NYOWA’s goal is to secure a commitment from New York to develop 5,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2030.
A diverse coalition of organizations including environmental groups, offshore wind-power developers, advocates, academics, and consultants have formed the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA). The coalition is a project of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), a non-profit organization promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in New York.
The mission of NYOWA is to promote policies that will lead to the development of offshore wind off the coast of New York State. NYOWA’s specific goal is to secure a commitment from New York to develop 5,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2030. The Alliance will undertake public education and advocacy to build support for achieving this goal in New York.
“The waters off of New York City and Long Island feature exceptionally strong and consistent wind resources that can be harnessed to satisfy the immense demand for clean, reliable, and cost-effective power,” said Liz Gordon, the Director of NYOWA. “Now is the time for the Empire State’s leaders to make a long-term, large-scale commitment to offshore wind power, which is essential to achieving Governor Cuomo’s goal of 50% renewable energy for New York by 2030.”
NYOWA’s work is guided by a Steering Committee that includes representatives from 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.
“We applaud Governor Cuomo’s visionary leadership in renewable energy,” said Jeff Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind. “By developing the world-class wind resources off the coast of Long Island and New York City, New York State can not only achieve the Governor’s laudable goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030 but also will help to defer the need to build costly new power plants or controversial new transmission lines.”
“A significant New York commitment to large-scale offshore wind power will jump-start the deployment of this new clean and abundant energy source, not only in the state, but up and down the East coast,” said Stephanie McClellan, Director of the Special Initiative on Offshore Wind, a program of the University of Delaware. “Providing this impetus for investment in the supply chain and infrastructure will dramatically reduce costs while increasing clean energy and economic development for New York.”
In addition to the Steering Committee members, initial partners of NYOWA include: AWS Truepower, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Ecology & Environment, Environmental Advocates of NY, Renewable Energy Long Island, The Nature Conservancy – New York and UPROSE.
“As the world leader in offshore wind development, DONG Energy is eager to bring its expertise and resources to bear in building a robust clean, secure and renewable energy sector right here in New York,” said Thomas Brostrøm, General Manager of DONG Energy Wind Power. “We look forward to working with members of NYOWA and NY officials to put in place the appropriate policies and programs to capitalize on this home-grown resource.
Any organization interested in supporting offshore wind power for New York is welcome to join NYOWA, and can get more information at www.aceny.org/NYOWA.
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Policy
