CLIMATE JOBS NY STATEMENT SUPPORTING ISSUANCE OF RFP FOR $200 MILLION PORT INVESTMENT, SECOND OFFSHORE WIND SOLICITATION, AND LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES SOLICITATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2020
CONTACT: Jeff Vockrodt, Executive Director, jvockrodt@climatejobsny.org, 917-818-3143

CLIMATE JOBS NY STATEMENT SUPPORTING ISSUANCE OF
RFP FOR $200 MILLION PORT INVESTMENT, SECOND OFFSHORE WIND SOLICITATION, AND LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES SOLICITATION

Governor Cuomo’s announcement today that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is issuing a Request for Proposals on New York State’s $200 million investment in port infrastructure to support offshore development, a solicitation for 2,500 megawatts of offshore wind power, and a major large-scale renewables solicitation is a crucial step forward in New York’s progress toward a clean-energy economy. We applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership in taking on climate change, building a robust offshore wind industry in New York, and investing in an economy that works for everyone.
 
Investing in port infrastructure means providing necessary support for upcoming offshore wind projects and staking out New York’s role in the offshore wind supply chain, an investment that will pay off over decades. Including prevailing wage requirements and project labor agreements in the RFP and offshore wind solicitation, and requiring prevailing wage on other large-scale renewable procurement covered by today’s solicitation, will contribute to the success of these important projects and shows the Cuomo administration’s commitment to creating good jobs in New York. Today’s announcement is yet another reminder that we don’t need to choose between bold climate action and good-paying jobs.

Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Climate Jobs NY Executive Committee member, said, "Governor Cuomo’s announcement today is an important step forward in bringing thousands of good jobs and billions in economic development to New York. We applaud the administration’s action on this and look forward to building New York's offshore wind industry and other sources of clean, renewable power for years to come.” 

Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs NY Executive Committee member said, "Today’s action on offshore wind and large-scale renewables continues New York's leadership on renewable energy and creating good jobs of the future. We've seen what a combination of strong leadership and New York's working people can do, and together we can confront climate change to build a renewable economy and promote broad-based economic prosperity and resilient communities across the state."

John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs NY Executive Committee member, said, “ Moving forward quickly on clean energy industries such as offshore wind will play an essential role in fighting climate change and powering New York’s economic recovery. We commend Governor Cuomo for his bold, innovative approach to rebuilding our economy and fighting climate change. It is vital that we advocate for a clean energy economy at the scale climate science demands, create good union jobs, and support more equitable communities and a more resilient New York.”

Jeff Vockrodt, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY, said, "This second solicitation for 2,500 megawatts of offshore wind power will go a long way toward advancing New York’s ambitious offshore wind plan, and investing in our ports is crucial to securing New York’s role in the offshore wind supply chain. We’re also thrilled to see today’s large-scale renewables announcement, with prevailing wage requirements that will contribute to the high quality and success of these projects and ensure good jobs as New York recovers from the current economic crisis. It's great to see our state taking bold action to protect our planet and move New York's economy forward.”

ABOUT CLIMATE JOBS NY
Climate Jobs NY (CJNY) is a growing coalition of labor unions—representing more than 2.6 million working New Yorkers—united to combat climate change and reverse inequality. CJNY’s mission is to advocate for a clean energy economy at the scale climate science demands, create good union jobs, and support more equitable communities and a more resilient New York. CJNY’s members include the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, the New York State AFL-CIO, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the Long Island Federation of Labor, Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Third District, the United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters in New York State, 32BJ SEIU, the New York State Nurses Association, Laborers International Union Local 79, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, AFSCME District Council 37, the Transport Workers Union of America, and Transport Workers Union Local 100.
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