Long Island, NY - July 14, 2016 - Next week, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is expected to approve what will be the nation’s largest offshore wind project, 30 miles east of Montauk. The project would have 15 turbines and a capacity of 90 megawatts, enough to power about 50,000 homes on Long Island. It would be three times larger than the only offshore wind project currently under construction in the U.S, which is located off of Rhode Island and also being developed by Deepwater Wind.
Heather Leibowitz, the Director of Environment New York, issued the following statement:
"Offshore wind needs to be a significant part of the energy mix. It is key to putting the Empire State on a path toward an economy powered entirely by renewable energy. The 90-megawatts of energy produced off east Montauk will get us one step closer to this goal.
"LIPA’s approval of the project is key to meeting Governor Cuomo’s interim goal of 50 percent clean energy within 15 years.
"Constructing the nation’s largest offshore wind energy project is momentous and puts New York right where it should be—at the front of the pack. Accelerating our transition to pollution-free energy sources means cleaner air for families, less global warming pollution, more stable electricity bills, and a stronger economy.”
Environment New York is a state-wide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization working for clean air, clean water and open space.