— Posted by JVS on 2.4.23, backdated to 2.2.23
Tag: wind energy
22-6.27 – “PRESS RELEASE: NYCEDC Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Potential Offshore Wind Innovation and R&D Projects”
The below press release was issued by NYCEDC on 6.27.22. The related RFI is available here.
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PRESS RELEASE: NYCEDC Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Potential Offshore Wind Innovation and R&D Projects
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2022
Contact: Public Affairs | publicaffairs@edc.nyc
NYCEDC Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Potential Offshore Wind Innovation and R&D Projects
Building on City’s $191M Commitment for OSW, RFI Seeks to Solve Industry Challenges and Create Economic Opportunities for New Yorkers
NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) released a Request for Information (RFI) to catalyze local offshore wind (“OSW”) innovation. This RFI invites entities from the public and private sector to submit project proposals that have the potential to generate new technologies, businesses, and approaches to R&D and commercialization for the offshore wind industry specifically and the clean energy sector broadly.
The RFI will provide NYCEDC with information regarding innovations that solve OSW industry challenges and create economic opportunities for New Yorkers. After receiving and reviewing RFI responses, NYCEDC may release one or more subsequent Requests for Proposals for innovation-related infrastructure, which could lead to one or more awards with resources from the City’s $191 million financial commitment to the 15-year Offshore Wind Vision Plan. Respondents to the RFI can be a private business, academic institution, philanthropic organization, non-profit entity, or partnership thereof. Examples of desired innovation include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Design (e.g., improving design of turbines, substations, etc.)
- Materials & Construction (e.g., improving raw material usage and component manufacturing)
- Systems & Planning (e.g., improving grid integration / resilience and supply chain logistics)
Respondents should articulate a vision that addresses the City’s goals as outlined in the RFI. In addition to advancing innovations in the OSW industry, respondents’ proposals should meaningfully advance equity goals and increase economic opportunities for New Yorkers, particularly residents in environmental justice communities.
“The RFI is a good step toward advancing New York City’s Offshore Wind Vision Plan and generating innovative ideas that help create new supply chains and clean energy infrastructure to maintain the OSW industry,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I look forward to seeing all the great proposals that come out of this request for information and thank NYCEDC for engaging a diverse set of stakeholders to build a more equitable, healthier, and greener city for all.”
“We are paving the way toward our vision of New York City as a world-renowned offshore wind hub,” said President and CEO of NYCEDC Andrew Kimball. “The RFI will help to identify innovation in this industry and leverage a unique opportunity to create well-paying future-focused green jobs, maximize local economic benefits, and generate clean energy – putting us one step closer to achieving an equitable economic recovery.”
NYCEDC does not intend to issue any awards or agreements on the basis of this RFI. This RFI should be viewed as a pre-competitive stage of solicitation
Responses to this RFI are due by 11:59PM EST on September 9, 2022. Visit the RFI webpage at edc.nyc/rfps for more information.
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About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that creates shared prosperity across New York City by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. We work with and for communities to bring emerging industries to New York City; develop spaces and facilities for businesses; empower New Yorkers through training and skill-building; and invest in sustainable and innovative projects that make the city a great place to live and work. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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Posted by JVS on 9.5.22, backdated to 6.27.22
4.7.21 – Release: “ERIC ADAMS RELEASES HIS PLAN TO TURN NEW YORK CITY INTO WIND POWER HUB OF THE NORTHEAST”
The below press release was sent out by the Eric Adams mayoral campaign on 4.7.21. The release linked to this document entitled the, “Eric Adams Wind Power Plan.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: jbayona@ericadams2021.com (347) 878 8410
ERIC ADAMS RELEASES HIS PLAN TO TURN NEW YORK CITY INTO WIND POWER HUB OF THE NORTHEAST
New York, NY–New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams released his plan today to turn New York City into the wind power hub of the Northeast, calling the emerging industry “a tailwind for our new economy”.
Adams’ plan includes leveraging waterfront assets like the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the Red Hook Container Terminal, the Staten Island waterfront, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and others to take advantage of new federal funding announced last week so that New York can design, construct and ship the components necessary to build wind farms in the region. And Adams specifically called for approval of the proposed Arthur Kill wind power facility in Staten Island.
You can read Adams’ full wind power plan here and attached. Photos attached.
“New York City has always been a hub for innovation, new ideas, and progressive thinking. There is no reason New York City shouldn’t be a leader in wind power. We have the resources and we can foster the talent–we just have not had the leadership to get it done,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “With forwarding thinking and smart planning, the wind power industry can be a tailwind for our new economy as we emerge stronger from COVID-19. And, most importantly, since we are building this new industry from scratch in New York, we can ensure that the good union jobs and prosperity that come from it go to the lower-income communities and communities of color that are struggling the most.”
