By: Mike Kennedy February 5th, 2008 Category: Garrett County News

At their meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 the Garrett County Commissioners formally opposed the proposal to put wind turbines in the Savage River and Potomac State Forests. The board of commissioners now joins local representatives in the state government - Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel who are also in opposition. The board will now submit a letter to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley stating their position.

The state of Maryland has been seeking public comment through the Department of Natural Resources (NDR) on this proposal since it was announced in early January. The DNR has set up a web site to solicit public comment until March 3, 2008. The site is at the following address - http://www.dnr.state.md.us/sustainability/wpm/ . The last time this web site was checked about 80% of those who had submitter their opinion were against placing turbines on public land.

The DNR also held two public meetings last week as well to allow the citizens of Garrett County and the entire state of Maryland to voice their opinions. One meeting was held in Garrett County at the community college and the other was held in Annapolis. About 90% of those in attendance at both meetings were in opposition. 

At those meetings many residents of Garrett County, many people who own vacation homes in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake but live elsewhere, and many people who just visit the county regularly on vacation all voiced strong opposition to this plan. This was in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and various groups who spoke up as well - including the Garrett County Board of Realtors, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, and numerous eco-friendly groups such as the Sierra Club. All seemed to think any benefits derived from wind energy would in no way offset the massive destruction that would be caused in the local state parks should turbines be erected.

Even with strong opposition to this plan the Governor can still approve this plan with the swipe of a pen. No one knows if he will or won’t at this point but it’s pretty obvious that their is overwhelming opposition not only from the citizens of Garrett County but from the rest of Maryland as well.

If this proposal does get shot down, the battle for wind turbines will now turn to those projects proposed on private lands. To date, their are two projects approved in southern Garrett County on private land - but none have been built yet.