Barrett pushes to increase wind energy by 2035

Legislation aimed at increasing the target amount of electricity generated by New York's offshore wind development projects by 2035 has the support of Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-106, and assorted environmental groups.

Barrett held a press conference with state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, D-27, who is co-sponsoring the legislation. Supporters of the bill include the New York State League of Conservation Voters and the New York Offshore Wind Alliance.

The state has five active offshore wind projects and the largest offshore wind pipeline in the nation totaling more than 4,300 megawatts and representing nearly half of the capacity needed to meet New York's nation-leading offshore wind goal of 9,000 megawatts by 2035.

Offshore wind power is the generation of electricity through wind farms in bodies of water. The bill would increase New York's offshore wind electricity generation targets to 9,900 megawatts by 2035, 15,800 megawatts by 2040, 18,000 megawatts by 2045 and 20,000 megawatts by 2050.

"New York state continues to make significant progress towards reaching the renewable energy production goals set forth in our Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and we must remain flexible to adapt to new developments in the ever-evolving energy landscape," Barrett said. "This legislation, which I am pleased to carry with Sen. Brian Kavanagh, will build upon New York's successes by increasing the current New York State offshore wind production target and establishing new additional targets for 2040, 2045 and 2050. This will better distribute the siting of renewable energy generation throughout the state to include the regions with the highest energy demands while at the same time creating new green union jobs."

Kavanagh said the proposed bill will have a major impact on the distribution of renewable energy in the state.

"This will better distribute the siting of renewable energy generation throughout the state to include the regions with the highest energy demands while at the same time creating new green union jobs," Kavanagh said in a statement. "Increasing our offshore wind generation targets is one of the most significant steps New York state can take to ensure that we stay on track to meet the challenges posed by climate change and make New York a national model for renewable energy generation while ushering in a far more environmentally sustainable, healthy, affordable and economically secure future for all New Yorkers. It's essential that we pass this bill before we adjourn the legislative session."

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said the bill would make the state a trailblazer in green energy.

"This bill would position New York as the leader in offshore wind development, an exciting new industry that will be pivotal to transitioning to clean energy and meeting our ambitious climate goals," Tighe said. "We must plan today to make New York State the offshore wind leader I know we can be in the years to come.