Listen to this articleDoreen Harris, president and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, met with 80 business leaders on Long Island.
Hosted by the Long Island Association’s Energy & Environment Committee, the April 17 meeting focused on the state’s transition to renewable energy and efforts to achieve New York State’s goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA.
“We continue to make steady progress towards our clean energy goals and Long Island’s support, vision, and innovative spirit will continue to help us lead the nation in this regard,” Harris said in a news release.
Long Island has played a leading role in the offshore wind industry with South Fork Wind completed, as well as a rapid request for proposal process that resulted in provisional contracts for Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind.
“The LIA supports decarbonizing our energy mix, and reaping the economic, environmental, and job creation benefits that comes with it,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said in a written statement. “Long Island recently made history with South Fork Wind – America’s first commercial-scale wind farm and the first in New York State – and we will continue to play a leading role in our state’s energy transition.”
In the week that followed the meeting, NYSERDA cancelled three of its offshore wind projects because of “technical and commercial complexities between provisional awardees and their partners,” according to published reports.
But on Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that a $200 million supportive manufacturing and logistics RFP is now open to support investments in infrastructure and manufacturing to grow the domestic offshore wind supply chain in New York. In addition, a request for information (RFI) will be issued to inform the development of New York’s fifth offshore wind project solicitation and design of a coordinated $300 million RFP focusing on major component offshore wind supply chain investments.
“Gov. Hochul continues to take swift action to ensure the advancement of the offshore wind industry, which is critical to our state’s energy goals and will continue to have a transformative impact on Long Island’s economy,” Cohen said in a statement to LIBN on Thursday.
Meanwhile, last week’s discussion “was a testament to Long Island’s commitment to leading the charge in New York’s energy transition,” Rich Humann, president and CEO of H2M and committee cochair, said in a written statement. “The insights shared today reinforce our resolve to champion initiatives that promote a greener economy, foster innovation, and pave the way for an inclusive energy landscape that benefits all New Yorkers.”
The LIA’s Energy and Environment Committee explores and advocates for comprehensive solutions that address the energy and environmental needs of Long Island. The committee examines a variety of issues, including green jobs, power generation, efficiency, groundwater protection, agriculture, and clean air.