When Ocean City attorney Tom Maronick appeared on the Ocean 98 morning show, he broke down a complicated fight in a way local listeners could actually follow. He talked about federal court decisions, injunctions, and offshore wind turbines, but always brought the focus back to what people care about most: what happens to Ocean City if this project moves forward.
The Big Picture: Why Offshore Wind Is In Court At All
Tom explained that he is part of the Stop Offshore Wind Coalition and that there was recently a major development from outside Maryland. A federal judge in Massachusetts considered whether the Trump administration could revoke a permit for an offshore wind project that was one step away from final approval.
According to Tom, the court said yes. The judge ruled that the administration could pull that permit even though the project was close to the finish line.
For Ocean City, that ruling is important because Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore is now looking at a very similar issue involving U.S. Wind. While the cases are in different jurisdictions, they both deal with a core question: can a presidential administration change course and shut down a large energy project that received approval under a prior administration?
How The Ocean City Case Is Different From Massachusetts
Tom pointed out an important difference. In Massachusetts, the project was just short of final approval. In the U.S. Wind case, the company received its final approval right before President Biden left office.
So the legal question becomes: is there a meaningful difference between pulling a permit that is almost final, and pulling a permit that is fully final?
Tom believes the precedent from Massachusetts still matters for Maryland:
“There’s precedent, and that’s what I think is going to be very, very important. Judges don’t like to be too disparate from what another judge did, particularly in a somewhat close locality and somewhat similar circumstance.”
Judge Gallagher is not bound by what happened in Massachusetts, but it gives her another court’s reasoning to review while she evaluates the U.S. Wind case.
Dueling Injunctions: U.S. Wind Versus Ocean City
Right now, Tom explained, there are two separate injunction requests in front of Judge Gallagher:
1. U.S. Wind’s Injunction
U.S. Wind filed an injunction asking the court to stop the Trump administration from pulling the permit or sending it back for reconsideration. The company claims it has already spent more than $200 million on the project. Tom noted that there are no pylons in the water yet, so he questioned where that money has gone. He suggested it likely includes licensing, planning, and substantial legal fees.
2. Ocean City’s Injunction
On the fifth of November, Ocean City filed its own injunction to prevent U.S. Wind from building. According to Tom, U.S. Wind claimed, during a status call, that it had already spent money on building and had done offshore work. However, Ocean City disputes that any real construction has started.
Tom made it clear that Judge Gallagher’s next move depends on how she rules on these two requests:
- If she rules in favor of U.S. Wind’s injunction, the legal process will continue. The merits of Ocean City’s lawsuit will have to be fully considered. U.S. Wind still could not start building immediately, but the permit could not be pulled until the case is resolved.
- If she rules against U.S. Wind’s injunction, Tom said that would “basically mean the end of the project.”
He added that the decision could come soon, although Ocean City’s new injunction might push it slightly into the near future.
How Far Could This Go? Fourth Circuit And Supreme Court
Tom also walked listeners through the bigger legal path if the case continues.
He noted that:
- The Massachusetts ruling will likely go to an appeals court.
- If Judge Gallagher rules differently and the U.S. Wind case goes to the Fourth Circuit, the two regions could end up with conflicting decisions.
- When federal districts and circuits disagree, the United States Supreme Court often steps in.
Tom explained that the Supreme Court currently leans conservative and that the Fourth Circuit also has a reputation as a conservative-leaning court. From his perspective, if the issue reaches those levels, U.S. Wind might not find a friendly audience.
He also compared the situation to the Keystone Pipeline. That project had approvals and was set to be built, but President Biden shut it down when he took office. Tom argued that if every project approved by a prior president had to move forward no matter what, then future presidents would lose the ability to stop problematic projects they do not support. He believes that is a major flaw in U.S. Wind’s legal position.
Why Many In Ocean City Are Worried
Throughout the interview, Tom emphasized that this is not just a legal question. It is a community issue.
He said the support from Ocean City residents and business owners has been “tremendous.” Many local anglers and charter captains have voiced deep concerns about how construction and turbines could affect fishing grounds and the coastal environment.
Tom highlighted a particularly powerful point from the injunction that Ocean City filed. The founder of the White Marlin Open stated that the project could effectively shut down the famous fishing tournament if U.S. Wind proceeds with offshore construction in the middle of key fishing areas.
From Tom’s perspective, that would devastate the local economy and damage Ocean City’s identity as a true vacation destination, not just for Maryland but for the region.
He also stressed something important for people who care about the environment and still oppose this specific project:
“In theory, you can support green energy, just not this project. You can have an electric car. I have an electric car. You can support that but not say, ‘Let’s destroy Ocean City in the process.’”
FAQ: Offshore Wind And Ocean City
Is this really about politics?
Tom said he does not want this to become a partisan issue, even though many statewide officials without direct Ocean City ties publicly support U.S. Wind. For local residents and businesses, the focus remains on real-world impact, not just party lines.
Does the Massachusetts decision automatically stop U.S. Wind?
No. The Massachusetts ruling does not control Maryland courts. However, it gives Judge Gallagher another federal decision to examine when she decides how much power a presidential administration has to revoke or reconsider offshore wind permits.
Can you support clean energy and still oppose U.S. Wind?
Yes. Tom made it clear that many people in Ocean City support renewable energy and still strongly oppose the scale, location, and impact of this specific offshore wind project.
Want Legal Insight on Offshore Wind and Government Decisions? Schedule an Interview with Tom Maronick.
Legal battles over offshore wind, energy policy, and federal permits are complicated, fast-moving, and often hard for the public to follow. However, they make for important and highly engaging conversations on radio, TV, podcasts, and in print.
If you are a journalist, radio host, podcaster, blogger, or community organization looking for informed legal commentary on:
- Offshore wind disputes and federal permitting
- How changes in presidential administrations affect approved projects
- The role of federal courts, injunctions, and appeals in these cases
- The broader impact of government decisions on Maryland communities
Tom Maronick is available for media interviews and appearances to break down these issues in clear, practical terms.
To inquire about booking Tom for a radio segment, podcast, panel discussion, or media quote, contact Maronick Law to schedule a media appearance request. He can provide thoughtful legal insight on these topics for informational and commentary purposes.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.