Groups Respond to LIPA’s Postponement of Offshore Wind Vote

Environment New York

New York, NY- After the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) delayed a vote on what would be the second and largest offshore wind farm in the U.S., Environment New York joined the Sierra Club and over 30 other organizations in a letter sent to Governor Cuomo expressing their disappointment in the delay and urging New York officials to reschedule the vote. 

LIPA had been expected to approve Deepwater Wind’s proposal for a 15 turbine, 90 megawatt capacity project 30 miles east of Montauk. The vote was delayed at the request of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. 

Heather Leibowitz, the Director of Environment New York, issued the following statement:

“As Rhode Island enters the final stages of construction on the first offshore wind project in the U.S., now is not the time for New York to delay. Offshore wind is critical to moving New York towards a future powered entirely by renewable energy. LIPA’s approval of Deepwater Wind’s proposal will be a step in the right direction.

Governor Cuomo needs to stand by his support of the Deepwater Wind project to help achieve his interim goal of 50 percent renewable energy in 15 years and make New York a leader on addressing climate change. 

LIPA must reschedule this vote and launch the largest offshore wind project in the country. New York can and should lead the way by committing to this clean, local, renewable energy source.”