Offshore Wind Energy Keeps Process Moving Forward to Accomplish Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State Pledge to Procure 800 MW of Offshore Wind Power by 2019
ALBANY, NY – The New York Offshore Wind Alliance applauded the order issued today by the Public Service Commission to have NYSERDA move forward and accomplish Governor Cuomo’s commitment to procure 800 MW of offshore wind by 2019.
The Alliance, a statewide coalition of environmental, business and labor groups, had been urging quick action by the PSC so that New York can move quickly in a race with New Jersey, Massachusetts and other Atlantic Coast states to become the hub of a burgeoning clean energy economy and reap the benefits that come from being a national offshore wind leader.
Offshore Wind Alliance Director Joe Martens said: “New York has hit another major milestone in its quest for 50 percent renewable generation by 2030. The PSC order on offshore wind procurement sets the stage for meeting Governor Cuomo’s commitment for a 2018 offshore wind solicitation and moves New York one step closer to realizing the jobs, cleaner air and investments in ports and infrastructure that would come from New York being a national leader in offshore wind.”
Offshore wind is an essential component to meeting the Governor’s goal of having 50 percent of New York’s electricity generated by renewable energy sources by 2030.
“New York’s offshore wind initiative could lead to upward of $6 billion in economic activity, 13,200 new jobs and lower electric bills for New Yorkers, primarily in the downstate region, where rates are among the highest in the nation,” Martens said. “To realize these benefits though, NYSERDA will need to move quickly. We cannot be left behind by other states that are also moving quickly to develop this clean energy source.”
Gov. Cuomo’s plan would create enough offshore wind energy to power 1.25 million homes by 2030.
Catherine Bowes, National Wildlife Federation Offshore Wind Energy Program Director, said: “Responsibly developed offshore wind power can and must be a pillar of New York’s energy future, and today’s action by the Public Service Commission is a critical step forward in fulfilling the state’s commitment to bring this vast and clean resource online. National Wildlife Federation looks forward to working with the Cuomo Administration to ensure that New York becomes a national leader in advancing responsibly developed offshore wind projects that protect our environment and maximize local job creation and economic development opportunities.”
Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy, said: “The Alliance for Clean Energy applauds today’s PSC action to advance offshore wind. New York is once again demonstrating its leadership in promoting renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gases and creating jobs in the clean energy sector.”
Lisa Dix, Senior New York Representative for the Sierra Club, said: “The Sierra Club applauds the Public Service Commission for taking the next important step to advance offshore wind. Rapidly advancing offshore wind is not only necessary to achieve the Governor’s bold climate goals but is critical to making New York a renewable energy economic powerhouse, a regional hub for the industry, build new ports, and create thousands of family wage jobs for New Yorkers.”
Thomas Brostrøm, President Ørsted North America, said: “We are very pleased that the State of New York has today taken a tangible and significant step toward developing its offshore wind resource. This procurement order is an exciting development toward providing New Yorkers cost effective, reliable and abundant green energy. We look forward to participating in New York’s procurement process and commend the administration for its leadership.”
Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind, said: “Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York continues to be a national leader in offshore wind. Today’s decision by the Public Service Commission to proceed with a major procurement this year will create a major new source of cost-effective clean energy and create significant job opportunities for New Yorkers. As the developer of New York’s first offshore wind farm and the U.S.’s leading offshore wind company, we’re ready to play a major role in helping New York achieve the Governor’s extraordinary goals for a clean energy economy.”
Kit Kennedy, senior director of the climate & clean energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “This is a big step forward toward capturing the enormous potential of sustainable offshore wind power in New York. “We look forward to helping New York become a national leader in developing this promising clean energy source in a way that’s smart from the start—protecting the ocean and creating quality jobs.”
