Senate Minority Whip Steve Hershey (R-36-Upper Shore) commented on next week’s scheduling of a committee hearing for Senate Bill 938, which requires local approval over the proposed Apex Wind project. “I am pleased that despite its late introduction, SB-938, will get its deserved hearing. With this opportunity, Kent County will be able to make the case for local authority.”
The Upper Shore Senator continued, “Since last week’s bill introduction, our phone has continued to ring, and our mailbox has continued to fill with messages of support for the legislation. It is my hope that the committee witnesses a similar level of support at the hearing next week.”
The hearing is less than one week before the end of session. Full passage would require, approval of the committee, affirmative vote by the Senate, and then the same process in the House of Delegates, before midnighton April 14. The Minority Whip commented on the hurdles for full passage, “Full passage in six days will be tough, but doable. Bills have passed in shorter periods of time. But in the event that all we can have is this Senate hearing, it is still an opportunity for the General Assembly and the Public Service Commission to hear the overwhelming opposition to this project and the desire that representatives of the County want a say in this project.
Delegate Jay Jacobs (R-36- Kent) will testify with Hershey at the hearing. Delegate Jacobs said, “As the resident delegate, for weeks now I have heard the outcry from our constituents that this project could be done with limited local input. The delegation supports this legislation in an effort to bring approval authority to the Kent County Commissioners.”
Senate Bill 938, will be heard before the Senate Finance Committee on April 7th at 1:00 PM in the Finance Committee hearing room in the Miller Senate Office Building. “I am inviting all those who agree that a project of this size should require local approval and not just that of the Public Service Commission,” concluded Hershey.
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