The Board of Public Works has approved leasing about 250 acres of state prison land in western Maryland for what will be the state's biggest solar energy farm.
The board voted 2-1 on Wednesday to lease the land to Maryland Solar LLC of Easton.
Supporters said the 20-megawatt solar farm will create 125 jobs and double the amount of solar energy in the state.
Maryland Solar was created by Beowulf Energy, whose managing director, Michael Enright, was Gov. Martin O'Malley's senior adviser before he left the administration last year.
O'Malley is one of three Board of Public Works members. He says the project was openly bid. He also says because the project will help Maryland achieve its renewable energy portfolio he only wishes Enright had joined the private sector earlier.
Md. Public Works Approves Solar Farm on Prison Land
Copyright AP - Associated Press
