May 31, 2023 – Albany, NY – Today, Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Didi Barrett held a rally in the Capitol building to advocate for legislation to increase New York’s offshore wind goals. S. 6327/A. 7407 would increase the State’s current goal of 9 gigawatts (GW) of offshore energy by 2035 to 9.9 GW and establish three new ambitious targets: 15.8 GW by 2040, 18 GW by 2045, and 20 GW by 2050.
Elected officials were joined by New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe, New York Offshore Wind Alliance Director Fred Zalcman, New York State Laborers’ Organizing Fund, and other environmental groups and labor advocates. The event followed the release of a joint letter in support of the bill from several leaders of environmental and labor groups.
This legislation would advance New York as a national leader and a hub for the offshore wind industry on the East Coast while also creating thousands of good union labor jobs and millions of dollars in economic benefits.
State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Senate sponsor of the bill said, “Increasing our offshore wind generation targets is one of the most significant steps New York State can take to ensure that we stay on track to meet the challenges posed by climate change and make New York a national model for renewable energy generation, while ushering in a far more environmentally sustainable, healthy, affordable, and economically secure future for all New Yorkers. I thank Assemblymember Didi Barrett for championing this bill in the Assembly. Thanks also to the New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, and the many environmental and labor advocates who have backed this legislation. It is essential that we pass this bill before we adjourn the legislative session.”
“New York State continues to make significant progress towards reaching the renewable energy production goals set forth in our Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and we must remain flexible to adapt to new developments in the ever-evolving energy landscape,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “This legislation, which I am pleased to carry with Senator Brian Kavanagh, will build upon New York’s current success by increasing the current New York State offshore wind production target and establishing new additional targets for 2040, 2045, and 2050, helping distribute the siting of renewable energy generation throughout the state to regions with the highest energy demands.”
“This bill would position New York as the leader in offshore wind development, an exciting new industry that will be pivotal to transitioning to clean energy and meeting our ambitious climate goals. We must plan ahead today to make New York State the offshore wind leader I know we can be in the years to come,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Thank you to Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Barrett for being strong advocates for offshore wind.”
“This legislation ensures that New York will maintain its leadership position in the race to build a domestic offshore wind industry in the U.S., replete with modern ports and harbors, local manufacturing, a trained workforce, and of course, clean and renewable generation serving millions of households,” said Fred Zalcman, Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance. “We applaud Senator Kavanagh and Assemblywoman Barrett for their foresight in establishing a vibrant market for offshore wind for the long haul.”
“Unionized labor is eager to help enact New York’s transition to clean energy. With this legislation, we can build significant offshore wind capacity while creating quality, family-sustaining jobs for thousands of New Yorkers. We thank Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Barrett for including provisions in the bill that ensure offshore wind infrastructure will be built with union labor,” said Vincent Albanese, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the New York State Laborers’ Organizing Fund.
“Offshore wind will provide a substantial, clear path forward to fight climate change, reduce New York’s emissions and break our addiction to fossil fuels. We must use 21st century clean energy technology to wean ourselves off fossil fuel power plants built in the 1950s. We congratulate Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Barrett in advancing critical legislation that propels New York forward in our efforts to transition to the new clean, green, renewable energy generation. The time to act is now,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.