Burke-Gonzalez: The first in New York to harness the power of offshore wind

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It takes courage to be the first community in New York to bring ashore the power of offshore wind. It also takes vision to be the first. Vision powered by the understanding of what is at stake for our vulnerable coastal community. A community already experiencing the brunt of climate change–rising sea levels, increased water temperatures, and no-named storms eroding shorelines, degrading our dunes and bluffs, and causing destructive flooding in our neighborhoods.

The science couldn’t be clearer. We have until 2030 to cut fossil fuel emissions in half–or risk a future of runaway climate change. Yet with our huge fluctuations in population, which triples during the summer months, we find ourselves placing tremendous stress on an electric grid powered by dirty fossil fuels. With higher temperatures due to climate change, heat waves will strike more frequently, last longer and become more intense, creating an even greater demand for electricity not only in East Hampton, but across Long Island.

When PSEG Long Island selected the renewable energy solution of offshore wind power to meet the growing electricity demands of Long Island’s South Fork, that decision set in motion a rigorous community engagement effort by Ørsted, the project developer. The folks at Ørsted utilized every means available–newspaper, direct mail, webinars, open houses, community forums, and town meetings–to educate residents and the fishing industry, all so that those who had concerns could have their questions addressed.

Still misinformation and a well-funded opposition flooded our community. So, the question remained: How do we flip the script and inform residents of the benefits of this incredible opportunity? The answer for us was ‘Win with Wind,’ a group of local citizen advocates for offshore wind that provided fact-based information regarding the benefits of renewable offshore wind energy. Win with Wind joined forces with regional environmental organizations and Long Island labor unions and created a powerful movement.

Now, with the South Fork Wind Farm fully online, we have begun the transition to a clean energy economy, all while creating good-paying jobs. The South Fork Wind Farm powers 70,000 households ensuring a renewable and stable power supply across Long Island. The Town of East Hampton is set to receive a community benefits package totaling $28 million to fund projects that will increase the town’s sustainability and our residents’ well-being. Additionally, the project created over 1,000 union jobs for New York and utilized local companies to do the work, opening the door to a better life for us all.

Although there were some inconveniences along the way, such as temporary disruptions in neighborhoods where construction was occurring, there was always an open line of communication and constant updates. These minor, short-term disruptions were far outweighed by the project’s benefits—clean, reliable and affordable energy for generations to come. How many communities here on Long Island can say that they are helping to lead the way in sustainability and reversing the effects of climate change?

More offshore wind farms are necessary to generate reliable and renewable power for New York. These projects are a powerful way of generating electricity, and unlike some alternatives, it doesn’t pollute the air we breathe. Plus, it expands job opportunities. Should your community want to make the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable future and create more good paying jobs, we are ready to be a resource.

Let’s flip the switch to start powering our lives and our economies with offshore wind.

Kathee Burke-Gonzalez serves as supervisor of the Town of East Hampton.