UPDATED: Ocean City’s Response to Court Ruling on US Wind’s Motion to Dismiss the City’s Lawsuit

The Ocean City Mayor and Council, along with the 34 other co-plaintiffs challenging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Record of Decision approving the US Wind project, applaud the decision of Judge Gallagher and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland to deny US Wind’s motion to dismiss the case. Ocean City has stated for over eight years that this project threatens to devastate the tourism industry, commercial and recreational fishing sectors in connection with this area, as well as poses risks to national defense. Those in opposition have been warning that this type of project could lead to the deaths of hundreds of marine mammals. However, supporters of the project — including environmental advocates and renewable energy backers — argue that offshore wind is critical to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning the region to clean energy. US Wind has said the project will bring economic benefits, including job creation and energy independence, while complying with federal environmental standards.