“Thank you, President Biden, and thank you, Eric Adams,” said Frank Agosta, President Local 1814 International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). “The investment in Brooklyn and Staten Island Port infrastructure is both an opportunity and essential. Our economy has to grow green and wind power is a key component. The men and women of the ILA are ready to work with all levels of government –City, State and federal — to make these investments a success.”
“The International Longshoremen’s Association is excited for the opportunity to bring jobs and clean energy to the shores of Staten Island with port infrastructure improvements to efficiently handle the shipment and assembly of tall, heavy wind turbines,” said Michael Izzo, President of ILA Local 920. “Staten Island can be a leader in clean energy that can also be an economic boom for New York City. Wind energy reduces pollution and generates good jobs – longshore jobs, manufacturing jobs and so much more.”
Adams would also commit to upfront capital investments to prepare our ports and harbors for the new industry. New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maryland have committed to buying 30,000 megawatts of offshore electricity over the next 14 years. This would be enough electricity to power 20 million homes and create tens of thousands of new jobs.
Adams also detailed his plan to create a wind power industry jobs pipeline in New York City from City schools through our colleges and City-sponsored job-training programs to get New Yorkers connected to waiting jobs in local businesses. Adams would include Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools and CUNY schools like Kingsborough CC in his plan in order to guarantee the industry hires locally as it grows.
In addition to the increase in new, good-paying, long-term green jobs, Adams’ wind power plan will also help New York and the region achieve its renewable energy goals and do its part to stop climate change.
In January, the first step of Adams’ plan — the wind turbine plant in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal — was announced after years of advocacy by Borough President Adams. Adams today proposed adding an additional manufacturing site at Arthur Kill in Staten Island, as well as job sites in the Navy Yard and at the Red Hook Container Terminal. He also proposed creating a state-of-the-art wind power jobs training center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and acknowledged the work of UPROSE and other community leaders there for their years of work pushing plans for green jobs and a working port for local residents to work at.
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Jose Bayona
Senior Advisor
Latino & Ethnic Outreach
@josebayona
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Posted by JVS on 4.18.21, backdated to 4.7.21
3.30.21 – Release: “Historic National Offshore Wind Announcement”
The below press release was sent out by NYSERDA on 3.30.21:
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The historic national offshore wind announcement made yesterday by the Biden Administration demonstrates the United States’ commitment to addressing global climate change and, with the establishment of a national offshore wind goal of 30 gigawatts by 2030 and a pathway to a potential 110 gigawatts by 2050, it significantly helps position New York State in achieving its goal of 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.
Highlights of the Biden Administration’s announcement include:
- Announcing a new priority Wind Energy Area in the New York Bight, in which the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will publish a Proposed Sale Notice, followed by a formal comment period and a lease sale in late 2021 or early 2022;
- Deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in the United States by 2030, including plans to advance new lease sales and complete reviews of Construction and Operations Plans by 2021 which represents more than 19 GW of new clean energy;
- Advancing critical permitting for the Ocean Wind Project (NJ), and initiating the environmental reviews for up to ten additional projects later this year;
- Investing $230 million for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program;
- Providing access to $3 billion in debt capital through the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office to support the offshore wind industry;
- Awarding $8 million to 15 offshore wind research and development projects through the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, which NYSERDA created with the Department of Energy;
- Initiating a federal partnership agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and offshore wind developer, Ørsted, to share physical and biological data to fill gaps in ocean science; and
- Releasing a request for research proposals to support more than $1 million in grant funding to improve understanding of offshore renewable energy for the benefit of a diversity of stakeholders including fishing and coastal communities.
For additional information about the Biden Administration’s offshore wind announcement, please read the recent release from The White House.
These actions represent a giant leap forward for our country in building back better and reinforce New York’s dedicated work over the last five years to lead the nation in offshore wind development, create a promising new national industry, and build a supply chain pipeline that delivers economic and job growth opportunities for future generations.
NYSERDA is grateful for your partnership in helping to advance offshore wind in New York and remains committed to engaging stakeholders as we continue our development of offshore wind. As we move into this next phase of collaboration with BOEM and other federal and state partners, we look forward to our continued dialog to ensure offshore wind is developed responsibly and cost-effectively.
Sincerely,
NYSERDA‘s Offshore Wind Team
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— Posted by JVS on 4.2.21, backdated to 3.30.21
3.29.21 – “FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Jumpstarts Offshore Wind Energy Projects to Create Jobs”
The below fact sheet was issued by the Biden administration on 3.29.21.
