Long Island, NY — The New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) is hosting a series of informational open houses throughout the month to provide the latest updates on the state's plan for offshore wind development. Tuesday’s Brookhaven meeting included details on the two proposed projects from Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind.

These two large-scale offshore wind projects will generate enough power to supply 1 million homes with electricity. By 2035, NYSERDA hopes to generate enough clean energy from the turbines to power 6 million homes. The projects are necessary for the state to accomplish the goals set by it’s recent climate legislation, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), designed to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. 

By requiring developers to work with labor and community groups, NYSERDA can ensure local, good-paying, family wage jobs through manufacturing opportunities from offshore wind. Coupled with further investments in rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and grid upgrades like battery storage, New York can become a leader in addressing the climate crisis and help the state meet its legal requirement of reaching a 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2040. 

The Sierra Club, labor unions, allied groups, and local residents attended the open houses and voiced their support for strong environmental protections, community benefits, and labor standards in New York’s increasing investment in offshore wind.