Talking Points - NYSERDA Offshore Wind Master Plan Public Meetings – Long Island - July 10-12, 2017

 (For meeting dates and locations click here.)

• Governor Cuomo and NYSERDA should be applauded for their efforts to develop a New York Offshore Wind Master Plan as part of the State’s strategy to produce 50% of its energy from renewable sources, which will help New York create new energy options that are safe, clean, sustainable, affordable and good for jobs and the economy.

• New York’s need for renewable electricity is growing – particularly for the millions of residents and thousands of employers on Long Island and in New York City. Offshore wind power can meet that need with clean, local, abundant and cost-effective energy for millions of homes.

• NYSERDA’s Offshore Wind Master Plan will create a roadmap for how our state can take advantage of the strong winds far off the coast of Long Island and at the same time protect our coastal and marine wildlife and preserve existing offshore industries and activities. Offshore wind power off New York can and must be developed responsibly with strong protections in place for the environment every step of the way.

• NYSERDA’s plan to collect public input on this process is smart, taking into account the many issues to consider in bringing major new clean energy infrastructure to New York. It’s also inclusive and gives interested stakeholders an opportunity to weigh-in and maximize the benefits of this new industry for New York.

• It’s rare to see business, labor, environmentalists and community leaders come together in support of common goal, but the development of large-scale offshore wind power is the win for the economy, the environment and the communities of New York that brings together these diverse interests.

• Offshore wind power is new to the United States but it has been a proven success in other places. For over 25 years, this technology has been creating pollution-free energy and well-paying jobs overseas. This booming global industry in Europe is currently supporting  more than 85,000 jobs across a range of sectors in both coastal and inland communities.

• What this will cost is a logical question. The fact is that any step we take now will require investment — whether it’s repowering existing fossil fuel plants or creating new renewable energy sources like offshore wind or solar. Over the long term, offshore wind is much less expensive because instead of paying for a fossil fuel to power generators, we’re taking advantage of the wind, which blows for free. And because wind is emission-free with no pollution, it will have health and environmental benefits that are impossible to put a dollar figure on.

• Offshore wind is starting up in Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island and several other states already moving to diversify their energy portfolios with this clean, new power source. New York can leapfrog these other states and be the national leader in offshore wind – creating thousands of good-paying, skilled jobs and spurring billions in investment, all while creating cleaner energy sources for our families and future generations.

 (For meeting dates and locations click here.)