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Interior, Energy, Commerce, and Transportation Departments Announce New Leasing, Funding, and Development Goals to Accelerate and Deploy Offshore Wind Energy and Jobs
Today, the White House convened leaders from across the Administration to announce a set of bold actions that will catalyze offshore wind energy, strengthen the domestic supply chain, and create good-paying, union jobs.
National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met today with state officials, industry executives, and labor leaders to announce new leasing, funding, and goals that employ President Biden’s whole-of-government approach, position America to lead a clean energy revolution, and create thousands of jobs across the country with the choice to join a union.
In his first week in office, President Biden issued an Executive Order that calls on our nation to build a new American infrastructure and clean energy economy that will create millions of new jobs. In particular, the President’s Order committed to expand opportunities for the offshore wind industry. The President recognizes that a thriving offshore wind industry will drive new jobs and economic opportunity up and down the Atlantic Coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in Pacific waters. The industry will also spawn new supply chains that stretch into America’s heartland, as illustrated by the 10,000 tons of domestic steel that workers in Alabama and West Virginia are supplying to a Texas shipyard where Dominion Energy is building the Nation’s first Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel.
Federal leadership, in close coordination with states and in partnership with the private sector, unions and other key stakeholders, is needed to catalyze the deployment of offshore wind at scale.
Today, the Administration is taking coordinated steps to support rapid offshore wind deployment and job creation:
- Advance ambitious wind energy projects to create good-paying, union jobs
- Investing in American infrastructure to strengthen the domestic supply chain and deploy offshore wind energy
- Supporting critical research and development and data-sharing.
Advance Ambitious Wind Energy Projects to Create Good-Paying, Union Jobs
- Announcing a New Wind Energy Area. The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is announcing a new priority Wind Energy Area in the New York Bight—an area of shallow waters between Long Island and the New Jersey coast—which a recent study from Wood Mackenzie shows can support up to 25,000 development and construction jobs from 2022 to 2030, as well as an additional 7,000 jobs in communities supported by this development. The study indicates the New York Bight lease area also has the potential to support up to 4,000 operations and maintenance jobs annually, and approximately 2,000 community jobs, in the years following. This new Wind Energy Area is adjacent to the greater metropolitan Tri-State area— the largest metropolitan population center in the United States that is home to more than 20 million people and their energy needs. The next step is for BOEM to publish a Proposed Sale Notice, followed by a formal public comment period and a lease sale in late 2021 or early 2022.
- Establishing a Target of Employing Tens of Thousands of Workers to Deploy 30 Gigawatts (30,000 megawatts) of Offshore Wind by 2030. The Departments of Interior (DOI), Energy (DOE), and Commerce (DOC) are announcing a shared goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in the United States by 2030, while protecting biodiversity and promoting ocean co-use. Meeting this target will trigger more than $12 billion per year in capital investment in projects on both U.S. coasts, create tens of thousands of good-paying, union jobs, with more than 44,000 workers employed in offshore wind by 2030 and nearly 33,000 additional jobs in communities supported by offshore wind activity. It will also generate enough power to meet the demand of more than 10 million American homes for a year, and avoid 78 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.
- DOI action to unlock deployment potential: To position the domestic offshore wind industry to meet the 2030 target, DOI’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) plans to advance new lease sales and complete review of at least 16 Construction and Operations Plans (COPs) by 2025, representing more than 19 GW of new clean energy for our nation.
- Massive supply chain benefits of deploying offshore wind energy at scale: Meeting the 2030 target will catalyze significant supply chain benefits, including new port upgrade investments totaling more than $500 million; one to two new U.S. factories for each major windfarm component including wind turbine nacelles, blades, towers, foundations, and subsea cables; additional cumulative demand of more than 7 million tons of steel—equivalent to 4 years of output for a typical U.S. steel mill; and the construction of 4 to 6 specialized turbine installation vessels in U.S. shipyards, each representing an investment between $250 and $500 million.
- 2050 implications of meeting the 2030 goal: Achieving this target also will unlock a pathway to 110 GW by 2050, generating 77,000 offshore wind jobs and more than 57,000 additional jobs in communities supported by offshore wind activity – all while creating further economic opportunity and ensuring future generations have access to clean air and abundant renewable power.
- Advancing critical permitting milestones for the Ocean Wind Offshore Wind Project. BOEM is announcing a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Ocean Wind, putting it in line to become America’s third commercial scale offshore wind project. Ocean Wind has proposed an offshore wind project with a total capacity of 1,100 megawatts (MW) — enough to power 500,000 homes across New Jersey. BOEM previously announced environmental reviews for Vineyard Wind (MA) and South Fork (RI), and anticipates initiating the environmental reviews for up to ten additional projects later this year.
