Announcements

One of several spatial studies to support future offshore wind development, NYSERDA released the Maritime Assessment on Commercial and Recreational Uses in deep waters. The Study assesses marine activity in offshore areas beyond the 60-meter depth contour using current and historical data, and projects future activity. The full report and other NYSERDA spatial studies are available here: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Offshore-Wind/Focus-Areas/Regional-Collaboration/Siting-Offshore-Wind.

On December 18, 2024, the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Transmission (ORES) pursuant to The Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the State Register to modify regulations for siting, design, construction, and operation of major renewable generation and major electric transmission facilities under Public Service Law Article VIII. Learn more here. Comments are being accepted through March 18, 2025.

The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) released a request for information (RFI) on December 18, 2024 for their 6^th solicitation (NY6) for Offshore Renewable Energy Certificates (ORECs) with specific emphasis on integrating the potential structure with the New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO’s) ongoing New York City Public Policy Transmission Need (NYC PPTN) solicitation. Responses are due February 19, 2025.

The Offshore Wind Major Component Manufacturing Port Infrastructure Request for Qualifications (RFQL) was released by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) on October 29, 2024 and revised on December 6, 2024. The RFQL constitutes Phase I of a two-phase process through which NYSERDA seeks to pre-qualify ports located in New York State for participation in a competitive solicitation to award grant funding for Major Component Manufacturing (defined further below) to advance the offshore wind supply chain in New York State. Applications are due January 13, 2025.

New York State Governor Hochul announced on June 4, 2024 that new contracts for Empire Wind I and Sunrise Wind were finalized as the result of New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. Among the contract commitments, the developers will be advancing maritime engagement and workforce programming. Executed contracts and further details are available for review on NYSERDA’s website.

On April 22, 2024, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced actions to accelerate the clean energy transition through the adoption of the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act. The regulatory process will be centralized within the Department of Public Service Office of Renewable Energy Siting.  The RAPID Act will streamline transmission infrastructure buildout while also promoting the State’s clean energy goals by creating a clear regulatory environmental review and permitting process for projects to follow.

Governor Hochul announced the successful completion of the landmark South Fork Wind project on March 14^th, becoming America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm and real progress towards New York State’s 9,000 MW offshore wind mandate. Located approximately 35 miles east of Montauk Point, Long Island, South Fork Wind is currently delivering enough renewable energy to power 70,000 Long Island homes.

On April 23rd, NYSERDA announced an (1) Offshore Wind Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics Request for Proposal (RFP) and a Request for Information (RFI) associated with New York State’s fifth offshore wind solicitation (NY5), and (2) a $300 million Major Component Supply Chain solicitation. Both NY5 and the Major Component Supply Chain solicitations are set to launch in the summer of 2024. The Offshore Wind Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics RFP is due August 13th. A webinar to provide more information on the above RFP and RFI will be held on May 7th, at 9:00 a.m. EST.   

New awards: Today, Governor Hochul announced that New York State awarded two offshore wind projects for contract negotiation from its fourth offshore wind solicitation – Empire Wind 1, a planned 810-megawatt project (developed by Equinor), and Sunrise Wind, a planned 924-megawatt project (developed by Ørsted and Eversource). This represents continued action taken by the State as part of New York’s 10-Point Action Plan to overcome macroeconomic and inflationary challenges impacting the renewable energy sector. NYSERDA will be hosting a webinar on the awarded projects on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Registration information is available here.

Calling all ports! Port infrastructure funding opportunities are open. The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration announced the availability of up to $450,000,000 in funding with applications due April 30, 2024. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting applications under the Clean Ports Program’s Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition and the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition. The Notice of Intent to apply is due March 28, 2024. Both applications are due May 28, 2024. For more information on federal grant opportunities, visit https://www.grants.gov/.

The Empire Wind Offshore Wind Project’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) was approved on February 22, 2024, following the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Record of Decision in November 2023. The approved COP includes the construction and operation of two offshore wind farms, Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2, located approximately 12 nautical miles south of Long Island. Learn more about the Empire Wind projects here.

