MD offshore wind bill goes before House lawmakers

ANNAPOLIS, Md.

Legislation to spur offshore wind energy in Maryland is on the schedule for House lawmakers in Annapolis.

The House Economic Matters committee is scheduled to hear testimony Thursday on the bill, which has already been heard by a Senate committee.

Gov. Martin O'Malley testified before the Senate committee earlier this month in support of the bill, which marks the second time the governor has tried to pass offshore wind legislation. A bill was killed by lawmakers last year over concerns about its costs. That bill would have mandated utilities enter into long-term contracts with offshore wind power producers. The current bill establishes requirements for offshore wind power production, but does not require mandatory contracts. Despite the changes, the governor still faced tough questioning from the Senate committee.