New York Senator Charles Schumer (pictured) has called for major investment to transform South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into an wind turbine assembly centre.
The city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is one of 11 ports in the stat to be under consideration for up to $200m in loan and grant funds from the New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The funds would be matched by developers looking to build and operate turbines in the state.
Schumer, along with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and environmental justice leaders, is pushing for a multi-million dollar investment via NYSERDA’s programme to upgrade port infrastructure to support offshore wind development.
The effort would establish a local wind turbine assembly centre at the Sunset Park terminal that could generate more than 1500MW of clean energy in the city.
This would position New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain, which could create thousands of jobs across the state, Schumer said.
He added: “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.
“With a little lift, Sunset Park terminal can position 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 70% of New York’s electricity has to come from renewable resources by 2030 as part of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) I helped push.”
CLCPA requires 70% of New York’s electricity to come From renewable resources by 2030.