In a story from two days ago that pretty much escaped notice, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced that contracts have been signed for two large offshore wind energy projects, projects that would provide capacity for 1.7 GW of generating capacity.
Empire Wind, will be located in a 323 sq km (80,000 acre) zone about 22-56km (14-35 miles) south of Long Island where Equinor won commercial development rights two years ago, while the Sunrise Wind project site is off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, about 77km from Montauk Point on Long Island, New York.
www.rechargenews.com/…
To give an idea of the magnitude of the projects — and the magnitude of the task of phasing down fossil fuel use to replace with green power, the Ravenswood Generating Station in Queens, mostly running on natural gas, can generate 2.48 GW. (The transition of Ravenswood from coal to fracked gas has helped to dramatically improve air quality in New York City.) The Indian Point Energy Center in Westchester County has three nuclear plants that together can generate 2 GW, and it is scheduled to close in 2021.
Gov. Cuomo deserves kudos for taking on renewable energy and making it happen.
“New Yorkers know all too well the devastating impacts of climate change and the catastrophic consequences if we do not act urgently,” said state governor Andrew Cuomo. “By finalising the contract awards for the nation's largest offshore wind procurement, we are realising the positive impacts these projects will have on the environment, while diversifying our economy and bringing significant economic benefits to the Empire State.”
The NIMBYs are all over social media in opposition but it looks like Cuomo is able to ignore them here. Offshore wind should have the advantage of much more reliable winds, particularly for the two locations chosen for this project. New York has a goal of 9 GW of offshore wind capacity, which will be a challenge to achieve, but this is a first step.
This is a much bigger deal than all the posturing over climate change plans such as the Green New Deal. It is action, It is action of the type that must be taken all over the US. It is great to live in a state that is a leader in this.