Del. regulators OK Delmarva Power wind contracts

Firestone also questioned whether the possible impact from the Maryland project on an endangered bat species and other environmental issues were properly addressed.

But Synergics president Wayne Rogers noted that the odds a bat would be near the wind farm are infinitesimal because they forage in areas near waterways, not on mountain tops. He also said they tend to fly about 30 feet off the ground, while the bottom of a rotor blade on one of the turbines would be about 120 feet above the ground.

After a lengthy PSC hearing, Firestone recommended approving the two sites scheduled to come online next year. But he said the commission should wait to take final action on the second Maryland site until the possibility of buying more offshore wind power was carefully evaluated.

"Time is not of the essence on that contract," he said. "I think we should take more time and evaluate what's really in the best interest of Delawareans."