Statements from Anne Reynolds, Executive Director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York and New York Offshore Wind Alliance Director Joe Martens in Support of Governor Cuomo’s Clean Energy/Offshore Wind Initiatives

Albany, NY – Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State and Budget speech today included a bold commitment to 100% clean, carbon-free electricity by 2040 as part of the Green New Deal, making it the most aggressive clean energy goal in the United States -- and five years sooner than the target recently adopted by California.

“Today was a big day for the clean energy industry in New York and we thank Gov. Cuomo for his recognition of the great potential of renewable energy jobs in New York,” said Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Anne Reynolds. “The state’s commitment to wind and solar power will attract the interest and investment we need to get projects built. And we applaud the Governor’s announcement that 8 new staff members will be hired to accelerate renewable project siting and permitting.”

“Governor Cuomo delivered today on his promise for a Green New Deal,” said New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA) Director Joe Martens.  “He hit the trifecta by increasing the clean energy standard to 70% renewable electricity by 2030, raising the offshore wind goal to 9,000 megawatts and investing a nation-leading $200 million in related port infrastructure. These ambitious new targets will accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy, generate thousands of good-paying jobs and reduce greenhouse gases. These initiatives are good for New York, the region and the nation. The New York Offshore Wind Alliance applauds the Governor’s bold and visionary announcements and commits to working with his Administration to ensure they are realized.”

The Green New Deal will create the State’s first statutory Climate Action Council, comprised of the heads of relevant state agencies and other workforce, environmental justice, and clean energy experts to develop a plan to make New York carbon neutral.

The cornerstone of the Green New Deal is an increase of New York’s successful Clean Energy Standard mandate from 50% to 70% renewable electricity by 2030. This ramp-up includes:

  • Quadrupling New York’s offshore wind target to 9,000 megawatts by 2035, up from 2,400 megawatts by 2030.
  • Doubling distributed solar deployment to 6,000 megawatts by 2025, up from 3,000 megawatts by 2023.
  • More than doubling new large-scale land-based wind and solar resources through the Clean Energy Standard.
  • Maximizing the contributions and potential of New York's existing renewable resources.
  • Deploying 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030.

In addition, the Governor has instructed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in concert with the Department of Public Service (DPS), to expand and enhance the Solar For All program and couple it with energy savings opportunities, increasing access to affordable and clean energy for low-income, environmental justice and other underserved communities.

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About the Alliance for Clean Energy New York: The Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) is a broad coalition dedicated to promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, a healthy environment, and a strong economy for the Empire State, and is New York’s premier advocate for the rapid adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. www.aceny.org

About the New York Offshore Wind Alliance: The New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA) is a diverse coalition of organizations with a shared interest in promoting the responsible development of offshore wind power for New York.  NYOWA is a new project of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY). www.aceny.org/NYOWA