Maryland’s Democratic Governor, Wes Moore, is attending a lavish holiday event this week while Republican lawmakers express concerns over a stalled project on his watch.
Moore is at the Sun Valley Conference, which is held annually in Idaho, known for attracting wealthy individuals. According to his spokesperson, this gathering has been referred to as “Billionaire Summer Camp,” a term popularized in media reports.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that plans for a wind farm near Ocean City, Maryland, are significantly behind schedule. US Wind, the company responsible for the project, has not yet hired any of the 550 steelworkers it pledged to bring on board, according to a representative from the United Steelworkers Union.
Additionally, construction has not yet begun on a steel manufacturing facility in Baltimore County, crucial for developing windmill components, as noted by a company spokesperson.
Earlier this year, Moore announced a commitment to achieve 100% renewable energy in Maryland by 2035 and supported legislation aimed at significantly increasing offshore wind energy production by 2031. This initiative was expected to generate approximately 12,000 full-time jobs in the state.
He has engaged with the Biden administration to help advance this project and announced federal funding of $4.7 million for training purposes in 2024.
Despite hopes for the wind farm to start generating clean energy by 2025, critics have voiced concerns, like Republican Representative Andy Harris, who highlights the involvement of a foreign-owned company in the project.
“It’s not an American company,” he stated, arguing that the focus appears to be more on tax credits than on US interests.
US Wind remains the sole contractor for the Maryland Wind Farm Plan after another contractor withdrew from the project in 2024. Moore has been somewhat evasive when questioned about the slow progress on this key initiative.
“We’ll keep working with our partners and pushing to make progress,” he remarked, though it remains unclear how soon developments might emerge.
Moore has reiterated his commitment to ensuring a strong energy future for Maryland and intends to collaborate with all stakeholders to expedite the project.
While he has stated he is not seeking a presidential run, market predictions suggest his name is circulating as a possible Democratic candidate for 2028, placing him alongside notable political figures. His current trip puts him in the company of influential people such as Tim Cook and Bob Iger.
According to event details, the Sun Valley Conference typically runs from July 8 to July 12, further embedding Moore in discussions with powerful industry leaders.
