Offshore Wind Power
Overview and Facts

Public Health

Long Term Tax Payer Savings

New York is on the front lines of climate change. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ocean acidification, and the loss of fisheries poses a real and immediate threat to our environment, coastal communities, local economy, and quality of life.  The good news is that increased renewable energy production, along with efficiency measures, have successfully curbed energy demand on Long Island. As our island transitions away from fossil fuels, offshore wind will play an integral role in meeting the state’s goals of 70% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% carbon-free electrical generation by 2040. We cannot achieve our renewable energy goals without offshore wind, which is why the state has mandated 9,000 MW (megawatts) of offshore wind by 2035. 

To learn more about fighting climate change with offshore wind, click here.

There are currently five offshore wind farms slated to be developed off the coast of Long Island; the South Fork Wind Farm and Sunrise Wind off of Montauk and Empire Wind off the Rockaways. These projects will generate over 1,800 mw of clean, renewable energy and power more than 1 million homes. In 2020, Governor Cuomo announced another solicitation for at least 1,000 MW of offshore wind renewable energy. For each wind farm that will be developed off of New York,  they must win a bid from NYS  and conduct rigorous environmental review, including multiple opportunities for public comment, before a project begins construction.

Community Benefits of Offshore Wind Power

There are many community benefits associated with offshore wind power.  Harnessing our offshore wind potential can improve the health of New York communities, stabilize our energy grid, and in many cases, provide less expensive energy than fossil fuels. Offshore winds along the east coast of the US are most powerful in the afternoon and evening when electricity demand is often highest, so offshore wind farms produce the most output during the hours Long Island uses the most energy. Many offshore wind projects also use battery storage to compliment the wind farm and ensure a clean, reliable energy source, even when the wind isn’t blowing. 

More good news about wind includes that as the technology improves, offshore wind power has become less expensive than coal and is now cost competitive with other fossil fuels. In 2015, when increasing energy demand in the south fork necessitated either an offshore wind farm or new fossil fuel development, LIPA found that the South Fork wind farm would be more cost effective for ratepayers than new fossil fuels. Offshore wind will not only allow us to phase out dirty fossil fuel plants and do our part to fight climate change, they will also provide reliable, affordable, abundant energy when we need it most.

To learn more about wind energy, click here.

Offshore Wind Helps Our Environment

Offshore wind helps us fight climate change and reduces our reliance on coal, oil, and natural gas. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy will reduce greenhouse gases and other harmful air emissions, including mercury pollution, acid rain, ozone pollution and particulate matter. In New York, acid rain has been linked to significant adverse impacts on fish and wildlife, as well as songbird declines. We have also seen mercury contamination in fish, making them unsafe to eat. 

Relying on polluting fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, contributes to ocean acidification. Ocean acidification impacts the ability of shellfish to form their outer shells, thereby reducing survival. Climate change also contributes to increasing temperatures in our waters and sea level rise. Ocean warming in the northeastern U.S. is occurring three times faster than the global average.

Click here to learn more on how Offshore Wind Protects Wildlife.

Click here to view our webinar “Whale Tales and Whale Facts” featuring Citizens Campaign for the Environment, NY League of Conservation Voters, NY Offshore Wind Alliance, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.

Offshore Wind Creates Green Jobs

The wind industry is among the fastest growing employers in our country. New York State offshore wind projects have the potential for significant economic development while creating a skilled green-economy workforce.  New Yorkers can realize as many as 10,000 jobs in construction, manufacturing, operations and maintenance, and on-shore rebuilding of the electrical grid.  The first wind farm projects – the South Fork Wind Farm, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind – will eventually power over one million homes, create more than 1,600 new long-term careers at family-sustaining wages, and pump $3.2 billion in private investment into the emerging green economy.  And that’s just the beginning. Labor agreements with offshore wind developers will create a well-trained workforce and bring investment dollars back to our local communities. The economy of the future is the green economy, and New York is poised to be a central force in the development of offshore wind in New York State.

The Process of Offshore Wind Development

Each individual wind project will undergo a rigorous environmental review process, with multiple chances for members of the public to provide valuable public comment on the specific projects.  There will be federal, state, and local agencies involved in reviewing the projects. Public support for offshore wind is critical to the state’s success in meeting climate goals and to Long Island’s renewable energy future. 

If you would like to stay informed about these offshore wind farms and upcoming opportunities for public input, sign up to receive our wind action alerts and check back on our calendar for public educational forums and hearings that are great opportunists to learn more, ask questions and provide public comment.