BILL NUMBER: S5498
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to a pilot project in furtherance of climate leader-
ship and community protection act clean energy standards in Lake Erie
and establishing standards for wind energy procured therefrom
 
PURPOSE:
Provides for a pilot solicitation of climate leadership and community
protection act projects relating to wind energy in Lake Erie and
requirements therefor.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 states the legislative findings and intent.
Section 2 authorizes the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) to issue a solicitation for the procurement of up to
two hundred megawatts of offshore wind renewable energy certificates
(ORECs) generated by an offshore wind farm located in Lake Erie. All
other state agencies, including but not limited to the Office of general
services, are directed to make any necessary efforts to support the
project. Additionally, the section establishes rules and time frames for
the procurement and development of the project.
Section 3 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation moves beyond the offshore projects off the coastline of
our oceans, into the new frontier of the Great Lakes. In March 2023, the
Biden White House announced its ambitious goal of harnessing the power
of the Great Lakes. Without the wind resources of the Great Lakes, the
United States will never meet its climate goals nor sever reliance on
other countries' traditional fossil fuel production. This legislation
developed as a direct result of that goal.
The unique wind conditions of the Great Lakes make wind an ideal source
of clean energy for New York State. Feasibility studies by both the
federal government and private industry have already taken place. The
National Renewable Energy Lab report concluded that New York Great Lakes
offshore wind is technically and economically feasible and the cost is
on par with offshore wind in the Atlantic. Similar size projects in
Europe have already demonstrated no negative impacts on drinking water,
and recreational and sports fishing.
This pilot also has the potential to transform New York's economy. This
legislation will particularly revitalize the Western New York region.
Currently, Western New York is paying for offshore wind in the downstate
region, but getting almost none of the jobs. This pilot will create
clean, generational employment opportunities in the region.
This would be a historic moment for New York. The state has the opportu-
nity to create countless jobs and generate industry investment while
simultaneously moving closer to reaching the goals set by the CLCPA.
This legislation will bring New York State into a new era of energy
independence.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S7035 - Died in Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.