Investing in American Infrastructure to Strengthen the Domestic Supply Chain and Deploy Offshore Wind Energy
- Investing in Port Infrastructure to Support Offshore Wind. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration today is announcing a Notice of Funding Opportunity for port authorities and other applicants to apply for $230 million for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. Port Infrastructure Development Grants support projects that strengthen and modernize port infrastructure, and can support shore-side wind energy projects, such as storage areas, laydown areas, and docking of wind energy vessels to load and move items to offshore wind farms. In addition to supporting our nation’s long-term economic vitality, DOT’s review process will consider how proposed projects can most effectively address climate change and environmental justice imperatives.
- Access to $3 billion in Debt Capital to Support Offshore Wind Industry through DOE Loan Programs Office. DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) released a fact sheet to facilitate access for the offshore wind industry for $3 billion in funding through LPO’s Title XVII Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program. The fact sheet signals that LPO is open for business and ready to partner with offshore wind and offshore transmission developers, suppliers, and other financing partners to scale the U.S. offshore industry and support well-paying jobs. To date, LPO has provided $1.6 billion in support of projects totaling about 1,000 MW of onshore wind.
Supporting Critical Research and Development and Data-Sharing
- Announcing offshore wind R&D funding through the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium. The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC), created by the DOE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is announcing the award of $8 million to 15 offshore wind research and development projects that were selected through a competitive process. The new projects will focus on offshore support structure innovation, supply chain development, electrical systems innovation, and mitigation of use conflicts that will help reduce barriers and costs for offshore wind deployment. The NOWRDC was established in 2018 with a $20.5 million DOE investment, matching funds from NYSERDA, and with follow-on contributions from state agencies in Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine—all resulting in a total investment of around $47 million.
- Partnering with Industry on Data-Sharing. The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is signing a Memorandum of Agreement with Ørsted, an offshore wind development company, to share physical and biological data in Ørsted-leased waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction. This agreement is the first of its kind between an offshore wind developer and NOAA, and paves the way for future data-sharing agreements that NOAA expects to enter into with other developers. NOAA anticipates that Ørsted’s and other companies’ data will fill gaps in ocean science areas—particularly in ocean mapping and observing—in service of NOAA’s mission to advance climate adaptation and mitigation, weather-readiness, healthy oceans, and resilient coastal communities and economies.
- Studying Offshore Wind Impacts. NOAA’s Northeast Sea Grant programs, in partnership with DOE, DOC, and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, is releasing a request for research proposals to support more than $1 million in grant funding to improve understanding of offshore renewable energy for the benefit of a diversity of stakeholders, including fishing and coastal communities. Grant funding will support objective community-based research in the Northeast to further understanding of the effects of offshore renewable energy on the ocean and local communities and economies as well as opportunities to optimize ocean co-use.
At today’s convening, leaders from across the Administration shared their commitment to work closely with one another and with key stakeholders to deliver the economic potential presented by offshore wind energy resources.
- National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy: “President Biden has declared very clearly that when he thinks of climate, he thinks of people and jobs—good-paying, union jobs. That’s because President Biden believes we have an enormous opportunity in front of us to not only address the threats of climate change, but use it as a chance to create millions of good-paying, union jobs that will fuel America’s economic recovery, rebuild the middle class, and make sure we bounce back from the crises we face. Nowhere is the scale of that opportunity clearer than for offshore wind. This commitment to a new, untapped industry will create pathways to the middle class for people from all backgrounds and communities.”
- Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland: “For generations, we’ve put off the transition to clean energy and now we’re facing a climate crisis. It’s a crisis that doesn’t discriminate – every community is facing more extreme weather and the costs associated with that. But not every community has the resources to rebuild, or even get up and relocate when a climate event happens in their backyards. The climate crisis disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income families. As our country faces the interlocking challenges of a global pandemic, economic downturn, racial injustice, and the climate crisis – we have to transition to a brighter future for everyone.”
- Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm: “This offshore wind goal is proof of our commitment to using American ingenuity and might to invest in our nation, advance our own energy security, and combat the climate crisis,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE is going to marshal every resource we have to get as many American companies, using as many sheets of American steel, employing as many American workers as possible in offshore wind energy—driving economic growth from coast to coast.”
- Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo: “The Commerce Department is committed to innovative partnerships that advance the best science and data to ensure the development of offshore wind is transparent and inclusive of all stakeholders,” said Secretary Raimondo. “We look forward to engaging the public and private sectors to invest in clean energy solutions, like offshore wind, that will contribute to our whole-of-government approach to combat the climate crisis and create high-paying, high-skilled American jobs.”
- Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg: “Tackling the climate crisis is vital to our nation’s future,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is taking actions that show how creating jobs and addressing climate change can and must go hand in hand. Today’s announcement makes a critical investment in our nation’s ports, which in turn builds up the resilience and sustainability of America’s economy.”
