Delaware Beach Towns to Consider US Wind Offer

US Wind has provided the Delaware A.C.T with a package of community benefits regarding the wind turbine projects for Coastal Delaware residents of Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, and South Bethany.  Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger issued a statement in which the Town "declined to be involved with hiring a consultant to negotiate a community benefits package with the wind farm companies."

It is stated in the community benefits that each of the five towns would received $2 million over period of 20 years, which would be paid in $100,000 increments.  Each town would receive $100,00 on the anniversary date for a period of 18 years. In return, towns would have to agree not to take any steps to impede or delay this project. Towns and city officials would have the option to opt out at any time, but would have to make two years' worth of payments. US Wind would have no control over how communities spent the funds.

Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Henlopen Acress will begin evaluations through a series of public meetings, with South Bethany's meeting scheduled for 10:00am on Wednesday, January 10th, which will be open to South Bethany residents.  Mayor Joni Reich stated that Rehoboth's Board of Commissioners is set to review the agreement on Friday, January 12th.   Bethany Beach has their meeting scheduled for 2:00pm on Friday, January 12th in the town meeting room, which will be open to Bethany Beach residents.

US Wind holds the rights to an 80,000-acre lease area off the coast of Delmarva, capable of sustaining around 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement evaluating the potential effects of developing the lease area and US Wind's strategies to minimize or prevent those effects.

A decision from BOEM to approve or disapprove those plans, is expected by the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Lewes Mayor and Lewes City Council will decide whether to participate in a community benefits program proposed by US Wind once residents can comment.