New York State Announces First Ever Offshore Wind Energy Awards 

Nation-leading Program Sends Powerful Message To Launch Offshore Wind Industry                                                     

New York, July 18, 2019 — Governor Cuomo announced today that Equinor US Holdings and a joint venture between Orsted A/S and Eversource Energy are the successful bidders in the State’s first ever offshore wind solicitation conducted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Following a competitive process, NYSERDA selected two projects that when constructed will provide 1700 megawatts-hours of clean, renewable electricity into New York’s grid, enough to power 1 million households. The 1700 MW award is the largest in the nation to-date and the first major installment toward the Governor’s nation-leading commitment to develop 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035. It is an important step towards the greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy targets contained in the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. 

Read the entire news release here.

Solar power is big news in the Town of East Hampton! The town’s Solarize campaign, which makes going solar easier and more affordable for residents and businesses, is now up and running.

And East Hampton’s first megawatt-scale solar power plant will soon generate clean power.

Construction is almost complete on the South Fork’s first utility scale solar farm at a former brush dump on Accabonac Road in Springs.  The solar farm is expected to be online in December 2018 with 1.1 MW (DC) of capacity, feeding electricity directly into the existing electric grid.  Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc and Board members held a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 22^nd to celebrate the completion of the first rows of panels.  This solar farm is an important step towards the Town’s goal of meeting 100% of annual, community wide electricity need with renewable sources.

This community wide goal is a community wide effort.  In May 2018 the Town launched a renewable energy initiative called Energize East Hampton, which connects residents and local businesses to programs that help them reduce their energy consumption, and as a result, lower their energy bills.  Energize East Hampton includes a Solarize campaign.  The goal of this campaign, supported by the State’s NY-Sun initiative, is to increase the number of grid connected rooftop solar PV systems in East Hampton.  Residents and businesses can install rooftop solar PV systems at a discounted price offered exclusively through the campaign.  Earlier this year the Town sent out an RFP and through a competitive selection process, chose local company GreenLogic Energy as the designated solar installer for Solarize East Hampton.  GreenLogic helps residents and business owners through every step of the process, beginning with a free consultation, site assessment and estimate. 

Residents and business owners that are interested in solar installation are urged to sign up through the Campaign to receive their free solar evaluation and discounted pricing at EnergizeEH.org/solar

Let's Build a Renewable and Resilient Energy System for the South Fork!

It starts this Wednesday, June 15!  Join us for the South Fork Clean Energy Forum to talk with community leaders working to build a smarter, more affordable, more resilient energy system. Experts will unveil exciting, cost saving new plans to make the South Fork a leader in clean energy.

Learn about free local programs and rebates for making your home and workplace energy efficient and solar powered while saving you money on utility bills.

The forum is free and light refreshments will be served. It will be held at LTV Studio 3, 75 Industrial Rd., Wainscott, NY 11975.

It's free but please reserve your seat by RSVPing here.

Currently over 14,000 homes and businesses on Long Island derive all or part of their electricity from the sun. The cost of solar panels has been dropping steadily over time, and between rebates offered by PSEG-Long Island and federal and state tax credits, in most cases solar energy systems are paid off in 5-10 years. Once paid off, aside from a modest fee connecting you to the grid, the electricity your panels generate is free.

And now you can own a solar electric system without putting down cash! NY State's new reduced-interest rate loans for solar energy systems are repaid through an installment charge on your utility bill. Your monthly electric savings pay off the loan and you get all the benefits of making your own power! Click here to learn more, then find a solar contractor to get started.

If you're interested in getting solar for your home, business, municipality or school, reLI offers a "Find-a-Contractor" search to connect you with solar installers on Long Island. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND A SOLAR CONTRACTOR 

On May 20, 2014, the East Hampton Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution  to meet 100% of annual community-wide electricity usage with renewable energy sources by 2020. Furthermore, the Town aims to meet 100% of annual community-wide energy consumption in all sectors (electricity, heating, and transportation) with renewable energy sources by 2030.

Long Island is at a critical juncture in determining its energy future. The Long Island Clean Electricity Vision began at a Long Island Energy Roundtable meeting, a gathering of environmental professionals, with a simple but bold question which challenges conventional thinking:

Could Long Island meet 100 percent of its electricity needs with energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies which are available today?

Offshore wind energy has the potential to positively transform the way Long Islanders get electricity. One of the leading offshore wind projects in development, Deepwater ONE, would be built 30 miles east of Montauk Point. The wind park would generate enough electricity to power 120,000 homes and displace hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide yearly. Offshore wind is also an economic boom waiting to happen. At the end of 2012, the U.S. wind industry supported 80,000 full-time jobs and the U.S. Department of Labor expects the wind sector to grow 24% by 2022.[1]