I am an elected official who has represented the Town of East Hampton in County and State government for nearly 28 years. In addition, I previously served the Town of East Hampton as a counsel for 6 years, advising its planning and zoning boards.

My position on energy issues has been well documented. I have been a major supporter of renewable energy, including solar power and wind power. I have been an opponent of nuclear energy, as well as our continued reliance on fossil fuels. I have also opposed the construction of unsightly, above-ground transmission lines to deliver power to our scenic and historic communities.

The East End has a thriving economy. The protection of our environment and quality of life has been the key to our prosperity. That success has resulted in an increased demand for energy.

At the same time that our energy needs are increasing, we are confronted with the undeniable fact that climate change and sea level rise are real. The 1st Assembly District has more coastline than any district in the State of New York. We are already facing the adverse impacts of climate change across our region. We must promote both energy conservation and the production of clean energy to reverse climate change.

Therefore, it is imperative that we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that generate climate-changing greenhouse gases. Long ago, we determined that nuclear power was not a safe option for Long Island as an alternative to fossil fuels.

I opposed the construction of the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station and supported its closure because eastern Long Island could not be safely evacuated. I opposed the establishment of the fossil fuel-producing Broadwater Natural Gas manufacturing facility for Long Island Sound. These projects were unjustifiable risks to the environment, public health, public safety, and our local economy. Nuclear power and fossil fuels are not Long Island’s energy future.

I have also opposed the construction of ugly, above-ground transmission lines in East Hampton Village, Southampton Town, and Eastport to bring power to the East End. The power is needed, but these above-ground transmission lines are a threat to the scenic vistas and open spaces that East Enders have spent more than a billion dollars to protect. These transmission lines threaten our economy and our environment.

Unfortunately, LIPA and PSEG-LI will not make the investment required to put these transmission lines underground where they belong. As long as we import power from outside the region, we risk further degradation of the aesthetics of our communities by LIPA and PSEG-LI.

Through legislation, capital investment, and my public statements, I have demonstrated support for a clean energy future for eastern Long Island and New York State that is based upon renewable energy, such as wind and solar power. I have also supported producing that energy locally to avoid the need for more above-ground transmission lines to import power to our communities.

The Town of East Hampton has articulated those same energy goals with its town-wide plan for clean energy and energy self-reliance.

Consistent with my vision for our energy future, I have generally supported the goal of the State of New York’s REV (Reforming the Energy Vision) for the development of renewable energy, including offshore wind. The State has called for at least 800 megawatts of offshore wind power from existing lease areas and 2,400 megawatts of off shore wind by 2030.

However, I do not support the federal initiative by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) that would expand lease areas beyond what has been outlined by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). These additional areas would pose a threat to the East End environment and economy. New York State’s approach better protects the region’s resources.

Further, let me also again state my opposition to the federal proposal of drilling for oil or gas off the shores of Long Island. No single idea would undermine our environment and economy more than offshore drilling. It must be rejected now.

The production of energy, from whatever source, comes with risks and potential impacts. When assessing all options, renewable energy, such as offshore wind, presents the best choice.

New York State is not alone in pursuing wind power. Massachusetts and Rhode Island last week announced offshore wind projects which would deliver a combined 1,200 megawatts of energy. Deepwater Wind was one of the selectees for these projects. It is clear that offshore wind is part of our regional and national energy future. New York State, Long Island, and East Hampton Town must play a leadership role. East Hampton Town should benefit from that leadership.

It is in this context that the Town and Town Trustees are considering access for an underground transmission cable across Town and Town Trustee property for a 90 megawatt, 15 turbine wind farm by Deepwater Wind.

While I support the development of offshore wind as part of a responsible energy policy, my support should not be construed as a rubberstamp for every offshore wind project that is proposed. We must look at the merits of each individual project to insure it meets the goals of our energy policy and that the project avoids unacceptable adverse environmental impacts. The public is right to demand the strictest review of this project. Unlike many energy companies, Deepwater Wind has demonstrated a willingness to work with the community as part of the review process.

In particular, I understand the concerns of the commercial fishing industry regarding the Deepwater project. I have worked with the commercial fishing industry to address their legitimate and too-often ignored concerns about federal quotas and state licensing regulations, which have stifled the health of the industry. The Deepwater project will be subject to federal and state review by numerous government agencies, including a full assessment of environmental impacts. However, review by the state can begin only after the real estate approvals from the Town and Town Trustees. The potential impacts to the fishing industry must be identified, addressed, and avoided. This must be accomplished as part of the state and federal review process before the project can go forward.

I support the approval by the Town Board and Town Trustees of the required access easements so that the full environmental review of this project can begin. It is imperative that local government, local officials, and the public continue to participate in these federal and state reviews to insure that all issues are addressed.

In addition to the issue of access easements, I would also like to address two ancillary issues regarding this project. First, one component of the community benefits package being considered by the Town and Town Trustees is the “$2 Million Ocean Industries Sustainability Program.” I was directly involved in these discussions and wish to explain its genesis.

This proposal came out of a meeting last fall that Senator LaValle and I arranged between the commercial fishing industry and the Commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The current state licensing framework was identified at the meeting as a major hindrance to the future health of the industry. The Commissioner committed to a process to develop a licensing reform proposal before the end of 2018, for legislative action in 2019.

It was recognized that the solutions to licensing reform will cost money to develop and implement. At the time of the meeting with the DEC, a community benefits package was already under discussion with the Town and Town Trustees. I was contacted by industry representatives after the meeting. The concept of funding for regulatory reform implementation was identified as a legitimate industry need. Deepwater Wind agreed to provide $2 million for this program as part of the community benefits package. Deepwater Wind’s willingness to participate in this initiative is greatly appreciated.

In my discussions with the Town Supervisor, it was agreed that such work should be undertaken by an independent, not-for-profit entity, with knowledge of the commercial fishing industry, such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, to insure its integrity and independence. The specifics of this program must still be developed. The independent, not-for profit entity should be approved by the Town. The commercial fishing industry must be involved in all aspects of its creation, implementation, and administration.

The second item of my concern is LIPA’s ill-considered policy of denying public access to all of its third-party agreements under the guise of confidentiality, including the Deepwater agreement. There is no legitimate basis for this policy. The public, who pays for the production of power, has every right to review these agreements. Conclusionary statements are not acceptable. LIPA should make the agreement public now.