Federal EPA Challenges Maryland's Offshore Wind Farm Permit Process

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has raised concerns over the permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment for an offshore wind farm near Ocean City, highlighting a procedural discrepancy in the appeal process. According to a July 7 letter from EPA Region 3 Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey, appeals against the permit should be directed to the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board, contrary to the state's instruction to use state courts. This oversight could lead to the permit's invalidation and create confusion among stakeholders, Blarcom-Lackey warned.

Maryland officials are currently reviewing the EPA's letter, with MDE spokesperson Jay Apperson stating the agency's commitment to lawful and transparent permit processes. US Wind, the company behind the project, asserts the validity of its permits. The contested permit, issued last month, concluded that the wind farm would not violate air pollution regulations, marking a significant step forward for the decade-long project, which is the most advanced offshore wind initiative in Maryland.