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Response to Unlawful Stop-Work Order on Revolution Wind Project

RE: Opposition to Unlawful Stop-Work Order on Revolution Wind Project

The Trump Administration's decision to halt construction on the Revolution Wind project represents a dangerous assault on America's energy security, economic competitiveness, and environmental future. This dramatic action further erodes investor confidence in the U.S. market across all industries and undermines progress on shared national priorities while jeopardizing thousands of jobs and billions in investments. As with the stop-work order that was issued (and subsequently lifted) for the Empire Wind project in April, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has failed to provide any reasoning behind their decision, other than concerns related to "national security."

The future of offshore wind power in New York and across the United States, faced a sudden and jarring roadblock last week. The Trump administration's April 16 order to halt construction on the 810-megawatt Empire Wind 1 project sent shockwaves through the renewable energy sector. Despite being fully permitted and already under construction, the project has been frozen amid a sweeping review of federal leasing and permitting practices.

Empire Wind 1, which would have spanned 80,000 acres in the New York Bight and delivered clean electricity to half a million New York City homes, is now in limbo. The project has already created more than 1,500 U.S. jobs and marked a major step forward in America’s transition to a clean energy future.

Renewable Energy Long Island (reLI) has been a steadfast supporter of offshore wind, and in the wake of this troubling development, Executive Director Melissa Parrott is speaking out. "'Disappointed' would be a word that we would use," she said. "We were optimistic that Trump would understand the value of the U.S.-generated energy that he speaks so much of."

Parrott emphasized the deep contradiction in halting a project that aligns so clearly with domestic energy independence, economic development, and climate resilience. "This is clean power created right off the coast of Long Island. It would power thousands and thousands of homes," she said.

As the federal government moves backward, reLI and its partners are moving forward. "We’re going to get loud," Parrott declared. She pointed to a ramped-up public education campaign aimed at dispelling misinformation and amplifying the real-world benefits of offshore wind. "That’s the biggest thing we’re up against now."

Parrott also spoke to the broader picture: "Utilities are really moving forward well with this clean energy transition, and this momentum is going to be real hard to stop." But she acknowledged the danger of current political interference. "Clearly we’re hitting an area where it’s pausing. The goal is to keep working with the utilities, with Governor Hochul, with our congressmen on keeping the benefits to their constituents and residents of Long Island in mind."

This week, reLI joined a rally at the Nassau County Legislature in response to local opposition stoked by misinformation. The strategy, according to Parrott, is clear: “To fight back and have our own press conference, our own ability to share with the general public facts, science, and benefits, and to be as loud as them in fighting this misinformation."

Now more than ever, projects like Empire Wind 1 represent more than just turbines in the water. They are symbols of economic opportunity, energy resilience, and environmental progress. reLI remains committed to defending New York's clean energy future, and making sure the voices of Long Islanders are heard, loud and clear.

Read more here: https://www.easthamptonstar.com/government/2025424/feds-move-to-halt-offshore-wind

DATE: December 16, 2022 Contact: Gregory Sandor | mailto:[email protected] | (516) 832 - 2591

Hubs will foster community engagement and ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from New York’s clean energy transition

- EAST MEADOW, NY — Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $4 million in funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau County (CCE) to establish a Regional Clean Energy Hub (Hub) in the Long Island region, as part of an initiative to connect local communities with clean energy resources. The Hub will unify the region’s clean energy programs and services, and build on the extensive relationships, expertise and experience of CCE associations and partnering agencies. Regional partners for the Long Island Hub Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, United Way of Long Island, Renewable Energy Long Island, Hofstra University, Molloy University, and Farmingdale State College.

$9 Million Competitive Opportunity Launched for Expanded Offshore Wind Workforce Development and Training Initiatives to Address Workforce Gaps and Prepare New Yorkers for High-Growth Jobs

October 20, 2022

Governor Kathy Hochul and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the successful land transfer between New York State and Suffolk County to bring a National Offshore Wind Training Center to New York. The Governor also launched a $9 million competitive opportunity through the State's Offshore Wind Training Institute, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in collaboration with the State University of New York Farmingdale State College and Stony Brook University, for expanded offshore wind workforce development and training initiatives to address workforce gaps and prepare New Yorkers for high-growth jobs in this growing industry. Today's announcements represent continued progress to establish New York State as the nation's primary hub for offshore wind and supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

REPORT EXPECTS CONTINUED DECLINE IN NORTHPORT POWER STATION USE FROM 55% OF PLANT CAPACITY IN 2005 TO 2.9% BY 2035

UNIONDALE, NY - May 19, 2020 — The Long Island Power Authority today released a New York State mandated Repowering Feasibility Study of the Northport Power Station, alongside its annual Property Tax Report. The study shows that accelerating the retirement of 400 to 600 megawatts of vintage, fossil-fueled steam power plants in 2022 can save Long Island electric consumers over $300 million.

“These reports demonstrate that our efforts to reduce electric demand through one of the nation’s leading energy efficiency programs is both good for the environment and our customers’ electric bills,” LIPA Chief Executive Officer Tom Falcone said. “In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stress it is placing on families throughout Long Island, it is more important than ever that we operate efficiently, reduce cost, and treat all our customers fairly.”

Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island, said: “Retiring vintage fossil-fueled power plants makes sense as we remodel our energy infrastructure to a 21^st-century system running on renewable energy with smarter, more energy-efficient technology. We commend LIPA for the vision to power Long Island 100 percent with clean and renewable power sources by 2040, which will dramatically reduce air and climate pollution while saving consumers money.”

New York State Announces First Ever Offshore Wind Energy Awards

Nation-leading Program Sends Powerful Message To Launch Offshore Wind Industry

ALBANY, New York, July 18, 2019 — Governor Cuomo announced today that Equinor US Holdings and a joint venture between Orsted A/S and Eversource Energy are the successful bidders in the State’s first ever offshore wind solicitation conducted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Following a competitive process, NYSERDA selected two projects that when constructed will provide 1700 megawatts-hours of clean, renewable electricity into New York’s grid, enough to power 1 million households. The 1700 MW award is the largest in the nation to-date and the first major installment toward the Governor’s nation-leading commitment to develop 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035. It is an important step towards the greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy targets contained in the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.