Long Island July Report

Climate Jobs NY | Long Island Report, July 2021

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I hope everyone has been enjoying their summers. It was another action-packed month for Climate Jobs NY and offshore wind.

"What's Brewin' Offshore?" Comin' to a Brewery Near You!

(Pictured L-R): Back: Julie Tighe, NYLCV, Shaun Little, Journeyman Laborers Local 66, Vinny Alu, Field Representative Laborers Local 66, Matty Aracich, President Nassau/Suffolk Building Trades, County Executive Steve Bellone, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Roger Clayman, Exec Director LI Fed. Front: Mariah Dignan, CJNY Long Island Organizer.

Along with our partners, New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Long Island Association, and Orsted/Eversource, we had over 60 people join the happy hour at Po' Boy Brewery in Port Jefferson Station, including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

Long Islanders learned about permitted and proposed offshore wind projects including the Sunrise Wind, Empire Wind, South Fork Wind, and Beacon Wind projects. Attendees also learned about green, union job opportunities and how to get involved.

The next chance to grab a beer and learn about Long Island offshore wind is September 13 at Bright Eye Beer in Long Beach. More details to come! Check out the feature in the Long Island Business News.

Climate Jobs NY Submits Comments on Empire Wind 1 & 2

CJNY submitted supportive comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to kickstart the federal permitting process for Empire Wind 1 & 2. These projects will power over one million homes and provide nearly two gigawatts of clean renewable energy into New York’s grid.

In our comments, we highlighted that in order to achieve the goals of New York’s nation-leading climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, we need to further projects like Empire Wind 1 & 2. As we are creating this nascent industry, we must ensure the jobs created are good family-sustaining union jobs, not only in the construction and installation of projects and port infrastructure but across the supply chain and operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms. We also touched on the importance of investing in New York's port infrastructure in the Port of Albany and South Brooklyn Marine Terminal as these are game-changers for New York's manufacturers.

We look forward to learning more about the proposed interconnection points into the Gowanus and Barrett Substations and the related environmental and local impacts.

The NY Bight or bite?

Keep an eye out for the sharks off of Nassau's shores, but also keep out an eye for an opportunity to comment during BOEM's proposed sale notice for eight lease areas in the NY bight.

CJNY will be submitting extensive comments in this process, but we need labor unions and community members LIKE YOU to submit supportive comments as well. With regional offshore wind commitments totaling over 30 gigawatts (GW) and New York’s goal of 9,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by 2035, the region is dependent on the proposed lease sales to meet clean energy targets. There's also the opportunity to create tens of thousands of good union jobs in the NY bight proposed lease areas, so we need to highlight the vast potential of the industry and the job opportunities it can create for New Yorkers -- and the concrete steps BOEM can take to make sure those are good union jobs.

Comments are due by August 13 and can be submitted online HERE. CJNY will provide sample statements union members can submit, so stay tuned!

Save the Date

Congressman Tom Suozzi is working with Long Island labor, manufacturers, and offshore wind developers to host the "Long Island Offshore Wind Supply Chain Conference" on September 17 at 10 am at LIU Post.

This event will be an opportunity to discuss Long Island’s growing offshore wind supply chain competencies with leading suppliers, manufacturers, labor leaders, and climate activists.

We will be sure to keep you updated on details as we get closer to September.

RSVP at this link.

Have a safe rest of your summer!

In solidarity,

Mariah Dignan

Long Island Organizer

Climate Jobs NY

mdignan@climatejobsny.org

646-708-5474

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