Monday, April 28, 2014
Governor Martin O'Malley still has not yet made a decision on the wind turbine bill, which would set a 13-month moratorium on the development of tall wind turbines within 56 miles of the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River base in southern Maryland.
If the governor vetoes the bill, the $273 million wind turbine project would go forward in Somerset County and if the bill goes into law, the wind turbine developer says he'll have to cancel the project.
Interviewed Monday, O'Malley wouldn't say if he would veto legislation that has been sent to his desk.
"I have no announcement yet on a decision," he said, "but I have yet to be convinced why this bill is a good idea."
When asked when a decision could be reached he said, "shortly."
O'Malley says he's going to keep trying to understand where common ground can be reached. The developer and the Navy have come to an agreement that would force the wind turbines be powered down when testing was to be done.
Lawmakers have approved a delay to wait for a study on how wind turbines could affect radar use around the base.