New offshore wind development will make southern Brooklyn greener and cleaner and bring new jobs and benefits to our communities

March 4, 2024 Special from the office of NY State Senator Andrew Gounardes

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes speaking on a camera bill.Photo: Steve Solomonson/Brooklyn Eagle

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes.
Photo: Steve Solomonson/Brooklyn Eagle

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SUNSET PARK — New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-26) issued the following statement today in response to the Governor’s announcement that the State has selected two offshore wind projects for contract negotiation, including the Empire Wind 1 project connected to the Gowanus Substation in Southern Brooklyn:

“As a State Senator representing communities and businesses along the Brooklyn waterfront, I know how critical it is to build a sustainable future that not only protects our communities from harm but gives them opportunities to thrive in a green future. From Hurricane Sandy to last year’s flooding, Southern Brooklyn has seen the dangers of extreme weather events firsthand, and we can’t afford to be complacent. That’s why I voted for groundbreaking climate legislation my first year in office and why I’m deeply committed to ensuring New York meets its climate and equity goals.

“The Empire Wind 1 project — which connects directly to the Gowanus Substation in my district — along with the Sunrise Wind project, will generate enough clean energy to power more than one million homes. Just as importantly, this work will support nearly 1,000 jobs for New Yorkers, including right here at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and commit millions in new investments in waterfront communities in Red Hook and Sunset Park to ensure they benefit from jobs, training and education in the new green economy.

“This is a critical moment for communities in Southern Brooklyn and for all New Yorkers. The time to build the energy system of the future is today. As the State Senator representing the area with one of New York’s largest offshore wind projects, I’m looking forward to working with Governor Hochul, Equinor, Ørsted and Eversource, and Southern Brooklyn community organizations to create a clean energy future that benefits all of us.”

Background:

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has competitively selected two previously awarded offshore wind projects and will now negotiate new contracts to continue progress in advancing the State’s clean energy transition. The awarded projects — Empire Wind 1 (developed by Equinor) and Sunrise Wind (developed by Ørsted and Eversource) — will generate over 1,700 megawatts of clean, locally produced energy, enough to power over one million homes and deliver approximately 10% of New York City and Long Island’s electricity needs.

The new proposals from Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind estimate over $6 billion of in-state spending and will support nearly 1,000 jobs over the lives of the projects. The projects will be held to new contract provisions that bring additional benefits, including:

New economic benefit commitments above what was originally contracted, such as $32 million for community-focused investments in New York’s disadvantaged communities and $16.5 million toward wildlife and fisheries monitoring.
Commitments to purchasing a minimum of $188 million of U.S. iron and steel, supporting investments in U.S. manufacturing aligned with the New York Buy American Act.
Requirements for Labor Peace Agreements for operations and maintenance services.

Since his election to the State Senate, Senator Gounardes has been a leader in climate resiliency efforts, most recently pushing for legislation that would create a cleaner transportation system, institute climate education at all New York schools, and reform the last-mile trucking industry currently creating pollution and unsafe streets in Southern Brooklyn neighborhoods like Red Hook and Sunset Park.