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— Posted by JVS on 4.18.21, backdated to 3.29.21
2.1.21 – “BP completes stake acquisition in offshore wind farms from Equinor”
As reported by PowerTechnology:
BP has completed a 50% stake acquisition in two offshore wind lease areas from Equinor for $1.1bn, as announced in September.
Under the partnership, the companies will develop up to 4.4GW through the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind projects, located off the US East Coast.
In 2016, Equinor acquired the Empire Wind lease area, which is 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island and covers a total area of 80,000 acres. Its two phases of development will generate 2GW of clean energy.
The Beacon Wind lease area is spread across 128,000 acres and is located nearly 20 miles south of Nantucket and 60 miles east of Montauk Point. The offshore wind farm will generate 2.4GW of renewable energy.
Additionally, BP and Equinor have agreed to pursue further growth in the US offshore wind market.
— Posted by JVS on 2.3.21, backdated to 2.1.21
1.24.21 – SBMT and Equinor stories – recent news coverage
As reported by the Brooklyn Paper on 1.13.21:
The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park will become an enormous new wind turbine assembly plant funded in part by New York State, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday morning.
“This is our path forward in stimulating the economy post-pandemic, and leading the way on protecting the environment,” the governor said during his annual State of the State address.
The Sunset Park port, located just west of Industry City, will be used to assemble wind turbines the height of the Chrysler Building using parts that are manufactured upstate, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The turbines will be shipped to three offshore wind farms off the coast of Long Island, where they will generate a total of 3.3 gigawatts of energy for the state — enough to power more than 1.8 million homes for a year.
The entire project will be operated by Norwegian energy company Equinor, in partnership with British Petroleum…
As part of the winning bid, the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is slated to receive $200 million in infrastructure upgrades from the state, according to the solicitation. The state’s funding will be matched by $200 million in private funds, totaling $400 million in renovations for the dilapidated space, which has sat empty for years.
At 73 acres, the assembly plant will be one of the largest in the country, Equinor said. The port, which is slated to be up and running by 2025, will create 1,200 local manufacturing jobs, according to Cuomo..
‘This is good news part for a community that has been dealing with a loss of income, that’s on the brink of despair,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, the executive director of the environmentalist group Uprose. “It’s really good news that there are going to be jobs. These victories are very important.”
As reported by Greenwire on 1.13.21:
The state of New York has awarded 2.5 gigawatts of offshore wind projects to developers Equinor and BP, the largest yet in the state’s massive offshore wind build-out and one of the single largest U.S. renewable energy contracts yet awarded.
Wednesday’s award, announced by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his 2021 State of the State address, hands the entirety of New York’s second large-scale solicitation to the two European oil majors that have joined forces in targeting the emerging Eastern U.S. offshore wind opportunity.
The projects, which add up to $8.9 billion in investment, include 1,230 MW from the Beacon Wind 1 project off the Massachusetts coast and 1,260 megawatts from the Empire Wind 2 project, an expansion of the 816 MW Empire Wind 1 project Equinor is already building off the Long Island coast under the state’s first solicitation, held in 2019.
The awards, which still must be finalized in a purchase and sale agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, bring Equinor’s total offshore wind plans for the state to 3.3 gigawatts. That’s more than one-third of the 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035 that New York is targeting, the highest yet announced in a region that’s seeing multiple states jostling for the leadership role.
The announcement also boosts New York’s race with several East Coast states to site offshore wind manufacturing and port facilities within their borders. As part of Wednesday’s award, Norway’s Equinor and U.K.-based BP will partner with New York state to convert the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and the Port of Albany into large-scale offshore wind manufacturing hubs.
Upgrades to another three ports are planned under Cuomo’s new energy initiative, including increasing the use of the Hudson River Port of Coeymans for turbine foundation manufacturing, as well as expanding operations and maintenance at Port Jefferson and Port of Montauk Harbor in Long Island.
The state has pledged to invest $200 million to a total projected investment of $664 million in these projects to capture the jobs and economic development to flow from what wind industry groups say could add up to $70 billion of investment in U.S. offshore wind projects by 2030.
As reported by Gothamist on 1.17.21:
Governor Andrew Cuomo plans to vastly expand offshore wind farms along Long Island, a move expected to create 2,600 jobs across the state. Along with the new turbines, the project will launch manufacturing and assembly hubs at ports in Albany and New York City’s Sunset Park, as part of a contract with Equinor, a Norwegian-based energy company that specializes in oil, gas, wind, and solar…
Equinor won a separate contract to build a wind farm off Long Island in 2019—called Empire 1—that is still in development. The company will now partner with BP, the British oil-and-gas giant, to add two additional sections called Empire 2 and Beacon 1. Equinor agreed in September that BP would be a 50% partner in the new projects, and the deal was expected to close early this year. Ninety turbines will be built 20 miles off Jones Beach and 60 miles off Montauk Point, which Cuomo claimed won’t be visible from shore.
