New York Mayor unveils offshore wind plans
By:
Tom Russell
27/09/2021
NYCEDC
New York Mayor, Bill de
Blasio, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) have
announced a 15-year, $191 million Offshore Wind Vision (OSW) plan.
The plan aims to put New York City on a path to create over 13,000 jobs
and generate $1.3 billion in average annual investment. It is also expected
to ensure 40% of job and investment benefits are directed toward women,
minorities, and environmental justice communities as well as reduce 34.5
million tons of CO2 – the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from
roadways for 15 years.
“The Climate Crisis is real. New York City will serve as the model for
taking climate action and growing the Offshore Wind Industry with a real
long-term vision plan focused on equity,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“We have the opportunity now to deliver on promises and set the City on
a path towards a sustainable future.”
“When we talk about a green economy we are really talking about reliance
on renewable energy and the jobs of the future coming together. We are
proud to bring this vision to New York – to help meet our long-term sustainability
goals and grow a new industry, centering equity as no other global destination
has done before,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation
President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “We thank the Mayor and all of our partners
for joining us in this bold vision for a green future.”
New York City will make commitments focused on three core areas: sites
and infrastructure, business and workforce, and research and innovation.
The city will work to develop infrastructure that will support the construction
and operation of offshore wind farms. The plan outlines how the city will
expand its manufacturing sector to build, stage, and install wind turbines,
and ensure they can be serviced and powered locally.
The plan also commits the city to developing public-private partnerships
with communities to create jobs in disadvantaged neighborhoods historically
impacted by climate injustice. The city will focus on targeted investments
to develop workforce training and support businesses that seek to create
a diverse talent pool in offshore wind. The plan further aims to support
Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and other local companies
in accessing over $70 billion expected to be created by the offshore wind
industry.
Lastly, the city will work to promote research and innovation in offshore
wind so new technologies and approaches are created in New York City. NYCEDC
will work with the offshore wind industry and partners to launch an accelerator
that will allow New York-based startups to build out the next generation
of offshore wind technologies to support worldwide growth and advancement
in the field.
The OSW Vision Plan looks ahead to attract additional federal, state, and
private investments to drive industry growth to make the long-term vision
a reality. To help ensure progress is made, NYCEDC will establish an Offshore
Wind Industry Advisory Council led by co-chairs Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive
Director of UPROSE, and KC Sahl, Northeast Energy Market Leader at VHB,
a civil engineering firm active in the offshore wind industry. The council
will be made up of additional community, business and nonprofit leaders
with relevant expertise and experience.
