Environmental Organizations Applaud Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy for our Island 

Farmingdale, NY – Today the Long Island Power Authority and PSEG-Long Island released a long awaited draft plan for current and future energy needs for Long Island.  New York has a target to source 50 percent of energy from renewables, including a target to add 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind power to New York’s grid, by 2030.  The cost effective investments in offshore wind, energy efficiency and new renewable energy under the draft plan positions the utility to comply with New York State’s targets and outlines a bold path forward for transformation to a 21^st century utility. 

The three year study concluded that sinking more ratepayer funds in outdated fossil fuel power plants and building new gas plants is unnecessary given the high $5 billion cost, the reduced prices of natural gas and the fact that these outdated investments are not needed for grid reliability. Instead, the findings conclude that the most cost effective new investments will increase the growth of renewable energy from 2017 through 2030 in order to better balance and diversify Long Island’s energy needs and will stabilize and reduce costs for bill payers.  The utility plans on adding 800 megawatts of offshore wind and solar in addition to 950 megawatts of rooftop solar, other renewables and energy saving measures. 

Highlights of LIPA/PSEG 2017 LI Integrated Resource Plan findings

• Flat Forecasts: LIPA revised its long-term load forecasts downward now predicting virtually no growth through 2035. 1,700 MW decline by 2030 compared to 2013 forecast (equal to 3 – 5 large power plants).
• Historic Tipping Point: Instead of continued investments in outdated fossil fueled power plants, LIPA now plans to add build out renewable energy on Long Island.
• Fossil Power Going Down: Power production at Long Island’s legacy power plants has declined since 1999 from about 50% runtime to as little as 11% and is projected decline even further by 2030.
• Repowering Can’t Compete with Renewables: electricity from new or refurbished large power plants would cost as much or more than current renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is now cost competitive and future costs are expected to decline further.
• Modern Grid Additions: Instead of investing in large fossil generators, renewable energy technologies will be augmented by more flexible peaking generators, battery storage, smart grid controls and energy demand management, and distributed energy sources.
• 50% Renewables by 2030:  LIPA's new Energy Guide envisions dramatic growth of renewable energy from 2017 through 2030, in line with NY State mandate to meet half of state’s electricity consumption from renewable energy sources.
• Clean Power for 350,000 Homes: 800 MW of solar & offshore wind power will provide enough power for 350,000 homes by 2030, in addition to 950 MW of energy efficiency savings, rooftop solar energy and other renewables.
• More Offshore: Governor Cuomo’s 2,400 MW of offshore wind power will likely be off Long Island’s shores and interconnect to the electric grid on Long Island.
• Aiming for 100% Renewable Energy: In his 2017 State of the State address, Governor Cuomo laid out New York’s long term objective to meet 100% of our energy needs from renewables by saying: “We want to get 2.4 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 and we are not going to stop until we reach 100 percent renewable because that’s what a sustainable New York is really all about.”

 In response, environmentalists released the following statements:

Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy Long Island speaks at the Rally for Renewables on October 30, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2014

Contact: Kim Teplitzky,267-307-4707, kim.teplitzky@sierraclub.org

Long Island Assembly Members, Community, Conservation Leaders Call on Gov. Cuomo, LIPA to Commit to Offshore Wind

Assembly Delegation letter & 20,000 petitions signatures presented at rally 

Uniondale – Today, Assemblyman Englebright joined dozens of community leaders at a rally outside LIPA headquarters calling on Governor Cuomo and LIPA to commit to offshore wind power this year. The Assemblyman presented LIPA with a letter of from the Long Island delegation that highlights the tremendous economic opportunity that would come with building wind off Long Island’s coasts.

In addition to the letter, conservation groups presented LIPA and the Department of Public Service with more than 20,000 petition signatures. The groups urged LIPA to follow through on their commitment to invest in 280MW of new renewable energy this year by choosing an offshore wind project 30 miles off the coast of Montauk.

A Hub for Long Island Offshore Wind News

January 25, 2017: (Uniondale, Long Island, NY) 

GROUPS APPLAUD LIPA, GOVERNOR CUOMO FOR HISTORIC ACTION ADVANCING NATION'S LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) voted on January 25, 2017 to formally approve the development of New York’s first ever, and the nation’s largest, offshore wind farm, located off the east end of Long Island. The approved 90-megawatt, 15-turbine offshore wind farm will produce enough energy to power over 50,000 homes. LIPA cited that offshore wind was the most cost effective proposal to meet Long Island’s South Fork energy needs.  

Last week, in his bold State of the State announcement, Governor Cuomo committed to building 2,400 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind power by 2030 – enough to power 1.25 million homes. The Administration will also release a master plan by the end of the year, mapping out the state’s intention to build offshore wind to scale, which is essential in ensuring the Governor meets his goal to power 50 percent of New York’s energy from renewables by 2030. The Governor also pledged his support for New York’s first, and the nation’s largest, offshore wind project off the east end of Long Island.

Local, state and national organizations hailed this project as an essential first step towards a bold, long-term, large scale offshore wind program for New York. Building off of LIPA’s historic vote today, groups also urged the LIPA Board of Directors to commit to an additional investment of at least 210 more megawatts of offshore wind in the upcoming Island Wide procurement. The decision, which is expected to happen in March of 2017, will help ensure Long Island becomes a regional hub for a new, clean energy industry, spurring thousands of jobs and economic development opportunities throughout the state.

“This is a big step for LIPA, a bold step for renewable energy on Long Island, and the beginning of an offshore wind industry in the State of New York and the country,” said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island. “We commend Governor Cuomo and LIPA for showing visionary leadership in the transition to renewable energy and thank all who have advocated for offshore wind energy over the last couple of decades.”

Click here for the entire news release (1/25/2017) with quotes from elected officials, business, labor & enviro leaders.

Click here to read offshore wind support statements from Long Island leaders

Click here to learn more about the South Fork Wind Farm to be built 30 miles east of Montauk

Click here to view offshore wind support letters from regional advocacy organizations

The majority of Long Islanders supports an offshore wind farm proposed for 30 miles east of Montauk Point.

Global climate change threatens the area with dangers like rising sea levels, an increase in the intensity of storms including hurricanes, etc.  By promoting the adoption of locally-produced renewable energy, we can help preserve our community for tomorrow’s generation, while strengthening the local electrical system’s reliability today.

Benefits of solar:

• Reduces harmful emissions and delivers reliable power when our grid needs it the most.
• Predictable low cost energy for years to come.
• Sustainable, renewable.
• Following its useful life, the project will be decommissioned – the facility will be removed and land will be restored to pre-facility conditions according to input from local authorities, conservation groups and key stakeholders.

HELP NEW YORK MEET CLEAN ENERGY GOALS

The Long Island solar projects will help New York State meet Governor Cuomo’s clean energy and carbon reduction goals.

THE PROJECTS*

• Riverhead Solar Farm > 

• Shoreham Solar Farm >

 *The above is a list of currently proposed solar energy projects on Long Island. To read more about the proposed offshore wind project, click here.

Quotes from key influencers about solar in NY:

"When Governor Cuomo unveiled his NY-Sun Initiative at the beginning of 2012, he made increasing solar power a major initiative for the state,”
– Francis Murray, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA).  Solar Reviews, 06.10.13

Gov. Cuomo’s Successful NY-Sun Solar Program Will Shine through 2023.  Business, Environmental Leaders Applaud Commitment to 10 Times More Clean, Affordable Solar Power in New York State.
– Reuters, 04.24.14