By Hannah Gaskill, Maryland Daily Record
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved an agreement Wednesday to utilize solar energy in a Western Maryland former coal district, representing a fundamental difference in state and federal energy priorities.
“What is indisputable in all this is that clean-energy projects that are ready to go right now are the ones that are also the ones most directly under attack by this federal administration, who is using energy policy like an ideology, who is not allowing data — nor science — to be able to lead the conversation but just simply internet conspiracy theories and talking points,” Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said at an Annapolis meeting Wednesday.
The Board of Public Works approved a long-term, $470 million solar power purchase agreement with REV Renewables, a clean-energy generation and storage company, slated to provide 250,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy via the Jade Meadow III Solar Project located on the reclaimed Lower Georges Creek Coalfield in Garrett County.
Moore said the coalfield had been “periodically” used for mining operations since the 1800s but shuttered in the early 2000s, “mainly because of the costs.”
The Jade Meadow III Solar Project is currently active on the PJM Interconnection queue and anticipated to be functional for state energy accounts by 2028. Maryland is one of 13 states connected to PJM’s power grid, which also covers Washington, D.C.
The 20-year power purchase agreement is slated to save the state $300 million and provide enough renewable electricity to power nearly 15% of Maryland’s portfolio starting in 2028, officials said.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Moore said the agreement will help strengthen the grid and lower Maryland’s skyrocketing utility costs.
Daily energy and environment updates. Free 30-day subscription