(Ad Meskens photo/Wikimedia Commons)

A coalition of environmental,
business and labor organizations on Wednesday reminded Gov. Andrew Cuomo of a
massive, untapped source of clean, renewable energy lies just off New York’s
shores. 

Adrienne Esposito, director of Citizens Campaign
for the Environment, wants the governor to know there’s a great opportunity
coming up for the state to start a new chapter in its drive for a clean energy
future.

“81,000 acres of bottomland off of the south
shore of Long Island is going up for lease,” she states. “And we want to
get, for the first time, offshore wind power for New York.”

More than 60 groups delivered a letter to the governor calling for a large scale, long-term commitment to
wind power.

Recently, the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority announced its intent to pursue an offshore lease for
wind-power development. 

But Esposito says the governor needs to provide
the leadership.

“We need the governor to stand up and say,
‘I want offshore wind. I’m going to support it. I want to move the process
forward. Let’s get it done,’ ” she states.

New York has pledged to generate 50 percent of
its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030.

Esposito maintains offshore wind could play an
important part in meeting that goal.

“We’re not going to achieve that rooftop by
rooftop,” she says. “We will achieve this big, ambitious goal by implementing
some big, ambitious projects. Offshore wind is one of them.”

The federal Bureau of Ocean Management held a
public hearing in New York City on Wednesday evening on the up-coming
lease auction for the New York Wind Energy Area.


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