Long Island August Report

Climate Jobs NY | Long Island Report, August 2021

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NY Bight Proposed Sale Notice Comments and Environmental Assessment

Climate Jobs NY submitted comments on the proposed sale notice of eight lease areas in the NY Bight on August 13. We highlighted the importance of having high-road labor standards like Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), Prevailing Wage, and Apprenticeship Utilization in the construction of projects in lease stipulations.

We also touched on the benefits Community Workforce Agreements can bring to disadvantaged communities and how we have the opportunity to create a robust domestic supply chain. Overall, our comments drove the point home that "we can only create family-supporting jobs and address inequities in our communities by requiring strong labor standards, like PLAs and prevailing wage, for projects in the eight lease areas." Please find CJNY's comments here.

Shortly after the comment period deadline, BOEM released the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the lease areas in the Bight. The EA examines the potential impacts issuing commercial and research leases within the nearly 800,000-acre wind energy areas (WEAs), and granting of rights-of-way and rights-of-use and easement in the region. This publication opens a 30-day comment period and moves the leasing process forward. We are hopeful to see a final sale notice and auction by the end of the year. For more information, please visit here.

UFCW 1500 & RWDSU Local 338 LI Offshore Wind Session

On August 25, Climate Jobs NY's Education Fund along with our partner, Cornell's Worker Institute, held a Zoom education training on climate change and NY's offshore wind projects with The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 and the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 338. These locals represent grocery store workers and local 338 will represent workers in New York's soon-to-be cannabis industry.

Members were eager to learn about the offshore wind projects and discussed their personal experiences of impacts from climate change, including food security concerns from floods, droughts and other weather events. While the members of these locals will likely not see direct jobs from offshore wind, we talked about how the labor movement comes together to fight for good union jobs for our fellow brothers and sisters. Thank you to all who attended and we are looking forward to the next training sessions with the Communication Workers of America and IBEW in September!

South Fork FEIS

On August 16, the South Fork Wind Project received its Final Environmental Impact Statement from BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management). This is another key federal permitting milestone for the project to become New York's first offshore wind farm. More information on the FEIS can be found here.

It is expected that the project will receive a Record of Decision in October and be able to start construction of the project in the New Year! Stay tuned for more updates.

What's Brewin' Offshore Long Beach Edition

"What's Brewin' Offshore?" is coming to Long Beach on September 13 from 5:30 pm - 7 pm at Bright Eye Beer Co.

Please join Climate Jobs NY Education Fund along with our partners the NY League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Long Island Association, LI Federation of Labor, Equinor, and Citizens Campaign for the Environment for a fun-filled evening of good brews, food, and information on our offshore wind projects! After you grab a pint on us, we will discuss impacts of climate change, NY's clean energy goals, offshore wind projects, and the good union jobs we are fighting for in this nascent industry.

RSVP here and share with family & friends. I hope to see you there!

Have a great last few days of summer- stay safe!

In solidarity,

Mariah Dignan

Long Island Organizer

Climate Jobs NY

mdignan@climatejobsny.org

646-708-5474

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