Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers
Sussex County Administrative Office Building
2 The Circle
Georgetown, DE
This is our moment to draw a line in the sand and make a stand! We may not get another chance like this.
Let your voice be heard on July 30, 2024, at the Council’s hearing at 2 The Circle. Sussex County Council needs to protect its citizens! The County Council meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m, and Caesar Rodney Institute's David Stevenson will make comments. As most attendees will not all fit inside the County Council meeting, we are holding a rally outside the County Council at the time of the meeting.
The Sussex County Council is scheduled to review US Wind’s conditional use application at their meeting on July 30 at 1:00 PM. This application is crucial because it pertains to a massive electric substation that will support US Wind’s offshore wind project, involving the installation of large cables running ashore through our beaches, wetlands, and bays. This "conditional use" is the only opportunity for Sussex County to weigh in!!
We are targeting the Sussex County Council to delay a decision and reopen the Planning & Zoning hearings, as the public notices obscured the fact that this "conditional use" supported US Wind.
The Full Story
Offshore wind developer US Wind, operating under its subsidiary Renewable Redevelopment, LLC, has been working discreetly to secure a conditional use permit for a massive electric substation. This substation is a crucial component of US Wind’s offshore project, which involves bringing four large cables ashore through Sussex County’s beaches, wetlands, and inland bays.
However, Due to proceeding under another name, and making no mention in notices of the application’s relationship to the offshore wind project, the public has failed to get adequate legal notice of US Wind’s plans. This lack of transparency has prevented the community from having a fair opportunity to voice concerns during the County’s proceedings. This oversight has led to a lack of public input during the rezoning process, which is both deceptive and unjust.
Beyond procedural concerns, the project itself merits rejection based on its impact. The proposed offshore turbines will dominate the shoreline, potentially diminishing tourism and property values. The noise from construction and operation could harm marine life, including endangered species such as whales. The turbines may also interfere with radar systems, risking vessel collisions, Coast Guard operations, and military security. Additionally, commercial fishermen might be forced to abandon their fishing grounds due to the lease areas designated for the turbines.
A recent poll of 14,000 property owners within one mile of the beach revealed that 86% oppose visible turbines. This project, driven by Maryland legislation and funded by Maryland electric customers, affects areas off Ocean City and should be addressed by Maryland authorities. Sussex County Council should deny this application and push the responsibility back to Maryland, where the project’s impact should be managed.
Given these circumstances, we urge the Sussex County Council to reject the current application until it undergoes a thorough review with proper public notice and opportunities for community feedback.
What you can do NOW:
In addition to the rally, you can also contact each Sussex County Council Member to let them hear your voice about this important impact on our future. We ask that the Council at least delay a decision and reopen the Planning & Zoning hearings, as the public notices obscured the fact that this "conditional use" supported US Wind.
Michael Vincent, Council President, District 1, 302- 629-2396 - Click to email
Cynthia Green, District 2, 302-855-7743, Click to email
Mark Schaeffer, District 3, 302-855-7743, Click to email
Douglas Hudson, District 4, 302542-1432, Click to email
John Reily, District 5, Council Vice President, 302-858-8649, Click to email
SAMPLE EMAIL:
Subject: Deny Application from US Wind
Due to proceeding under another name and making no mention in notices of the application’s relationship to the offshore wind project, the public has failed to get adequate legal notice of US Wind’s plans – which have been at least two years in the making--or a fair opportunity to be heard on the pending County proceedings. This was deceptive and resulted in no public input in the rezoning process. In light of this, we urge Sussex County Council to do the right thing and deny the present application—at least until properly noticed proceedings, with opportunities for the public to review the project, can take place.
The project should ultimately be denied on its merits as well. While the present application only seeks a zoning change by the County, the entire project is relevant to the public interest of County residents. U.S. Wind’s proposed turbines will dominate the entire shoreline view, leading to lost tourism and lower property values. Noise from construction and operations will harass marine life, risking the extinction of whales and other endangered species.
Turbines interfere with radar, risking vessel collisions, Coast Guard operations, and reduced military security. Commercial fishermen will be forced to abandon fishing in lease areas. The consequences of the proposed use to support offshore wind development do not promote the prosperity or welfare of present or future inhabitants of Sussex County.
A recent poll of 14,000 property owners within one mile of the beach found that 86% oppose visible turbines. This project was based on Maryland Legislation, approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, paid for by Maryland electric customers, and lies off Ocean City. Bringing power ashore and providing suitable substations are Maryland’s problems. Council’s denial should send this back to Maryland to solve.
I look forward to hearing back from you and how you will vote on this matter.
Let’s unite and ensure our voices are heard. Together, we can safeguard Sussex County’s future and ensure that any decisions made are in the best interest of our community. Your presence and participation are crucial—let’s stand up and make a difference!
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