SOURCE:
https://www.longisland.com/news/03-20-23/5699696.html
BY JACOB ALVEAR - March 21, 2023
Shirley, NY—Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine today announced a giant step forward to cement Suffolk County as a national leader of the growing offshore wind industry.
The leaders announced the town of Brookhaven has come to terms on a Host Community Agreement (HCA) with Sunrise Wind, an offshore wind project that will generate enough clean energy for nearly 600,000 New York homes annually and bring more than $700 million of investment for assets, jobs and programming in Suffolk County. Sunrise Wind will be the second project to connect to the local grid in Suffolk County, following South Fork Wind—New York’s first offshore wind farm — which is currently under construction and expected to be operational by the end of this year. Both projects are being developed through a joint venture between Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind, and Eversource, New England’s largest energy provider and experts in regional energy transmission.
“Offshore wind presents tremendous potential in New York’s transition to a zero-emission economy, and I am pleased to see that this critical milestone has been reached. Now the residents of Brookhaven and Suffolk County can begin to benefit from hundreds of millions of dollars in local investments, a great example of what renewable energy development can bring to host communities,” said New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “NYSERDA looks forward to continuing to partner with Sunrise Wind as we work together to ensure these economic and environmental benefits unfold starting now, from construction through operation. “
“Offshore wind is our nation’s clean energy future, and Suffolk County is now firmly at the forefront of this industry,” said County Executive Bellone. “In addition to the considerable benefits of this project, including hundreds of union jobs, the Host Community Agreement will generate millions of dollars in funding for important community projects including expanding sewers in the Forge River watershed.”
“I am proud that the Town of Brookhaven, in conjunction with Sunrise Wind, is taking the lead on a project that will generate clean green energy, create lasting employment, and put Suffolk County on the cutting edge of offshore wind operations,” said Supervisor Romaine.
“Sunrise Wind will deliver more than just clean, renewable energy to Suffolk County and New York – it will also deliver hundreds of jobs and long-term economic benefits to this community,” said Julia Bovey, Director of External Affairs Offshore Wind at Eversource Energy and Jen Garvey, Head of New York Market Strategy for Ørsted. “This project will support union construction jobs and provide workers a pathway into well-paying careers. A purpose-built offshore wind training center and maintenance hub will establish Suffolk County as a national leader in the industry. We are grateful for the support of the Brookhaven and Suffolk County communities and leaders like County Executive Bellone and Supervisor Romaine, together we will help New York achieve its clean energy goals.”
The project’s wind turbines will be located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk and will deliver clean energy to the Long Island grid via a 124-mile power export cable. The planned onshore route for the transmission line includes making landfall deep under the beach at Smith Point County Park, then routing 18 miles under publicly owned roads and rights-of-way to a point of interconnection with the existing grid in Holbrook.
Similar to the process for South Fork Wind, the HCA for Sunrise Wind is being made in connection with the granting of real estate rights required for installation of the onshore portion of the underground transmission line. Additionally, the Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency has approved a payment-in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for the project.
Under the terms of these agreements, Sunrise Wind would pay a total of $169.9 million over 25 years, inclusive of the $28 million PILOT, and including $5 million towards construction of a Tri-Hamlet Park and projects in the community.
Sunrise Wind is scheduled to begin construction later this year. In total, the project will result in more than $700 million of investment by Sunrise Wind over the 25-year project life for strategic assets, jobs, and programming in Suffolk County, including:
$10 million for a National Offshore Wind Training Center in Brentwood.
A state-of-the-art Operations and Maintenance Hub in East Setauket that will create up to 100 new long terms jobs.
The designation of Port Jefferson as the home port of the project’s custom-built 260-foot Service Operation Vessel.
$5 million for a Research and Development Partnership with Stony Brook University
Hundreds of union construction jobs to build the 18-mile underground transmission infrastructure and interconnection facilities.
In November 2022, the New York Public Service Commission approved Sunrise Wind’s transmission route in a joint proposal that was unopposed by any party, positioning it to be the second successfully completed offshore wind farm in New York State after South Fork Wind.
New York State Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano said: “Clean, renewable energy is a priority for Long Island especially since we are a coastal region with a huge susceptibility to climate change and rising sea levels. Sunrise Wind is at the forefront of a global push to wean our planet from fossil fuels and l am happy to support their projects."
