A coalition of organizations has set up the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA) to secure commitment to 5GW of offshore wind off the coast of the US state.
The organisation, which is a project of the non-profit Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), will undertake both public education and advocacy to build support for achieving this goal in New York, it said.
NYOWA members include environmental groups, offshore wind power developers, environmental justice and community advocates, academics and consultants.
The group’s work is guided by a steering committee that includes representatives from the ACE NY, Deepwater Wind, Dong Energy, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and the University of Delaware’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind.
Other NYOWA partners include: AWS Truepower, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Ecology & Environment, Environmental Advocates of NY, Renewable Energy Long Island, The Nature Conservancy – New York and UPROSE.
NYOWA director Liz Gordon said: “The waters off of New York City and Long Island feature exceptionally strong and consistent wind resources that can be harnessed to satisfy the immense demand for clean, reliable and cost-effective power.
“Now is the time for the Empire State’s leaders to make a long-term, large-scale commitment to offshore wind power, which is essential to achieving Governor Cuomo’s goal of 50% renewable energy for New York by 2030.”
ACE NY executive director Anne Reynolds said: “Together, we will make the case for offshore wind power and the economic and environmental benefits it will bring to New York and the nation.”
Image: Block Island wind farm (Deepwater Wind)