As reported by The Real Deal on 1.21.21:
The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is set to be transformed into a hub for renewable energy.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority last week announced a partnership with Norwegian energy company Equinor to turn the site into a wind turbine manufacturing space, a project that will be completed in 2025, City & State reported.
— Posted by JVS on 1.24.21; updated on 2.13.21
12.28.20 – Schumer and Willaims support redevelopment of SBMT as “wind turbine assembly center”
The below press release was issued by Sen. Chuck Schumer on 12.28.20:
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12.28.20
SCHUMER, STANDING WITH PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS & ENVIRO JUSTICE ORGS, PUSHES MAJOR INVESTMENT IN WIND TURBINE ASSEMBLY CENTER AT SOUTH BROOKLYN MARINE TERMINAL; NEW HUB WOULD BE HUGE WIN FOR COMMUNITY, LOCAL JOBS, ENVIRONMENT & NYS MANUFACTURING
Schumer Says New York City Can Be Home To The Offshore Wind Supply Chain—BUT It Will Take Investment; Applauds NYS For Pushing Investment; NYC, Which Owns The Terminal, Already Has Indicated Desire to Invest Millions To Upgrade Site; Rep. Nydia Velázquez And Councilmember Menchaca Have Also Long Pushed For Community-Centered Development Of The Site; BK Site Is Competing For Up To $200M In NYS Support
Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Which Schumer Backed, Requires 70% of NY’s Electricity Come From Renewable Resources By 2030
Schumer: The Dawn Of Robust Renewable Energy Production In NYC Can Happen At Sunset Park Terminal In A Frontline Community
Saying the dawn of robust renewable energy production—and the jobs that come with it—can happen in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, standing with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and environmental justice leaders, pushed a multi-million dollar investment via NYSERDA’s program to upgrade port infrastructure to support offshore wind development.
The effort would establish a local wind turbine assembly center that would generate more than 1,500 megawatts of clean energy here in the city, positioning New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain, which could create thousands of jobs across the state. Schumer detailed the effort, made his case for investment and said it is high time for Brooklyn to be among the New York communities leading the way on environmentally-friendly industrial development and to ensure wind technologies are made in New York. Schumer says projects like this can create new jobs and opportunity across the state.
“We are here today because opportunity is knocking on Brooklyn’s door, and we want to answer it and help a new era of technology, jobs and clean energy come on through,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “With a little lift, Sunset Park Terminal can positon New York State to manufacture offshore wind technology while leading the way in clean energy. This site is primed to be up and running quickly with the right investment, providing New York a critical foothold in the offshore wind supply chain and its tremendous opportunities for new jobs. This also helps the state, too, because seventy-percent of New York’s electricity has to come from renewable resources by 2030 as part of the CLCPA I helped push.”
“This fall, the community prevailed, activism prevailed, and the Industry City rezoning was stopped. But if the city had listened to these activists earlier in the process, they would know that there are ways to revitalize this coastline that are both environmentally and economically beneficial. This project presents an unmatched opportunity for the revitalization of a New York City industrial waterfront that will create good jobs and clean energy at the same time – a just transition for New York City and State – so I thank Senator Schumer as well as the advocates and local elected officials who’ve joined us today in our calls to meet this urgent need,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.
“The SBMT is also located in an environmental justice community and selecting the Sunset Park terminal would offer significant opportunities for job creation, workforce development, and overall economic investment in the community—all good things for Brooklyn,” Schumer added.
The city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is one of 11 ports around the state to be pre-qualified to be considered for up to $200 million in loan and grant funds from NYSERDA. The funds would be matched by private firms looking to build and operate turbines across the metro area.
Schumer’s letter to NYSERDA, making the case for the project, appears below:
Ms. Doreen M. Harris
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
17 Columbia Circle
Albany, NY 12203-6399
Dear Ms. Harris:
I write to request your full consideration of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal as the prime site for investment through NYSERDA’s $200 million offshore wind port development program. I thank NYSERDA for its role in pursuing a clean energy future by investing in offshore wind, and this investment initiative to develop port infrastructure represents a key step to ensuring a robust buildout of offshore wind and the related supply chain in the New York Bight and beyond. As you know, New York must rapidly move to achieve the pollution reduction and clean energy goals established by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), of which I was a strong supporter, which requires that seventy percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2030 and that thirty-five percent of benefits go to frontline communities, like Sunset Park. Our state is paving the way for others to follow, and makes selecting the best bid for port infrastructure development of particular importance. With the selection of Equinor’s Wind Empire Port Infrastructure Improvement Plan, New York will be one step closer to ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable energy future can be supplied, staged, assembled, and deployed right here in New York, and create many jobs with fair wages and benefits as well as benefits for the nearby communities. This unique site can be outfitted to house a wind turbine assembly center that would create thousands of jobs and, according to the state, generate more than 1,500 megawatts of clean energy, which is enough to power half a million homes for 20 years.
