On the occasion of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) meeting on offshore wind in Southampton, I wish to take the opportunity to again state my position on offshore wind energy projects in New York State and Long Island, in particular.

From the days of the Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) and Shoreham to the current iteration of the Long Island Power Authority, Long Island has been saddled with repeated energy policy failures that have ultimately cost Long Islanders billions of dollars and have provided a significant drag on the regional economy.

Off shore wind power for Long Island presents another fork in the road for our energy future. It is important we get it right.

1. I support the development of offshore wind energy as a replacement for fossil fuel, as we combat the problems associated with climate change. It is also the most viable option for continued energy independence for Long Island.
2. The NYSERDA plan presents a responsible first step in the development of offshore wind energy. Coupled with necessary public input, a consensus driven plan can be developed for Long Island’s future.
3. The site map developed by NYSERDA for the location of wind energy projects should be the starting point for the development of a final plan. The additional areas proposed by the federal government through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) should be rejected out of hand. The state proposal reflects a better researched approach which considers local concerns.
4. Enactment of an offshore energy plan is only that: a plan. This does not mean that each individual project proposed under the plan should be rubberstamped. Rather each individual project must be subject to the most rigorous oversight and environmental review to insure that all potential adverse impacts are mitigated. Most notably, Long Island is home to an important and vital commercial fishing industry. No project should be approved until it is demonstrated that any harm to the industry can be avoided.
5. Finally, though not the subject of the NYSERDA meeting, let me again reiterate my opposition to any form of offshore drilling for oil or gas in the Atlantic, specifically off of New York. I support Governor Cuomo’s recent legislative proposal to prohibit such drilling off of the Long Island coast. The federal government should announce its abandonment of such a proposal immediately.