New York, NY - June 2, 2016 - The U. S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced a proposed lease sale for commercial offshore wind energy off the coast of Long Island by the end of 2016 and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) quickly declared its intent to bid on the 81,000-acre lease area south of Long Island in order to lead its development and progress.
Kit Kennedy, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Energy and Transportation Program, issued the following statement:
“Today’s federal and state offshore wind announcements set the stage for unleashing more clean, renewable energy to help keep the lights on in New York State while cutting carbon pollution, lowering energy prices, and generating new jobs.
“The vision of a cleaner, renewable energy future for New York is another step closer to reality with word that there will be a federal lease auction for the New York Wind Energy Area and that the State of New York intends to be one of the bidders in order to expedite the process of opening the state’s vast offshore wind market. New York’s commitment to developing responsibly sited offshore wind is yet another commitment to the state’s climate and clean energy leadership.
“Governor Cuomo’s bold leadership is a vital step in helping the state meet its 50 by ’30 clean energy goals, ensuring cleaner air and lower electricity systems costs for all New Yorkers. New York State can now provide an important model to other states on how to support offshore wind development in a thoughtful and comprehensive way.”
Kennedy will post a blog elaborating on the announcements here