NEWS
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The Long Island - New York City
Offshore Wind Collaborative Releases Request for Information Contacts:
July 1, 2009 New York, NY— A newly formed collaborative between the private sector and a host of New York State and New York City agencies issued Tuesday a Request for Information (RFI) marking the next step in the development of what could be the largest offshore wind farm proposal in the country. In addition to the RFI, the Long Island–New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative also unveiled a new Web site designed to keep the wind industry, communities and stakeholders informed of the project’s progress. The RFI may be viewed or downloaded from the new Web site by visiting www.linycoffshorewind.com. The Web site also features news about the project including a transmission interconnection study issued by LIPA and Con Edison in March. The Long Island–New York City Offshore Wind Project is sponsored by a collaborative consisting of: • Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) • Con Edison • New York Power Authority (NYPA) • The City of New York • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) • The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey • Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) The group is exploring the possibility of creating an offshore wind project that would be situated approximately 13 miles off the south shore of the Rockaway Penninsula in the Atlantic Ocean. The wind project would likely be designed for 350 megawatts (MW) of generation, with the ability to expand it to 700 MW, giving it the potential to be the largest offshore wind project in the country. The intent of the RFI is to gauge the level of interest on the part of the wind power industry and other interested parties in developing the project and to garner insight and creativity as to how the project as envisioned can be enhanced. Issuance of the RFI is expected to be a precursor to a Request for Proposals (RFP) anticipated for release by the end of 2009. The Collaborative would use the RFP to seek proposals from private development firms and/or members of the collaborative to build the project and enter into agreements to sell the clean energy it produces. The concept for the offshore wind project emanated from Governor David A. Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force and is consistent with the Governor’s “45 by 15” program, which establishes the goal for New York State to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable sources by the year 2015. The transmission interconnection study concluded that an interconnection for up to 700 MW of wind power, located at a proposed location in the Atlantic Ocean would be feasible with upgrades to the current transmission systems. An application to interconnect the offshore wind project has been filed with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) for up to 700 MW by 2015. Members of the Collaborative reiterated a strong desire to help implement the project and some expressed an interest to purchase clean renewable energy from the project. NYPA and NYSERDA indicated they would be able to lend technical support by way of consultants working with each agency on wind power projects. NYSERDA also indicated the possibility of funding being made available from moneys through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative aimed at advancing clean, renewable energy projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The New York State Department of State and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will offer general information on the planning and regulatory aspects of the project. “New York City needs renewable energy sources – such as offshore wind – to meet the ambitious greenhouse gas reductions in PlaNYC, our long term vision for a greener, greater New York,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Last August, the City began to explore the full potential of renewable energy, and offshore wind quickly emerged as one of the biggest opportunities we have. We hope that working with the Collaborative will be the best way to implement large-scale, offshore wind, and I look forward to working with ConEd, LIPA, NYPA and the other partners to make this project a reality.” “I am strongly encouraged by the Collaborative’s progress and I look forward to working with Con Edison, NYPA, New York City and other state and federal agencies that are interested in partnering on this offshore wind project,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “This RFI represents the next step in positioning ourselves as national leaders in clean renewable energy, the creation of clean energy jobs and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.” "There clearly is growing interest in this proposal by many parties. We will continue to explore the feasibility of an offshore wind project," said Kevin Burke, chairman and CEO of Con Edison. "If the technical, environmental, economic and social challenges can be met, and we have the support of government, energy and environmental leaders, I am confident this project will be built and produce enormous benefits for our region." “We’re pleased to join with LIPA and ConEdison to bring NYPA’s expertise and resources to the table for this ambitious offshore wind project,” said New York Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel. “The project will help meet Governor Paterson’s ‘45 by 15’ goal for the use of renewable energy resources to help reduce our national dependence on foreign oil and produce clean electricity with the winds right off our own shores.” “As a major catalyst of sustainability in the New York region, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority looks forward to exploring this opportunity to green the source of power for our operations in the MTA’s 5,000-square-mile territory,” said Interim MTA CEO and Executive Director Helena Williams. “Now is the time to maximize sources of renewable energy available to the city and the region. Capitalizing on this opportunity is one of our best options for reducing our dependence on foreign oil and taking on the challenges posed by climate change.” “As we work to expand the use of clean renewable energy sources, it is important to develop a project that has the full interest and support from the public, industry, and other stakeholders,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “This RFI is a necessary first step at doing just that. The offshore wind collaborative initiative complements Governor Paterson’s comprehensive energy agenda, which will make New York the most energy efficient state in the nation, expand the use of renewable energy technologies, and tackle the crisis of climate change. NYSERDA is excited to be part of this collaborative and we look forward to working with our partners to quantify the energy and environmental benefits of offshore wind development.” About NYPA: ■ The New York Power Authority uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation's largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of New York State and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. ■ About 75 percent of the electricity it produces is clean renewable hydropower. Its lower-cost power production and electricity purchases support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state. ■ For more information, www.nypa.gov. |
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