The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) is located in the largest Industrial Business Zone in New York City, and the largest waterfront site, and is well-suited to accommodate the shipping, construction, and maintenance needs of offshore wind installments. Additionally the SBMT is located in an environmental justice community and selecting the Sunset Park terminal would offer significant opportunities for job creation, workforce development, and overall economic investment in the community. As such, the project has strong support from local and environmental justice groups. Finally, New York City, which owns the site, has also committed to a $57 million investment for key upgrades of SBMT—a testament to the level of support for the robust proposal that is before you.
As you are aware, there are multiple port locations bidding for this investment, and it would be of great value to invest in projects that have both short-term and long-term development potential. For example, the Arthur Kill Terminal (AKT) on Staten Island, another site that is under consideration for investment, has unique advantages with its location outside of any bridge spans, which presents a significant opportunity for positioning New York to be home to the offshore wind supply chain as technologies change in the industry. However, given the need to build out this infrastructure expeditiously both to transition to a clean energy future and so that as many New York workers as possible can benefit from jobs created by the offshore wind industry, the fact that SBMT can be up and running quickly underscores its decisive advantages for NYSERDA’s consideration of investment as New York looks to gain a foothold in the offshore wind supply chain. However, while time to full operation is paramount today, a long-term investment in Arthur Kill Terminal cannot be forgotten, as that site, combined with SBMT and other key ports both Upstate and Downstate, will solidify New York’s leadership in this industry and maximize the number of New Yorkers put to work in new green jobs. I offer my full commitment and assistance in fighting for further federal investment to prepare these and other key New York ports for use in the offshore wind industry.
I fully support investments in clean, renewable energy development and economic opportunities to grow jobs in a community-supported and just way and to invest in the finest workforce talent in Brooklyn, and across New York City and the state. The Wind Empire Port Infrastructure Improvement Plan will help meet those goals as quickly as possible and position New York as a leader in the off-shore wind manufacturing supply chain, with the South Brooklyn marine Terminal as the nexus of that effort. Again, I urge you to give this proposal your full consideration.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer
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— Posted by JVS on 12.29.20, backdated to 12.28.20
12.28.20 – “N.Y. should spend to make Brooklyn port a wind energy hub, say Schumer, Williams”
As reported by the New York Daily News:
The state should embrace the winds of change by boosting investment in clean energy in Brooklyn, say Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
They called on a state government entity to put millions of dollars into making the Sunset Park Terminal a wind energy hub…
“Opportunity is knocking on Brooklyn’s door, and we want to answer it and help a new era of technology, jobs and clean energy come on through,” the senator said in a statement. “With a little lift, Sunset Park Terminal can position New York State to manufacture offshore wind technology while leading the way in clean energy.”
Last year, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced it would invest $200 million in wind energy technology at ports. The idea is to turn the state into a wind energy hub for the region while helping meet Gov. Cuomo’s goal of getting 70% of the state’s power from renewable energy sources by 2030.
A wind turbine assembly center can be quickly established in Sunset Park, Schumer wrote NYSERDA’s acting CEO Doreen Harris, adding that other locations such as Arthur Kill Terminal on Staten Island should be targeted for long-term investment. Eleven ports around the state have applied for the cash…
“This fall, the community prevailed, activism prevailed and the Industry City rezoning was stopped,” Williams stated. “But if the city had listened to these activists earlier in the process, they would know that there are ways to revitalize this coastline that are both environmentally and economically beneficial.
— Posted by JVS on 12.29.20, backdated to 12.28.20
12.23.20 – Doc: Notes on agreement between EDC and Equinor re: South Brooklyn Marine Terminal
The below notes (available here for download) were shared with me by CB7. The notes are from a document that was distributed to members of the Sunset Park Task Force on 12.14.20.
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OSW Agreement Between the New York City Economic Development Corporation (“EDC”) and Equinor Wind US, LLC (“Equinor”)
Summary- Sunset Park Taskforce
Context
- EDC, along with SSBMT, are working to turn the city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) facility into an offshore wind (OSW) port and hub for the emerging OSW industry.
