Wind alliance backs NY offshore

Source: By Renewable Energy News • Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017

A coalition of business, environmental and community leaders has backed Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to make offshore wind the focus of New York’s renewable energy plan.

Ahead of a series of public meetings hosted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA) has voiced its support for developing green energy off the state’s coastline.

The meetings are part of a process to create an Offshore Wind Master Plan to aid Governor Cuomo’s commitment to having 50% of New York’s power generated by renewable energy sources by 2030.

NYOWA director Joe Martens said: “New York has a unique opportunity to become a national leader in offshore wind if it acts in a comprehensive and timely way.

“The Offshore Master Plan holds the key to creating a new clean energy economy that means emission-free offshore wind, new job-creating industries and economic opportunity, while reducing reliance on polluting fossil fuels and improving public health.”

The NYOWA, a project of the non-profit Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), was set up in 2016 to support the aim of creating 2.4GW of offshore wind power by 2030.

Its work is guided by a steering committee that includes representatives from the ACE NY, Deepwater Wind, Dong Energy, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and the University of Delaware’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind.