Analysts brief Senate panel on Maryland offshore wind status amid federal court challenges

Committee members were briefed on the status of Maryland's offshore wind project and associated litigation.

Analysts said the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved a construction and operations plan for the Maryland offshore wind project in December 2024 that the briefing estimates could generate up to 2.2 gigawatts—enough to power roughly 718,000 homes per the presentation. They said BOEM later canceled designated future wind energy areas in federal waters but that cancellation did not affect already‑leased areas such as the Maryland project.

Panelists described subsequent legal activity: the Department of the Interior filed a motion in federal court seeking to revoke the December 2024 approval; the primary developer filed for preliminary injunctive relief but a federal court later denied that preliminary motion in December (as reported in the briefing). Presenters also noted lawsuits filed by local governments and industry participants—Ocean City, Fenwick Island, Worcester County, commercial fishing groups and tourism interests—alleging NEPA, Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act violations.

Senator Carroza told the committee she wanted members to be aware of local stakeholders' lawsuits and the potential local impacts on tourism and fishing. Analysts said the litigation remains ongoing and will continue to affect permitting and project timelines.

Next steps: staff and analysts offered to provide updates as litigation develops; the committee did not take any formal action during the briefing.