Climate Jobs NY | Long Island Report, May 2021
Biden Administration Approves First U.S. Large-Scale Offshore Wind Project
The Department of Interior’s approval of the Vineyard Wind Project, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., puts into action the Administration’s promise to build a green new economy with good family-sustaining union jobs. This is an important step forward for offshore wind in the region and as Climate Jobs NY continues to push major wind projects forward in New York, this is an important momentum driver.

“Today is one of many actions we are determined to take to open the doors of economic opportunity to more Americans.” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said. “A clean energy future is within our grasp in the United States.”

The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind energy project will be located off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. According to NPR News, the project is expected to produce enough renewable electricity to power 400,000 Massachusetts homes every year while also saving ratepayers billions of dollars and reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions in the state by about 1.68 million metric tons.

President Biden has set a goal of launching 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

“This project represents the power of a government-wide approach to offshore wind permitting, taking stakeholder ideas and concerns into consideration every step of the way,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director (BOEM) Amanda Lefton.
Transmission, Transmission, Transmission!
As we continue to garner support for offshore wind projects and the creation of thousands of good union jobs for New Yorkers, Climate Jobs NY and the LI Federation of Labor, have been sounding the alarm on protecting Long Island ratepayers as we analyze the necessary transmission and distribution upgrades to our grid for offshore wind interconnections. 

President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, John Durso, wrote an excellent opinion piece in the Long Island Business News about the necessity of forward-thinking transmission investments to successfully bring offshore wind projects onto the grid. Click here for the op-ed.

Under consideration by the State Public Service Commission (PSC) is who is responsible for paying for these transmission upgrades. Initially, the PSC claimed 75% of the costs should be fronted by those who they claim will benefit the most. They’re suggesting LIPA, Con-Edison and their ratepayers are among the beneficiaries who should foot the bill.

Pat Guidice, IBEW Local 1049’s Business Manager, succinctly points out in a letter to the editor featured in Newsday (https://www.newsday.com/opinion/letters/newsday-opinion-reader-letters-1.50240154) that Long Islanders must not bear the undue burden for upgrades that stand to benefit all of New York, and all of which are necessary to facilitate statewide offshore wind and carbon reduction goals. 

Thanks to Labor, LIPA and Con Edison, and State Senator Todd Kaminsky's advocacy, the PSC has delayed the decision for now. We will continue to call attention to the fact that Long Islanders cannot be unduly burdened for necessary upgrades that will benefit all New Yorkers and help reach our nation-leading climate goals. We will continue to call attention to this important decision-making process and fight for an equitable outcome for all New Yorkers.

Please read more on the PSC's decision here:
The 2021 Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit will bring together newly established state Climate Jobs coalitions, labor leaders, union climate activists, environmental and environmental justice advocates, clean-energy developers, policymakers, scientists, and all who want to build the clean-energy economy of tomorrow with good union jobs. The Summit will feature speakers and panelists from around the country and around the world.


We will talk about the ways that climate change and inequality are inextricably linked, dig into the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create good family-sustaining jobs by developing the renewable energy sector, and engage in a holistic discussion about just transition for workers in fossil fuel industries and their communities.
 
At a time that calls for public investment on a scale not seen since the Great Depression, let’s invest in the clean energy economy of the future, assure that the new clean energy jobs hire union workers, take climate action at a scale science demands and address the crisis of extreme inequality.
Until next time!

In solidarity,
Mariah Dignan
Long Island Organizer
Climate Jobs NY
646-708-5474