Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore is participating in a high-profile gathering this week, while Republican lawmakers express concerns over a stalled project under his administration.
This week, Moore is attending the Sun Valley Conference, which his spokesman confirmed to ABC7 News. This annual event, known for attracting influential figures in Sun Valley, Idaho, is often dubbed “Billionaire Summer Camp,” according to Forbes.
At the same time, reports indicate that plans for a wind farm off the coast of Moore’s state have made little progress. According to ABC7, US Wind, the contractor behind the project, has yet to hire any of the 550 steelworkers they promised to bring on board.
Moreover, US Wind has not yet started construction on a necessary steel manufacturing plant in Baltimore County, as stated by a company spokesperson. In 2023, Governor Moore announced Maryland’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035 and backed legislation aimed at offshore wind energy, targeting a production level of 8.5 gigawatts by 2031. This initiative is expected to create 12,000 full-time jobs in the state.
To facilitate the project, Moore entered a memorandum of understanding with the Biden administration regarding offshore wind development and announced federal funding of $4.7 million for workforce training in 2024.
Moore emphasized the potential for climate change to present opportunities for economic growth. He stated pride in signing the Power Act, which outlines Maryland’s offshore wind energy ambitions.
The wind farm is slated to start producing clean energy by 2025, as indicated in another company release. US Wind is controlled by the Italian firm Toto Holding SPA, which has raised questions about foreign involvement in the project.
Republican Representative Andy Harris, whose district includes the planned wind farm site, has criticized the project as being led by a foreign entity. He expressed skepticism regarding the company’s motives, suggesting that their primary interest lies in obtaining tax credits and other subsidies rather than prioritizing local needs.
US Wind is currently the only company with a contract for the Maryland Wind Farm Plan after another contractor, Ørsted, pulled out in 2024.
Moore faced questions earlier this week about the project’s lack of momentum. He responded by stating a commitment to collaborate with partners to speed up progress, despite acknowledging that the site appears inactive.
Moore reiterated a dedication to fostering a robust energy future for Maryland and affirmed his intent to work with partners to achieve that goal quickly. In June, he stated to the Associated Press that he is not pursuing a presidential run, yet he is now listed as a potential Democratic candidate for 2028 based on betting markets.
Moore’s current trip to Idaho places him alongside influential personalities such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, according to CNBC. The conference typically takes place from July 8 to July 12, as noted by local sources.
