Legislators, Unions, Advocates Urge Continued Leadership on Offshore Wind

NEW YORK CITY, NY (06/13/2025) (readMedia)-- In anticipation of Global Wind Day this weekend, state legislators today joined union leaders, industry representatives, and community advocates in applauding New York's leadership in advancing offshore wind energy, while urging state leaders to continue building on its progress. Standing together at Ravenswood Generating Station, supporters celebrated the state's success in lifting the Trump administration's baseless stop-work order on Empire Wind 1, and called on Governor Hochul's administration to continue the momentum with further infrastructure and supply chain development for the offshore wind sector.

WATCH a recording of the press conference here.

As New Yorkers face rising energy prices and economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that state leaders show commitment to sectors like offshore wind, which stands to deliver stable growth, thousands of high-quality union jobs, and a more reliable and affordable energy system. Investing today in transmission, ports, and supply chains can help ensure the sector continues to grow and maximize its benefits to New Yorkers over the long-term.

"New York is poised to lead the nation in renewable energy and we are proud to help advance projects that help the state meet its climate and reliability goals," said Wil Fisher, Director of External Affairs at Rise Light & Power. "Our Queensboro Renewable Express transmission project – under review by the NYS Public Service Commission – will deliver 2.6 GW of offshore wind power into the heart of New York City, maintaining power reliability and union jobs while facilitating the renewable repowering of Ravenswood. We thank Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, our partners in elected office, environmental advocates, and the Western Queens community for their ardent support of these transformational projects."

Right now, New York State is on the verge of an energy crisis. With more data centers coming online due to the growing demand of AI, experts agree offshore wind is essential to meeting New York's energy needs and avoid electricity shortfalls. Right now, the Empire Wind 1 project is putting thousands of New Yorkers to work with good-paying, union jobs. Once completed, the project will power over half a million homes with reliable and affordable clean energy. These shovel-ready projects like Empire Wind are the fastest way to meet our current energy needs, avoid the risk of blackouts, and keep prices stable.

"On this Global Wind Day, we celebrate the incredible strides made by the offshore wind industry-a driving force in the transition to clean energy. While we have faced significant obstacles, New York has persevered with strong leadership and will continue to grow this industry," said Alicia Gené Artessa, Esq., Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance. "Offshore wind is the best bet to reliably power our State while also creating thousands of jobs, securing our energy independence, and cleaning our air."

Several groups also called on the Public Service Commission to approve the Queensboro Renewable Express transmission line. The Queensboro Renewable Express is an integral part of the broader Renewable Ravenswood vision, which would transition New York City's largest power plant into a clean energy hub and deliver affordable, reliable energy to New York City for years to come. The Queensboro Renewable Express, one of the most mature offshore wind transmission projects proposed in New York, could significantly contribute to meeting the state's expanding energy demands and climate goals, while creating and protecting good union jobs. Rise Light & Power, the operator of Ravenswood Generating behind the Renewable Ravenswood vision, has also proposed a multi-user offshore wind operations port that would create good union jobs and catalyze economic opportunity throughout Western Queens.

In addition to these proposed projects to transform Ravenswood Generating, other infrastructure projects across New York State must move forward to ensure power is provided to downstate, such as investing in transmission projects like Propel NY and the NYC PPTN, modernizing the state's ports, and building supply chain infrastructure. With this necessary infrastructure we can ensure New York produces even more reliable energy to meet growing demand with stable rates for decades to come.

"Offshore wind help us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions ensuring that we avoid the very worst impacts of climate change and puts the working waterfront back to work, spurring the development of manufacturing facilities, ports, and transmission upgrades at the water's edge," said Robert Freudenberg, Vice President, Energy & Environment at Regional Plan Association. "As our federal government continues to signal ambivalence about their support for offshore wind, New York should be doing everything we can to advance offshore wind, including reviewing, permitting and investing in port and transmission projects to ensure New York is ready to build and plug in future projects."

Offshore wind is a proven solution for a more reliable energy system. The South Fork Wind Farm is already powering 70,000 homes on Long Island with clean, reliable and affordable energy. Resources like this are also poised to help keep the power grid stable in extreme weather, while keeping prices affordable for the long-term. Had the South Fork Wind Farm been operational during the winter of 2022, research shows it could have saved New Yorkers $77 million in electricity costs in just one month.

"New York has a choice: maintain the status quo with polluted air and sky high energy bills, or invest in our green energy future. Offshore wind is one of our best solutions to deliver reliable, affordable power to New Yorkers and create thousands of green union jobs along the way," said Jenille Scott, Climate Director of ALIGN. "While our climate is still under attack, New York must prepare for future wind projects by developing grid infrastructure now, so that we're ready to rapidly deliver on the promise of clean air, affordable energy bills, and a just transition for workers."

"Governor Hochul must continue the momentum in advancing New York State's offshore wind industry, which is necessary for New York to achieve its ambitious clean energy goals," said Matt Walker, Regional Campaign Manager for Energy Markets & Transmission at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "Continuing to build offshore wind farms will bring immense benefits to New York: revitalized ports and harbors, local manufacturing, job opportunities for skilled union workers, and cleaner air in low-income communities and communities of color."

"Offshore wind energy is clean, reliable and affordable electricity that doesn't come at the expense of our health. This energy is generated locally and can help ensure a reliable grid for downstate New York," said Allyson Samuell, Sierra Club New York Senior Campaign Organizer. "Sierra Club is eager to see our state continue to invest in offshore wind and the infrastructure necessary to build out this source of energy."

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