The Department of the Interior recently proposed a lease sale of more than 81,000 acres of federal offshore space, located approximately 11 miles south of Long Island, for commercial wind-energy development.
“This is another major step in broadening our nation’s energy portfolio, harnessing power near population centers on the East Coast,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said. “Offshore wind power marks a new frontier in renewable energy development, creating the path for sustainable electricity generation, job creation and strengthening our nation's economic competitiveness. I am optimistic about New York’s renewable energy future as we work toward harnessing the enormous resource potential of wind energy offshore the Empire State.”
The proposed lease sale, for which the Interior Department is currently accepting public comments, continues to further the Obama administration’s Climate Action Plan, which emphasizes job creation, domestic clean-energy source development and carbon-pollution reductions.
“As a New Yorker, I am thrilled about today’s announcement and what it means for our state’s renewable energy future,” Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider said. “The Interior Department has worked closely with our state partner and coordinated with our Renewable Energy Task Force Members to identify an area that can support a large-scale commercial wind project.”
Alerts Sign-up