Paterson Announces Partnership To Explore N.Y. Offshore Wind Farm

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Gov. David A. Paterson, D-N.Y., has announced the formation of an interdisciplinary working group between the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and Consolidated Edison Inc. (ConEd) to study the potential for an offshore wind project that would be situated at least 10 miles off the Rockaway Peninsula.

This project, which originated from Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force, could provide significant market development benefits to the wind industry, create clean-tech jobs and help diversify the state's electricity system. In addition, any project resulting from this work could demonstrate that we can meet the state's energy supply needs in an environmentally sound manner while benefiting New York's economy by reducing dependence on imported energy.

‘Given the world's limited fossil energy resources and as we strive to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy, we must look for ways to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and grasp every opportunity to study the use of clean and renewable forms of energy,’ says Paterson. ‘Our state and country are facing massive budget shortfalls, Wall Street is suffering and New York's residents are being forced to make tough financial decisions every day. This project has the potential to bring investments in clean and renewable energy technologies and create clean-tech, green collar jobs. The partnership between LIPA and ConEd could provide New Yorkers with a cleaner, brighter future, and I look forward to the conclusion of this project.’


The working group will study – among other things – suitable locations for an offshore wind project, transmission and interconnection capabilities, and the availability of wind as an energy source. The information gathered from the working group will be used to provide a better understanding of the opportunities for such a project and, if feasible, the development of a jointly issued request for proposals whereby both utilities could share the cost of the project as well as the power generated from the project. Wind developers, industry representatives and other interested parties will also be invited to participate in this study.

The announcement of the working group marks the first regional partnership project between LIPA and ConEd.

SOURCE: Office of Gov. David A. Paterson

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