Offshore Wind Alliance Launched in New York

ALBANY, NY (09/12/2016)(readMedia)-- A diverse coalition of organizations, including environmental groups, offshore wind power developers, environmental justice and community advocates, academics, and consultants, with a shared interest in promoting the development of sustainable offshore wind power for New York announced today they have formed the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA). The coalition is a project of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), a non-profit organization promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in New York.

"Today we are announcing that New Yorkers from across the state are joining together to support responsible offshore wind power development," said Liz Gordon, the Director of NYOWA. "The waters off of New York City and Long Island feature exceptionally strong and consistent wind resources that can be harnessed to satisfy the immense demand for clean, reliable and cost-effective power. Now is the time for the Empire State's leaders to make a long-term, large-scale commitment to offshore wind power, which is essential to achieving Governor Cuomo's goal of 50 percent renewable energy for New York by 2030."

The mission of NYOWA is to promote policies that will lead to the development of offshore wind off the coast of New York State. NYOWA's specific goal is to secure a commitment from New York to develop 5,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2030. The Alliance will undertake both public education and advocacy to build support for achieving this goal in New York.

NYOWA's work is guided by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), Deepwater Wind, DONG Energy, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and the University of Delaware's Special Initiative on Offshore Wind.

"Like the Alliance for Clean Energy, this new Offshore Wind Alliance announced today brings together industry voices with environmental and public interest advocates." stated Anne Reynolds, Executive Director of ACE NY. "Together, we will make the case for offshore wind power and the economic and environmental benefits it will bring to New York and the nation."

"We applaud Governor Cuomo's visionary leadership in renewable energy," said Jeff Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind. "By developing the world-class wind resources off the coast of Long Island and New York City, New York State can not only achieve the Governor's laudable goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030 but also will help to defer the need to build costly new power plants or controversial new transmission lines."

"A significant New York commitment to large-scale offshore wind power will jump-start the deployment of this new clean and abundant energy source, not only in the state, but up and down the East coast," said Stephanie McClellan, Director of the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind, a program of the University of Delaware. "Providing this impetus for investment in the supply chain and infrastructure will dramatically reduce costs while increasing clean energy and economic development for New York."

"We support the recent steps the Governor has made to ensure New York meets its 50 percent renewable energy goal by 2030, but a strong and enforceable commitment to a long-term offshore wind development is necessary if New York is to lead the nation in renewable energy," Lisa Dix, Senior New York Representative of the Sierra Club said. "With a broad coalition such as NYOWA, we believe we can make that commitment happen by the beginning of 2017."

"As the world leader in offshore wind development, DONG Energy is eager to bring its expertise and resources to bear in building a robust clean, secure and renewable energy sector right here in New York," said Thomas Brostrøm, General Manager of DONG Energy Wind Power (U.S.) Inc. "We look forward to working with members of NYOWA and NY officials to put in place the appropriate policies and programs to capitalize on this home-grown resource."

"To meet New York's 50 percent by 2030 renewable energy goal and help fight climate change, New York must go all-in on a range of clean energy technologies," said Kit Kennedy, Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Energy & Transportation Program. "In addition to scaling up investments in efficiency, solar, and land-based wind energy, New York needs to become a national leader on offshore wind development. The New York Offshore Wind Alliance will be a strong voice for sustainable, responsibly developed offshore wind. We invite all interested parties to join us."

"Climate change demands that frontline communities work to operationalize just transitions. In Sunset Park, this means using NYCs largest significant maritime industrial area to build an offshore wind industrial hub that generates local jobs and provides the region's low income communities access to renewable energy," said Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE's Executive Director. "This will require political will and vision."

"Offshore wind power is New York's golden opportunity to create jobs while powering our economy with a massive local source of pollution-free energy," said Catherine Bowes, Senior Manager in National Wildlife Federation's Climate and Energy Program. "National Wildlife Federation is proud to stand with the New York Offshore Wind Alliance in advocating for the swift, responsible development of this game changing climate solution available far off our shores. Now is the time for a bold commitment to launch offshore wind power for New York, and this new partnership shows the broad, diverse base of support for making it happen."

In addition to the Steering Committee members, initial partners of NYOWA include: AWS Truepower, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Ecology & Environment, Environmental Advocates of NY, Renewable Energy Long Island, The Nature Conservancy – New York and UPROSE. Any organization interested in supporting offshore wind power for New York is welcome to join NYOWA, and can get more information at www.aceny.org/NYOWA.

###