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This story was originally published by Inside Climate News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
The expansion of renewable energy initiatives in downstate New York, which includes the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas, often encounters significant hurdles. The region faces limited space for new projects, especially within New York City, leading to higher costs and logistical complications.
While smaller-scale solar and battery storage solutions may help advance the state’s ambitious renewable energy objectives, these efforts must be supported by larger-scale renewable energy initiatives.
The Empire Wind 1 project, a key component of the extensive offshore wind development off Long Island’s coast, was set to play a significant role in this initiative. Approved by the federal government in 2017, the project aimed to generate over 1,500 jobs and provide power for approximately 500,000 homes through the installation of 54 wind turbines.
Recently, however, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to suspend all work on the project “pending further review of information indicating that the Biden administration may have hastily approved it without adequate analysis.”
Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has been vocally critical of offshore wind projects, expressing his disapproval of“What he termed “big, ugly windmills” that endanger wildlife. Earlier this year, his administration dismissed NOAA employees involved in assessing the environmental impacts of these projects.
On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order that halted any new leasing for offshore wind projects and froze approvals for any new wind initiatives, both onshore and offshore. This order also mandated a review of existing offshore leases, with the possibility of termination.
Representatives from Equinor, the Norwegian company leading the Empire Wind 1 project, confirmed that construction would be paused. Empire Offshore Wind LLC, managing the initiative, stated it is “engaging with relevant authorities to clarify this situation and is exploring legal options, including an appeal” regarding the order.
The halting of the Empire Wind 1 project is likely to have substantial consequences for New York’s climate objectives and the potential for green employment opportunities in the downstate region. Nearly 44% of New York City’s census tracts contain low-income neighborhoods that have disproportionately suffered from pollution’s adverse effects.
As delays in climate initiatives and the lack of entry-level job opportunities arise, these communities bear the brunt of the consequences.
The Empire Wind 1 project was expected to create green union jobs in the downstate area. Equinor is also collaborating with the New York City Economic Development Corporation to redevelop a marine terminal that will serve as the long-term operational hub for the project in South Brooklyn. This redevelopment is particularly advantageous for the Sunset Park neighborhood, which faces significant environmental challenges and actively advocated for inclusion in the project plans.
“Our community has fought for years to ensure that Sunset Park would be part of solutions to reduce carbon emissions, establish healthier energy alternatives, and provide new local union jobs,” stated council member Alexa Avilés, who represents the area.
The projects associated with Empire Wind 1 are anticipated to generate at least 1,000 construction jobs, 130 apprentice positions, 200 jobs related to terminal assembly, and 50 permanent roles for the project’s ongoing maintenance, as outlined by the mayor’s office.
City officials view green employment as a vital avenue for low-income individuals, and those without higher education, to enhance their earning potential. However, as the pace of green job creation slows down, major projects like Empire Wind 1 become increasingly essential.
“The reckless and overreaching move to halt construction that is already ongoing on Empire Wind threatens thousands of quality union jobs and undermines the progress New York has achieved in transitioning to cleaner, more affordable energy,” remarked Vincent Alvarez, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, in a statement.
Esther Rosario, executive director of the labor consortium Climate Jobs NY, noted that union workers were prepared to begin monopile installation—essential for laying the foundations of the wind turbines—within the next two weeks.
“In two weeks, those workers may find themselves without a paycheck,” pointed out Rosario.
New York’s Climate Act set an ambitious goal of achieving a grid powered by 70% renewable sources by 2030.
Earlier this year, Inside Climate News reported that meeting this deadline is increasingly difficult, with the number of planned renewable projects in downstate New York remaining very limited.
“We need to ramp up our efforts at the state level, especially in downstate areas, to get new generation projects underway,” stressed Alexander Patterson, campaign coordinator for Public Power NY, which advocates for a broader expansion of renewable energy. “This suspension is just another instance in a troubling trend of canceled projects, whether due to financial challenges or political opposition.”
The decision to halt construction on Empire Wind 1 could lead to further setbacks in New York state’s transition to renewable energy. The Trump administration’s order may instigate uncertainty that extends beyond the immediate downstate regions of New York.
“If a change in administration could lead to the revocation of permits and stop-work orders, it disrupts the certainty required for progress,” warned Rob Freudenberg, vice president of energy and environment programs at the Regional Plan Association, a civic group focused on enhancing the quality of life in the tristate area. “The implications of this could affect not just the offshore wind sector, but potentially other industries as well.”
Source
www.theguardian.com