New York Gov. Kathy Hochul faces criticism after her recent veto of a bill that would have hastened an offshore wind project off the coast of Long Island. The bill also aimed to allow for a transmission line to pass underneath the public beach in the city of Long Beach. Hochul’s decision came as a disappointment to clean energy supporters who have eagerly awaited the development of offshore wind projects in the state.
In her veto message, Hochul emphasized the importance of renewable energy developers forming strong connections with their host communities. She pointed out that the City Council of Long Beach, which serves as the project’s host community, had explicitly stated its opposition to any encroachment on parkland. While Long Beach supports the state’s efforts in transitioning away from fossil fuels, it adamantly refused to authorize the transmission line running through its parkland.
Long Beach City Council President John Bendo acknowledged the urgent need for sustainable energy sources and the rising sea levels affecting the area. However, he insisted that bringing the power transmission line through the town center and its beach would have severe economic consequences. The city relies on tourism revenue, and diverting tourists to other beaches for two years would be financially detrimental.
Environmental advocates criticized Hochul’s veto, interpreting it as a sign that she lacks the determination necessary to achieve the state’s climate goals. They urged the governor to be more assertive in overcoming opposition to crucial renewable energy projects. Alex Beauchamp, regional director for Food & Water Watch, emphasized the need for New York to follow through on its plans to build renewable infrastructure.
The transmission line in question was part of the expansive Empire Wind project, situated roughly 20 miles off the coast of Long Island. Developers had intended for it to consist of around 130 turbines and generate 2.1 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power one million homes. Equinor, the wind developer involved, drew blame from Bendo for failing to address the community’s concerns. Bendo expressed disappointment that Equinor did not engage with residents or explain the project’s benefits to them.
Equinor refrained from addressing questions regarding its lack of community engagement but criticized New York for undermining the state’s renewable energy mandate. The company’s President, Molly Morris, emphasized the implications of the recent failed attempt to renegotiate future power sales contracts by the New York State Public Service Commission, along with Hochul’s veto.
The combination of the failed contract renegotiation and the veto has cast doubt over the future of the Long Beach wind project. Ari Brown, a Republican state assemblymember, suggests that the veto essentially kills the project. Brown contemplates the possibility of introducing another bill to move the cable further out to sea, but questions its feasibility due to the significant costs involved.
The fate of the offshore wind project off the coast of Long Island remains uncertain as stakeholders, including clean energy supporters, local communities, and developers, grapple with how to reconcile the imperative of renewable energy with the concerns of host communities.