Mayor de Blasio and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced a 15-year, $191 million Offshore Wind Vision (OSW) plan to make New York City a leading destination for the offshore wind industry. The plan also ensures the city meets nation-leading climate goals of 100-percent clean electricity by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
The $191 million offshore wind investment will put New York City on path to:
- Create over 13,000 jobs and generate $1.3 billion in average annual investment
- Ensure 40% of job and investment benefits are directed toward women, minorities, and environmental justice communities
- Reduce 34.5 million tons of CO2 – the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from roadways for 15 years
“The Climate Crisis is real. New York City will serve as the model for taking climate action and growing the Offshore Wind Industry with a real long-term vision plan focused on equity,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We have the opportunity now to deliver on promises and set the City on a path towards a sustainable future.”
“When we talk about a green economy we are really talking about reliance on renewable energy and the jobs of the future coming together. We are proud to bring this vision to New York – to help meet our long-term sustainability goals and grow a new industry, centering equity as no other global destination has done before,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “We thank the Mayor and all of our partners for joining us in this bold vision for a green future.”
New York City will make commitments focused on three core areas: sites and infrastructure, business and workforce, and research and innovation. The city will work to develop best-in-class infrastructure that will support the construction and operation of offshore wind farms. The plan outlines how the city will expand its manufacturing sector to build, stage, and install wind turbines, and ensure they can be serviced and powered locally.
The plan also commits the city to developing public-private partnerships with communities to create good-paying, green jobs in disadvantaged neighborhoods historically impacted by climate injustice. The city will focus on targeted investments to develop workforce trainings and support businesses that seek to create a diverse talent pool in offshore wind. The plan further aims to support Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and other local companies in accessing over $70 billion expected to be created by the offshore wind industry.
Lastly, the city will work to promote research and innovation in offshore wind so new technologies and approaches are created in New York City. NYCEDC will work with the offshore wind industry and partners to launch an accelerator that will allow New York-based startups to build out the next generation of offshore wind technologies to support worldwide growth and advancement in the field.
“We are thrilled to serve New York City’s Offshore Wind industry, which will provide high-wage job opportunities for New Yorkers,” said RADM Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College. “These jobs begin with essential training, and SUNY Maritime College is poised to prepare the workforce through its Offshore Wind Workforce Development Project. Nearly 5,000 New York jobs could be created by 2035 through regional offshore wind deployment, and SUNY Maritime College has the capacity to provide training and certify hundreds of workers yearly. Through the support of our local Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Thomas Suozzi, and their Community Project funding, this unique program was made possible.”
Visit www.edc.nyc for the full plan.