NYOWA Blog
Op-Ed from Director Fred Zalcman from Empire Report
When one thinks of places that have changed the course of industry, Wellsville New York is not generally cited as among them. However, it is precisely in this hamlet of 4,600 people, situated 85 miles from Buffalo, that one of the greatest revolutions in energy development and commerce is occurring.
By Joe Martens
A new study released on August 4th by international energy consultants Wood Mackenzie took a look at the economic benefits, including job-creation, of offshore wind development in the United States. The study was commissioned by the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA), American Wind Energy Association, the National Ocean Industry Association and the University of Delaware, Special Initiative on Offshore Wind. The study looks at what could be if the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM) moves ahead with the designation of wind energy areas (WEAs) and leasing in the New York Bight, off the Carolina coast, in the Gulf of Maine and in the Pacific off the coast of California. The results are eye popping, especially in states that have aggressive renewable standards, like New York.
Recent events have left our nation reeling. On top of a pandemic that has taken more than 100,000 lives and left millions jobless, the senseless killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and demonstrations have left us all searching for answers. Both tragedies have disproportionately impacted people of color and have put a spotlight on our country’s racism. We believe Black Lives Matter and policing and a host of other institutions in America need fundamental reforms. No matter where we live or work, we should all be asking ourselves what we are doing, as individuals, as communities, as businesses, and as organizations to address longstanding social and racial injustices.
By Anne Reynolds
This Opinion piece first ran in City Limits, March 20, 2020
ACE NY Director Anne Reynolds has written an important blog making the connection between the current COVID-19 pandemic and the need to reform the siting and permitting of renewable energy projects. It’s important for the NY Legislature and the Governor to reach agreement on these reforms now, in the state budget, for a number of reasons. First, renewable energy projects will provide a badly needed economic boost to New York’s economy once the pandemic has passed and second, renewable energy will help reduce air pollution that adversely impacts vulnerable populations who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Finally, the development of renewable energy will help fight climate change, the ultimate threat to the planet.
Half of the ACE NY and NYOWA staff spent the past week in Houston, Texas, at the annual AWEA WINDPOWER2019 conference, which had a theme of Wind +. Between tacos and baseball games, we did find the time to listen, learn, and talk about all of the exciting trends in wind power across the United States. There were many moments of inspiration and some great advice about how to better do our work in New York. This year’s buzzword: hybrid. Another change: offshore wind is definitely and fully in the mainstream, no longer a side conversation at WINDPOWER.
