O'Malley: There Are Enough Votes In House & Senate To Pass Offshore Wind

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ)-- Governor Martin O'Malley appears to have cleared a hurdle in his quest to put a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City. It's a renewable energy project supporters say will reduce global warming.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the plan.

Last year, groups supporting wind energy took a stand.

An environmental hootenanny ends in what organizers claim is an unprecedented circle of lights around the State House in support of a bill that puts Maryland on track for offshore wind farms.

"When do you work on the future if it isn't now?" said one supporter.

Last year like the year before, they failed. But it appears this year will be different.

"Twenty-four co-sponsors in the Maryland Senate is what you need for passage," said Governor Martin O'Malley.

An offshore wind energy bill passed the House last year but stalled in the Senate. This year, the governor is almost assured of passage with 24 Senate votes in his pocket---now attention turns to yours. They'll be an additional state surcharge up to $1.50 a month on your electric bill...but not now.

"Correct. Nothing goes up until the windmills go up and that will be even optimistically a matter of many years," said O'Malley.

During which time, the wind will still be there.

For supporters, getting the bill passed is just the first step, but it's a big one.

The most recent poll on wind energy shows more than 70 percent of voters polled are willing to pay a little more for cleaner electricity.