Offshore wind cannot fix state energy crisis
Editor,
Affordable, environmentally friendly, sustainable, reliable energy, lower electric bills, and aesthetically pleasing structures on our horizon… hardly!
Maryland is experiencing a self-inflicted energy crisis. The start-up cost prohibitive, inefficient, unreliable, high generation cost and environmentally intrusive U.S. Wind offshore wind project cannot pretend to provide relief for the significant electricity deficit Maryland lawmakers have created.
Inflexible and irrational government regulations forced power generators to idle a substantial number of base-loaded (the constant and minimum amount of electricity needed) power generation plants and Annapolis has no plan for equal replacement as they chase a zero-emission fantasy.
The U.S. has the world’s largest natural gas reserves and has become the leader in natural gas production with the development of unconventional drilling methods of oil shale fields from 2006 to 2019. It was also during this time that the Obama Administration embarked upon climate change initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal power generation plants.
This resulted in power generators idling coal-fired (heat from burning coal is used to change water into high pressure steam to turn a steam turbine electric generator) assets and replacing them by building hundreds of natural gas-fired (heat from burning natural gas is used to pressurize hot air to turn a gas turbine electric generator) generation plants.
Maryland was no exception. Excessive state regulations forced electric generators to shutter a significant amount of capacity, and the state did embrace a replacement plan utilizing lower emission alternatives.
Three natural gas plants (Rock Springs Generating Facility in Rising Sun, MD=684MW, CPV St. Charles Energy Center in Waldorf, MD=745MW and Panda Power Plant in Brandywine, MD=230MW) were constructed and commissioned and a couple other existing steam generation plants converted from coal to natural gas. However, this replacement strategy abruptly stopped after the re-election of Gov. Hogan.
The governor appeared to appease the radical no emission fanatics to win his second term at the future expense of Marylanders and the creation of our energy crisis. Gov. Moore continues to promote an unreasonable green energy policy.
Maryland scheduled the shutdown of the two-remaining coal-fired power plants, Brandon Shores Generating Station in Pasadena, MD=1,370MW and the Herbert A. Wagner Generating Station in Pasadena, MD=702MW in 2025 without plans for replacement. Maryland imports ~40% of our electricity demand from more expensive out-of-state sources.
The location of one of the largest oil and natural gas producing shale formations provides advantages to the Mid-Atlantic and Maryland. The Marcellus field extends from western New York through Pennsylvania, western Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Maryland has ready access to sustainable, low emission, safe, unobtrusive, proven, and low-cost sources of energy with natural gas. Maryland lawmakers should tend to their self-inflicted energy wounds and allow power generators to invest in base-loaded electric plants and greenlighting projects in Maryland including:
- More natural gas combined cycle plants (meaningful emission reductions and higher efficiency).
- Expanding nuclear capacity at the Calvert Cliff Clean Energy Center in Lusby, MD=1,790MW.
- Expanding waste-to-energy using household trash.
- Waste-to-energy using poultry litter.
Offshore wind has proven to be problematic around the world. Start-up costs are unrealistic. The harsh environment requires complex maintenance and drives up operating costs. Structural integrity has led to fatigue, component failure, and pollution disasters.
Please wake up and stop dreaming about a disastrous offshore wind nightmare. I have 31 years of experience delivering energy solutions for one of the largest global oil and gas companies.
Jeff Heavner
Ocean Pines