As Brooklyn Borough President, one of my biggest priorities is creating a greener and more sustainable borough. Thanks to the CLCPA, we have clear benchmarks for implementing a just transition from fossil fuels for our city and state, and offshore wind plays a key role.
While I am not a potential proposer into ORECRFP24-1 or any similar requests or solicitations, I am an interested party tasked with advocating for my constituents. When offshore wind comes to our communities, it brings significant economic benefits in the form of green jobs and investments. It also supports environmental justice by getting us closer to closing outdated and polluting peaker plants, which is particularly important for Brooklyn, where the NYISO recently dictated that four peakers must stay open through 2025 due to concerns about grid capacity.
I am thrilled that with the State’s support, Equinor is beginning to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into an offshore wind hub. Late last year, I released the Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn, which envisions a vibrant working waterfront that supports green job creation. Equinor’s project fits perfectly into that vision, and I want to encourage more of the industry and its associated supply chain to locate in the borough. I was disappointed by the cancellation of the 2023 solicitation, which would have brought another project to Brooklyn, and am glad to see the follow-up proceeding quickly.
However, I want to share a related concern regarding Question 7: “Are the proposed cable limitations for Zone J (up to one HVDC cable) appropriate given the forthcoming NYC PPTN?” I would argue that they are not, and ask NYSERDA to reconsider this proposal. I am excited for the PPTN’s potential to support the expansion of wind energy in NYC; however, it should not preclude the State from moving forward with designating more projects for NYC now. The longer the State waits, the longer we depend on fossil fuels for power, the further we get from meeting our CLCPA targets, and the longer our communities wait for associated jobs and investments.
I encourage NYSERDA to move forward quickly with a flexible solicitation that allows for creativity and does not cut NYC out. Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
Antonio Reynoso
Brooklyn Borough President