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey said: "The signing of this agreement will provide the residents of Suffolk County a new source of environmentally friendly, renewable, and sustainable energy. It will also embrace our skilled labor workforce and provide lasting jobs in an emerging and rapidly growing technology driven business sector. Our local schools at the high school and college level are embracing the future with a curriculum that will provide the industry with a properly trained workforce from right here in Suffolk County."
Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella said: "The Sunrise Wind project will produce enough clean energy to power over half a million homes. It will create hundreds of well-paying construction jobs spurring economic growth locally. This project will also present exciting opportunities for our young people to have successful careers in a new sector of clean energy."
Brookhaven Town Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Dan Panico said: “This project is a tremendous generator of economic activity, will provide needed funding for important projects, and reaffirms the status of Brookhaven as a leader on environmental initiatives and alternative energy.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said: “The Sunrise Wind Project is building on New York’s robust offshore wind efforts on Long Island and across the State advancing clean energy for New Yorkers and creating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs of the future. This agreement builds on our commitment to meet New York’s aggressive climate targets under our nation-leading climate law and ensure a cleaner, greener environment for future generations to improve quality of life and combat the global threat of climate change. I commend County Executive Steve Bellone and local Suffolk County officials for their work to move this project forward to benefit homeowners and families on Long Island for many years to come.”
Matthew Aracich, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties said: “Long Island is fast becoming the epicenter of a New Green Economy. Hats off to the team of Orsted Eversource for making government, labor and, sustainability synonymous when harnessing the power of Offshore Wind. The Host Community Agreement with Sunrise Wind represents another link in the chain between our partners on Long Island. The leadership displayed by County Executive Bellone and Supervisor Romaine will leave a lasting impression by attracting business as well as families who have a desire to Live, Work, Play and Stay on Long Island.”
John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO said: “Sunrise Wind will have a positive impact on our region and build a brighter future for all New Yorker's. This project's robust workforce commitments, coupled with a strong community host agreement, are significant steps to achieving a truly just transition. The lived experience of our union movement is that working people are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and bear the brunt of natural disasters. Fortunately, it also means we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the opportunities this new industry presents, and with dedicated local leadership, we'll be able to realize its full potential.”
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment said: “The benefits of a new renewable offshore wind economy keep giving. Fighting climate change, providing new job opportunities, and now investing in our communities with new tools for clean water and a healthier way of life. Bringing sewers to the Mastic community is a game changer and with this Host Community Benefit Package it is a reality. Thank you to Ørsted and Eversource for their commitment to being a good neighbor and understanding the needs of our community. Thank you to our elected leaders for their steadfast support in advancing these critical projects.”
Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters, said: "It is time to move beyond making plans and setting goals and start taking climate action. Offshore wind means more than just fighting climate change and cutting pollution, it means opportunities, and that's why we are so excited about the Host Community Agreement that the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County have entered into with Sunrise Wind, as it will bring millions in investments and hundreds of family sustaining union jobs to Long Island. Congratulations to Supervisor Romaine and County Executive Bellone for continuing to embrace offshore wind. This agreement puts New York one step closer to realizing its bold clean energy goals and we thank Governor Hochul for her vision and for making New York a national leader in offshore wind."
Maura Spery, President, Masic Beach Conservancy said: “Mastic Beach Conservancy (MBC) is excited to have the Sunrise Wind Project anchor itself here in the Tri-Hamlet community. MBC has been working hard partnering with our elected officials, civic groups and other stakeholders to help create a sustainable, environmentally friendly community. Under the leadership of the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County our area is becoming a leader in environmental conservation as well as a magnet for educational incubators and community backed eco-tourism efforts. We look forward to working with Sunrise Wind to help mitigate the damaging effects of climate change and sea level rise through innovative, sustainable initiatives, right here in our own backyard.”
Frank Fugarino, President, Pattersquash Creek Civic Association said: “Neighborhood Road is as important to our community as the name would imply. The work done by the Town of Brookhaven and Sunrise Wind will not only generate green energy, but it will accelerate the revitalization of the Mastic Beach area by bringing in new money and new jobs.”