FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2018
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Bob Bellafiore
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New York Offshore Wind Alliance: Low-Cost Offshore Wind Option Best for Economy and EnvironmentDone Right, Gov. Cuomo’s Initiative Would Create Thousands of Jobs and Billions in Economic Activity & Reduce Consumer Electricity Costs
PSC Must Act Quickly; Nearby States Aggressively Seeking
Same Port & Supply Chain Benefits
ALBANY, NY – A statewide coalition of environmental, business and labor groups is urging New York’s energy regulators to adopt a “low-cost” option for bringing offshore wind power to New York because it can generate the most jobs, the largest overall economic and environmental benefit, and could significantly lower electricity costs in the downstate region.
But New York needs to move fast because it’s in a race with New Jersey, Massachusetts and other states to become the hub of a burgeoning clean energy economy and reap the benefits that come from being a national offshore wind leader, the New York Offshore Wind Alliance said.
The projections and urgings are contained in the Alliance’s official comments to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC), which is considering options for how to implement Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s offshore wind initiative. 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.
“Our analysis shows that done right, 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,” said NYOWA Director Joe Martens.
“To realize these benefits though, the PSC needs to adopt a ‘low-cost option’ as quickly as possible to allow the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to initiate a procurement for offshore wind in 2018. We cannot be left behind by other states that are moving quickly to develop this clean energy source,” Martens said.
Gov. Cuomo has proposed a plan to create enough offshore wind energy to power 1.25 million homes by 2030. The PSC is considering options on how to bring to consumers the first 800 MW from wind farms to be developed off New York’s Atlantic coast.
The Alliance’s comments to the PSC and the economic report prepared by the Brattle Group can be found here. They are summarized as follows:
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About the New York Offshore Wind Alliance
The New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA) is a diverse coalition of nearly 30 organizations with a shared interest in promoting the responsible development of offshore wind power for New York. A project of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), NYOWA has a particular focus on Governor Cuomo's goal of creating 2,400 MW of offshore wind power by 2030.
For more information see: www.aceny.org/NYOWA
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