Representatives Rice, Pascrell Applaud Offshore Wind Energy Area Announcement in the New York Bight

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Kathleen Rice (NY-04) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) applauded the Biden Administration's announcement today designating a new priority Wind Energy Area in the New York Bight to clear the way for offshore wind development off the coasts of New York and New Jersey. Today's announcement comes following a bipartisan letter that Rice, Pascrell and members of the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations sent to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on February 12, 2021 calling for this designation.

BOEM was originally scheduled to announce new Wind Energy Areas (WEA) in early 2019. After long delays, Rice led a New York delegation letter to BOEM calling for action in August 2020. However, BOEM did not issue any new WEAs during the previous administration. Today's announcement by the Biden Administration finally moves the process forward.

'I have long been pushing to get offshore wind development moving off the coast of Long Island,' said Rep. Kathleen Rice. 'After years of delays, I commend the Biden Administration for taking action right out of the gate to jumpstart offshore wind development and finally get this process moving again. The offshore wind industry will create thousands of good-paying jobs while helping us combat the climate crisis at the same time. Constructing new projects will directly benefit us today and help preserve our environment for generations to come. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to further advance this critical industry and ensure Long Island continues to play a leading role in America's clean energy future.'

'Today's announcement by the Biden administration signals a sea change in American energy policy and a new day in our collective fight against climate change,' said Rep. Bill Pascrell. 'Greater investment and innovation in offshore wind power is inherently forward-looking and perhaps the best avenue for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels while simultaneously modernizing US infrastructure for the next century. On top of that, expansion of American wind power ambitions promises a boon of reliable, union-friendly jobs along our shores. Offshore wind energy is a win today and a win for tomorrow. Few regions of our nation and the world face graver consequences from climate change than the Tri-State Area. This announcement by President Biden and his cabinet advancing projects off the New Jersey coast is a down-payment on our national future and the promise of a great future for our children and their children after them.'

The new priority Wind Energy Area announced today is located in the New York Bight-an area of shallow waters between the Long Island and New Jersey coasts. A recent study from Wood Mackenzie shows the New York Bight can support up to 25,000 development and construction jobs from 2022 to 2030, as well as an additional 7,000 jobs in communities supported by this development. The study indicates the New York Bight lease area also has the potential to support up to 4,000 operations and maintenance jobs annually, and approximately 2,000 community jobs, in the years following. This new Wind Energy Area is adjacent to the greater metropolitan Tri-State area- the largest metropolitan population center in the United States with a population greater than 20 million. The next step is for BOEM to publish a Proposed Sale Notice, followed by a formal public comment period and a lease sale in late 2021 or early 2022.

Today's announcement was met with praise from several local leaders and organizations, including New York Senator Todd Kaminsky, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), New York Offshore Wind Alliance, New York League of Conservation Voters, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Climate Jobs NY, and the American Clean Power Association.

'For NY to reach the ambitious wind energy goals outlined in the Climate and Leadership Community Protection Act, we need a federal partner who is equally committed to realizing our region's potential,' said New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky. 'This news is exciting and encouraging, and after four disappointing years of watching Washington dither in this respect, also refreshing. Our planet, our country, and our economy all require us to plan now for a green future, and the Biden administration has hit the ground running.'

'American offshore wind is a generational opportunity and today's news is a step towards realizing this important energy and economic boon,' National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito. 'More offshore wind opportunities means that infrastructure spending, energy security, and shovel-ready jobs with good wages can be unleashed. Importantly, the same shipbuilders, heavy lift vessel operators, steel fabricators and countless other companies who built the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas sector stand ready to lend their expertise to the American offshore wind industry. We thank Representative Rice and other Members of Congress for their continuous advocacy for offshore wind and the incredible benefits it will bring to communities across the country.'

'The Administration's wide-ranging announcements today regarding offshore wind development are staggering in their scope and magnitude and represent a true commitment to this new American clean energy industry,' said Joe Martens, Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance. 'Importantly, the Administration has hit the ground running with national offshore wind goals, a new wind energy area in the New York Bight, port and other infrastructure investments and commitments to labor. The New York Offshore Wind Alliance stands ready to work with the Administration to ensure that offshore wind is undertaken in a way that uses the best science, respects all ocean users and inhabitants and protects marine ecosystems.'

'With the new goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, creating 80,000 jobs, and a multi-agency program to support the timely, environmentally-sound development of this emerging industry, the Biden-Harris Administration is showing that combating climate change and creating jobs go hand-in-hand,' said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. 'Critical investments in port infrastructure and advancing new Wind Energy Areas in the NY Bight - a request New York's congressional delegation called for - will help New York meet its goal of attaining 9 gigawatts of power from offshore wind, make more space available for offshore wind, and cultivate the supply chain in the U.S. Wind energy can power millions of homes, contribute to our economic recovery, create green jobs, support our communities and slash pollution. We thank Congressmember Rice for her leadership in advancing the green energy revolution on New York's coast.'

'After years of delay at the federal level, it's a relief and a welcome change that the Biden Administration has prioritized saving the planet. The designation of offshore wind areas fills a critical need in the planning process to propel us forward in the fight against climate change. Action today, will save our environment for tomorrow. Kudos to Congresswoman Rice, who had championed the need for offshore wind,' said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

'As today's announcement shows, the Biden administration is acting with urgency to tackle the climate crisis and help kickstart a green economic recovery,' said Mariah Dignan, Long Island Organizer for Climate Jobs NY. 'This is a crucial step forward for New York. With these new wind energy areas off Long Island's coast, we are at the center of the emerging offshore wind industry. We must make sure these projects continue to move forward and ensure this once-in-a-generation opportunity creates family-sustaining, union jobs for New Yorkers.'

'The American Clean Power Association is elated that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has issued final priority Wind Energy Areas in the New York Bight and looks forward to BOEM holding a lease sale in 2021,' said Heather Zichal, American Clean Power Association CEO. 'New York's goal of bringing 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind online by 2035 is one of the strongest state targets in the country and finalizing WEAs including 800,000 acres suitable for multiple offshore wind projects in the NY Bight is a key step in realizing this ambitious target as well as the Biden-Harris Administration's climate goals. We commend the Administration for recognizing the important economic and environmental benefits offshore wind can bring to our nation.'

Additional information on today's announcement by the Biden Administration: FACT SHEET -Biden Administration Jumpstarts Offshore Wind Energy Projects to Create Jobs

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