ANNAPOLIS, Md.— Chicken waste will one day power state offices and university buildings in Maryland.

Gov. Martin O’Malley announced Friday that the state and the University of Maryland have agreed to buy up to 10 megawatts of electricity from a proposed Federalsburg power plant. The deal is expected to save the state up to $80 million over the life of the 15-year agreement.

State officials say the proposed Caroline County plant, which will use chicken litter as its primary fuel, will also help reduce farm runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. Farm runoff is a pollutant that contributes to algae blooms that lower oxygen levels in bay water.

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