On February 1, Governor Hochul announced the New Offshore Wind Basic Safety Training Program at SUNY Maritime College. Beginning February 5, 2024, SUNY Maritime College, in partnership with RelyOn Nutec, will offer five modules of Basic Safety Training, which is certified by the Global Wind Organization (GWO) and required before offshore wind workers begin technical training. This program was made possible, in part, through a $500,000 Offshore Wind Training Institute grant awarded in 2023. Visit SUNY Maritime College for more information on GWO Basic Safety Training.

Offshore Wind continues making huge strides in NYS. Over the past days and weeks, BOEM issued the Empire Wind Record of Decision and Sunrise Wind Final EIS, NYS Public Service Commission issued the Empire Wind 1 Article VII Certificate and approved the Sunrise Wind construction plan, and finally South Fork Wind delivered its first power to Long Island. What a way to end 2023!

On October 24, Governor Hochul announced the largest state investment in renewable energy in U.S. history. This includes competitively selecting three (3) new offshore wind projects totaling 4,032 megawatts (MW) and $300 million in state investments for supply chain facilities in New York’s Capital Region. Visit New York’s Offshore Wind Projects webpage for more information.

Building upon the Commission’s Transmission Planning Order this summer, the NY Independent Service Operator (NYISO) initiated the NYC Public Policy Transmission Need for coordinated transmission into the Con Edison grid. Prospective bidders are participating in technical conferences ahead of a formal solicitation anticipated in early 2024. Learn more on NYISO Planning Studies.

Coast Guard Sector New York guidance documents: Sector NY has developed two (2) guidance documents relevant for offshore wind projects. Stakeholder Outreach Best Practices was developed to assist project managers of major marine construction projects within the Port of New York and New Jersey and on the Hudson River. Information for Windfarm Leaseholders was developed to assist offshore wind leaseholders with a range of topics pertinent to working in Sector NY.

Empire Wind 1 Article VII Joint Proposal (JP): A Joint Proposal was filed with the NYS Public Service Commission on 8/15/2023 and is available for download (Case 21-T-0366). The JP contains proposed project conditions to address anticipated impacts that were agreed upon by the developer, NYS agencies, NYC, and Long Island Commercial Fishing Association. On 8/22/2023, the NYS Public Service Commission issued a notice accepting comments on the JP through September 15, 2023. Files potentially of interest to the M-TWG are:

• Summary of the Joint Proposal
• EW1 Joint Proposal
• Appendix D: Proposed Certificate Conditions
• Appendix G: Mariner Notification and Public Input Processes

BOEM has initiated its review of the Beacon Wind Project located in southern New England waters that is proposing two (2) phases of development and two (2) possible landfall locations in Astoria, Queens and Waterford, Connecticut. The deadline for comments is July 31.

NYS Public Service Commission (PSC) Order Addressing Public Policy Requirements for Transmission Planning Purposes (Case 22-E-0633) initiates a process to deliver at least 4,770 MW and up to 8,000 MW of offshore wind generation to NYC’s Con Edison system. The M-TWG comments are cited on pg. 27 & 40.

(7/3/2023) Department of Energy (DOE) announces National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) process. Public comment period extended to July 31. Update on 8/23/2023: New York State Entities responded to DOE’s request for information in this letter.

Northeast states seek to establish a “Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission” that would leverage DOE’s technical expertise in partnership with states representing New England, New York, and New Jersey to explore opportunities for increased electric transmission interconnectivity, including for offshore wind.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their new Clean Ports Program with a $3B grant offering. To learn more about this initiative and the June 5^th deadline for stakeholder feedback, click here.

The M-TWG Cabling Workshop Summary Report is available on the workshop page. Our sincere thanks to all the workshop participants for a successful meeting and informative document. The Summary Report was also submitted to the NYS Public Service Commission Case 22-E-0633.

The New York Offshore Wind Cable Corridor Constraints Assessment final report was published in March 2023. The Assessment may inform what actions New York State can consider, helping ensure maximum benefits of renewable OSW energy while minimizing conflicts and impacts on activities and infrastructure. For more information, visit https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Offshore-Wind/Focus-Areas/Transmission-NY-Electricity-Grid.

NYSERDA’s existing portfolio of projects can be found on the New York’s Offshore Wind Projects webpage.

The Mid-Atlantic Data Portal maintains a listing of informational resources for current and recent government agency actions, including public comment periods, related to ocean planning in the region https://portal.midatlanticocean.org/current-agency-actions.

More announcements are coming soon!