An Offshore Odyssey: New York's Journey Towards Renewable Energy

By: Nick Guariglia

The news last week was disappointing, but the offshore wind industry has shown their commitment to meeting the goals that New York State has set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. In March alone, we saw the first utility-scale offshore wind farm become fully operational (South Fork Wind Farm), NYSERDA completed its rapid rebid to award Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind provisional contracts, Equinor signed a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Great New York and Vicinity for the construction and revitalization of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and Orsted received their Record of Determination from the BOEM.

Not to go unnoticed was the Biden-Harris administration announcement of four auctions for new lease areas in the Gulf of Mexico, the release of guidance for an IRA bonus tax credit to better include energy communities, and the first of its kind, tri-state agreement, between Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut to receive proposals to develop a combined 6,000 megawatts of offshore wind.

What does all this mean? It means that offshore wind is going to create an industry that will spawn thousands of jobs and produce energy that is not influenced by global events. It provides an energy market that is reliable and provides opportunity for communities that have been historically impacted the use of fossil fuels.

In New York alone, the offshore wind industry is predicted to create 10,000 jobs through its initial commitment to developing 9,000 megawatts of energy. These jobs will be multigenerational, good-paying, and will create a skill set for those who will continue to work in the renewable energy sector for years to come. They will be in construction, manufacturing, installation, research and development, operations and maintenance, and other fields.

Where can you find these jobs? SUNY has partnered with the New York Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI), developing SUNY Farmingdale and Stony Brook University as colleges that have developed offshore wind training programs. They aim to educate and certify 2,500 New Yorkers in both offshore and onshore renewable energy projects.

Also, under the OWTI partnership, two educational facilities are being funded to support early training and skills development, particularly for disadvantaged communities (including veterans, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and homeless and single parents. One of those facilities will service upstate, Hudson Valley Community College, and one facility is located in NYC, LaGuardia Community College. There is an additional partnership with SUNY Maritime College, backed by a NYS grant, creating classroom and online training programs specifically geared towards offshore wind development.

Orsted, understanding the need for a well-trained workforce that is homegrown, has invested $10 million in a National Offshore Wind Training Center at Suffolk Community College. This center will train and certify workers through the nation’s first Global Wind Organization Training Center.

The number one question I receive when speaking about offshore wind is, “Where do I find these jobs?” Starting with the colleges and training centers I have just mentioned is a good start, but we must not forget about the partnership that has been formed with our local unions. They provide the track to having a long-lasting career in construction, operations, and maintenance for these wind farms. They also provide the proper training and safety that is needed for the industry to produce energy for New Yorkers responsibly for years to come.

Building an entirely new domestic heavy industry isn’t easy. That’s been proven. But committing to doing it this way, versus relying on foreign parts means that we will not only benefit from the electricity produced, we will benefit every step of the way. It’s worth it in the long run. New York State is primed to continue to lead on renewable energy, but it is not going to happen without the creation of a robust supply chain and the development of an industry, where both will economically impact every corner of the Empire State. I am excited to see this industry change communities by giving opportunities to businesses large and small, and providing careers to New Yorkers that will pay good wages and provide work for generations.