Public airs concerns on offshore wind during July 9 hearing

The state conducted a public hearing July 9 on the permits needed by US Wind to connect its wind farm off the coast of Maryland to a proposed substation next to the Indian River power plant in Dagsboro. As has been the case since the beginning, public comment on the project was mixed.

US Wind’s project comprises up to 121 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substations, up to four offshore export cables and one meteorological tower in ocean waters due east of Ocean City, Md. The offshore export cables are proposed to land at 3R’s Beach, north of Bethany Beach, and interconnect into a proposed substation that would be constructed on land adjacent to the Indian River power plant.

Two representatives from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and one representative from US Wind made brief presentations on the permits needed and construction details. To make the connection work, the company would horizontally drill 60 feet under the beach and dune at 3R’s; build four vaults that are each 47 feet long, 12 feet wide and 11 feet deep in the beach parking lot; then horizontally drill west from the vaults under Indian River Bay before coming up at the power plant. In addition to the parking lot construction area, which is supposed to return to its as-is condition except for four manhole covers, and horizontal drilling, dredging in the coves near the plant requires permitting. In all, the company needs DNREC’s approval for a subaqueous lands permit, a water-quality certification, a wetlands permit and a beach preservation coastal construction permit.

Lisa Vest, DNREC hearing officer, conducted the virtual meeting that at one point had more than 200 people logged in. She said about 60 people signed up for public comment; however, by the time it was all said and done, fewer than half actually spoke.

Tower Shores is an ocean-side community with more than 200 homes just south of where the cables will be buried under the dune. Resident Pierce Bates’ property line abuts Delaware Seashore State Park. He said his house is less than one-third of a mile from where the lines will be coming in. There’s a huge amount of concern, he said.

John Buono of Ocean View said he thought the project was a massive win for Maryland and a massive loss for Delaware. This public hearing is just politicians playing the game, he said.

One issue brought up was public safety. Specifically, about how local fire, EMS and police will be trained on the equipment.

Dan Cohen said he didn’t think this issue was getting enough attention. He asked who is going to coordinate the necessary equipment. Because before any of the experts can show up, it will be a local response first, he said.

Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie C. Magdeburger said there’s been an intentional effort to keep information from the public.

Representatives from The Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, League of Women Voters and at least one construction industry representative said they recognize there would be some impact, but as long as all the construction standards proposed are followed, the project’s overall benefit outweighs that impact.

Mary Douglas, who was speaking on behalf of the Delaware League of Women Voters, said Delaware is being amply compensated and all necessary permits should be expeditiously approved.

For additional details about the project, along with related documents, the public is encouraged to go to DNREC’s website at de.gov/uswind. DNREC is accepting written comments until Monday, Sept. 9, via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov; by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments; or by U.S. mail to Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.

During the meeting, Vest encouraged those unable to participate in the meeting to submit written comments. Every comment made, spoken or written, carries the same weight in the decision, she said.

DNREC has said in the past that DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin is expected to make his decision on the permit applications by the end of the year.