TOWN OF OCEAN CITY CHALLENGES BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT ON US WIND PROJECT

Worcester County, MD - In a bold move to protect its coastline and community, the Town of Ocean City has engaged Marzulla Law, LLC, to file a lawsuit against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

This legal action pertains to the US Wind Project and is supported by pivotal regional organizations, including the Town Council of Fenwick Island, the Worcester County Commissioners, and the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (HMRA). All of these entities have agreed to join as co-plaintiffs in the case.

The US Wind project plans to construct 114 offshore wind turbines, which will stand 938ft tall and be located around 10.7 miles off the coast of Ocean City. The project has caused rising concerns among local officials, residents, and the wider community. The worries revolve around the potential negative effects on the view shed, the local environment, the tourism industry, and the fishing community.

With this lawsuit, the Town of Ocean City and its co-plaintiffs aim to thoroughly assess and address the project's environmental, economic, and community impacts.

In the words of Mayor Rick Meehan, "We have a duty to protect our ecosystem, economy, view shed, and future." For over seven years, the Town has tried to work with the Maryland State and federal government to address these concerns, only to have them dismissed or trivialized. The Town felt it had no other option, thus the decision to challenge BOEM and its favorable stance on the US Wind project through a lawsuit.

Marzulla Law, LLC, a firm with a strong track record in environmental and property rights litigation, will take the lead in this pivotal case. The lawsuit will question the federal government's approval process for the US Wind project and aim to address the procedural and substantive issues that have emerged.

For more information on the Maryland offshore wind project, visit www.oceancitymd.gov/oc/oc-opposes-proposed-wind-farms/