Front Generator Wind Turbine

ANNAPOLIS — Southern Maryland lawmakers are seeking to delay the construction of wind turbines in Somerset County.

They say the unique radar system at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, across the Chesapeake Bay from Somerset County, would be significantly impacted by the construction of about 25 wind turbines between 300 and 400 feet in height.

House Bill 1168 would prevent the state from approving construction of wind turbines that exceed a range of heights within the Atlantic Test Range used by the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. If approved, the legislation would suspend construction of the 70 megawatt Great Bay wind project in Somerset County.

The legislation would take effect June 1, 2014, and end June 30, 2015, because of a study underway by Lincoln Laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to mitigate some of the problems with how the radar system interacts with wind energy turbines.

During a committee hearing Thursday, members of the southern Maryland delegation said the Somerset turbines, which have not yet been constructed, could cause job losses in and around the naval air station.

“We have folks in the community who are looking at potential job loss if this goes through,” said Delegate John Bohanan Jr., D-29B-St. Mary’s. “Not just in the hundreds, but the thousands if it goes through — it’s that critical.”

The proposed wind project would also put bald eagles at risk if it is approved for take permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

“U.S. Fish and Wildlife indicates this would be the largest eagle kill in the country at 15 to 18 birds,” Bohanan said. “The allocation they need to apply for is actually 20.”

Somerset residents attended the hearing, some in support of the postponement, some against.

Those who support the project asked committee members to be cognizant of Somerset’s economy and the boost the project could bring. Attendees also questioned if it could actually cause the naval air station to close.

“I’m in a little bit of a bewilderment that a wind turbine project would actually force a base to close,” said Joe Mangini, executive director of the Princess Anne Chamber of Commerce.