O'Malley Proposing Offshore Wind Requirement

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's governor plans to introduce legislation that would require utilities to enter into long-term contracts for offshore wind power.

Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, says an offshore wind power bill is expected to be part of the legislative agenda that will be submitted next week. Adamec says offshore wind has the potential to create thousands of jobs in Maryland, and the proposed bill will help create a market for the alternative energy source.

Some Republican lawmakers are questioning the wisdom of the proposal, saying alternative energy should be encouraged but mandates will force more expensive alternate energy onto consumers.

Constellation Energy spokesman Rob Gould says it would be premature for the company to comment before seeing a bill.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)