- Building on the Mayor’s earlier $57M commitment to reactivate SBMT, New York City is making strides to be a leader in public health and climate resiliency through clean energy investments in wind.
- OSW leader, Equinor, plans to use SBMT for wind turbine staging & installation, operations & maintenance, and a substation in conjunction with their Empire Wind project off the coast of LI.
- Equinor looks to establish a lasting presence supporting the Project at SBMT, it sees the local community as a critical, long term partner and plans to engage with the community’s members to earn trust and respect through Equinor’s actions and commitment to act in a sustainable, ethical, inclusive and socially responsible manner.
Equinor’s Commitment
- Equinor will establish a $5M fund to support: growing the talent pipeline in OSW related careers, growing the green energy innovation ecosystem in New York City by investing in programming that anchors key parts of the OSW supply chain to New York City leading to job creation within the 5 boroughs, and community initiatives that support low-income New Yorkers in the green energy transition.
- This fund will serve as a proactive vehicle for Equinor to make investments in workforce and ecosystem investments over time, to help New York City grow into a leading position in the global/regional/US wind landscape while also helping low-income populations equitably share in the benefits of the burgeoning industry.
- Additionally, EDC/the City has secured commitments from Equinor to: minimize on-site carbon emissions, reach an expanded target of MWBE contractors and support capacity building and technical assistance for local businesses, help train and connect a local pipeline of residents to access OSW jobs and establish and maintain an OSW community outreach center.
- Equinor will require all its O&M vessels that are able to, to use shore power when at SBMT. Equinor will also work with its selected wind turbine generator (WTG) installation contractor and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to explore opportunities for lowering emissions where possible.
- Equinor will target a 30% MWBE participation goal and provide $500,000 and information on procurement packages and timelines toward a program that will support M/WBEs based in and registered with New York City or New York State in pivoting to service the growing maritime and Offshore Wind industries.
- Equinor will work to inform and prepare New Yorkers, especially low-income and NYCHA residents, for OSW jobs. In partnership with EDC, Equinor will work to develop and implement career pathway strategies, including curriculum development, career fairs, candidate referrals, internships, mentoring & shadowing opportunities that engage EDC’s HireNYC program, Workforce 1 Centers, CUNY, SUNY, local community organizations, labor unions, the Department of Education and/or other relevant City Agencies.
- To help New Yorkers be prepared for and successful in jobs focused on operations and maintenance of their windfarms, Equinor will work with partners to provide education on the qualifications and requirements of such roles. Equinor will also offer world class training to employees hired as part of the SSBMT O&M activities.
- Equinor will also establish and maintain a public community outreach center that provides interactive and educational exhibits and programming on port activities at SBMT and offshore wind operations.
Sunset Park Task Force’s Role
- These commitments are a clear win for NYC, and especially Sunset Park. The fund includes a structure for local leadership/decision making alongside EDC and Equinor. The Sunset Park community will actively participate in developing a process to administer the $5 million in committed funds and make programmatic decisions going forward.
- Specifically, representatives from The Sunset Park Taskforce, who are selected by the Taskforce, will participate in two governance committees, a Strategy Development Committee and a Selection Committee either as voting members or advisory members depending on whether they are a business, non-profit or elected official. Both committees will make final recommendations through a majority vote of the voting members. All final recommendations will be subject to the approval of EDC and the President of Equinor Wind US or its designee.
- The strategy development committee will be responsible for developing investment strategies that most effectively achieve the Investment Objectives outlined in the Agreement between Equinor and NYCEDC and will develop a recommended Monitoring & Evaluation program to determine whether the strategy is meeting the objectives over the life of the Fund.
- The selection committee will develop competitive procedures for identifying suitable organizations or partners to execute on the Strategy Development Committee’s recommended Strategy and tracking the impact of investments in accordance with the Strategy Development Committee’s Monitoring and Evaluation program and evaluating potential organizations or partners within that framework.
- To avoid conflicts of interest no Task Force members who serve on the Strategy Development Committee, or who are potential beneficiaries of the Ecosystem Fund can participate in the selection committee in any manner.
Timeline
- The strategy committee will be formed within 6 months of execution of an agreement between NYSERDA and SSBMT for port upgrades and will have up to 9 months from its formation to produce a strategy and M&E plan.
- The selection committee will be formed within 90 days of the approval of the proposed strategy and will remain in existence until the $5M is spent down.
- The Funds will be deployed according to the below schedule:
- $2,000,000 by December 31, 2023
- An additional $2,000,000 by the earlier of Empire Wind’s Commercial Operation Date or December 31, 2026
- An additional $1,000,000 by the earlier of three years after Empire Wind’s Commercial Operation Date or December 31, 2029
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— Posted by JVS on 12.23.20
Sunset Park Reports 