Clarify that Maryland issued the permit under federal authority pursuant to 40 CFR Part 55"
- "Remove erroneous text regarding the Maryland appeal process (including reference to the state process on the website)"
- Incorporate a specific clause that outlines the federal directives under which the permit is issued and the note that appeals are to be filed with the EPA's Environmental Appeals Board
- Identify the 30-day deadline under which parties can appeal
The EPA's striking down the permit will please some area residents, including Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, who in June stated: "It is unconscionable to believe that the Maryland Department of Environment is ignoring pre-established permitting deadlines and fundamentally ignoring every shred of feedback offered by those who will be directly involved if this poorly conceived and potentially disastrous offshore wind project is allowed to move forward. The entire economy of our coastal resort town is dependent on tourism, our eco system, and commercial fishing, all of which will be significantly impacted if hundreds of these giant eyesores are constructed 10 miles from our beaches."
The area's representative in the U.S. House, Andy Harris (R), issued the following statement after the EPA's letter: "The EPA has confirmed what many of us knew for years--this project was approved with glaring procedural and legal flaws. The Maryland Department of the Environment had no business directing the public to appeal a federal permit to a state court, and such a decision showed both incompetence and a disregard for public input from my affected constituents in Worcester County."
Nancy Sopko, U.S. Wind's vice president of external affairs, said, "We are confident that all of our project's permits were validly issued. We are very committed to delivering this important energy project."
A spokesperson for the MDE issued the following statement about the letter: "We received the letter and are reviewing it now. MDE is committed to ensuring all our permit processes are transparent and in accordance with the law," but did not indicate whether the state agency intends to stand by the permit as issued.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
