Cuomo Issue Call for New Wind Initiatives
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has called for a procurement of at least 800 megawatts of offshore wind power between two solicitations to be issued this year and next. The goal, unveiled on Tuesday as part of the governor’s 2018 State of the State agenda, is intended to result in enough emission-free renewable energy to power 400,000 residences.
The New York Clean Energy Jobs and Climate Agenda, officially known as the 20th proposal of the 2018 State of the State master plan, builds on the 2017 State of the State, which established the target of up to 2.4 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. That is the nation’s largest commitment to offshore wind power, and aims to position New York as the leading offshore wind market.
The solicitations for 800 megawatts of offshore wind power are the first in a schedule to meet the 2030 target and are intended to create competition among developers to build offshore wind installations.
The governor is also directing the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to invest $15 million in clean energy work force development and infrastructure advancement to train workers for jobs in fields including offshore wind construction, installation, operation, maintenance, design, and associated infrastructure. The authority has also been directed to work with Empire State Development and other state agencies on other offshore wind projects.
Joseph Martens, the executive director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance and a former commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Conservation, applauded the move. “Governor Cuomo clearly demonstrated that he is going to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to renewable energy, generally, and offshore wind specifically,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “His proposal today hits the trifecta: a commitment to procure at least 800 megawatts of offshore wind over the next two years, a $15 million investment in clean energy work force training and development including offshore wind, and identification of the most promising public and private offshore wind port infrastructure investments.”
“These initiatives are bold, smart, and will help ensure that New York becomes the hub of this new United States clean energy industry,” Mr. Martens said.