Is windfarming in our future?

From Crains:

Some 20 miles off the coast of the Rockaways, the wind roars on the open ocean with enough force to power a large swath of New York City. And that is just how Clint Plummer likes it.

Deepwater Wind, where Plummer is vice president of development, is a Providence, R.I.-based wind-power company in the business of harnessing that force. The Rockaways are where he aims to build what could become the largest offshore wind farm in the U.S., with turbines that would reach as high as 500 feet and have wingspans wider than three Airbus A380s.

In its first phase, the project could generate enough electricity for a quarter of the state of Delaware. Eventually, it could include 500 turbines or more, with the capacity to produce a quarter of the city’s power.

Although a windmill-powered future may seem far off, it can’t come soon enough for Plummer, who is based in New York. Many of the Northeast’s power plants are at least 40 years old and nearing replacement, creating what Plummer says is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition the power grid from carbon-belching plants to green infrastructure.

Pols still pushing Rockaway wind farm

From the Daily News:

Clean power could come to New York City in the form of a wind farm off the coast of the Rockaways - if the governor acts fast.

The $2 billion- 4 billion project would generate hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs and up to 700 megawatts of power, utility officials said.

Elected officials are concerned that developers will build wind farms elsewhere if New York doesn't issue a request for proposals by early next year.

"If New York does not go forward at an accelerated pace, then the jobs are going to go to other states," said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), chairman of the Assembly's renewable energy subcommittee.

He sent a letter expressing his concerns - signed by more than 40 fellow Assembly members - to Gov. Cuomo this month.

"There's only a certain number of developers, and they're going to have to decide where they're going to get the best bang for their buck," Hevesi said.

The New York Power Authority, along with Con Edison and the Long Island Power Authority, filed an application last Thursday with the federal government to lease ocean space for the plant. It would be located at least 13 miles off- shore.

An official with the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement said yesterday it's unclear when a decision will be made.

Wind farm on the back burner

From NY1:

Fifteen miles off the coast in the Rockaways in Queens, state and city officials once planned to dot the skyline with wind turbines.

First announced in 2008 and endorsed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the massive offshore wind farm was set to start spinning by 2015. Currently, it is sputtering.

Jonathan Foster, the vice chairman of the New York Power Authority, whose chief executive officer just resigned, said the project is not at the top of the agency's priority list.

"At this point, with our leadership somewhat in flux and having also announced two other major projects, the Hudson Transmission Project and also Recharge New York, we've got a full plate," said Foster.

It has been more than a year since the Power Authority got approval to apply for a federal lease on the ocean floor, but they have yet to apply.

The authority also just withdrew a key application with the state's independent power operator.

Offshore wind farm in the works

From the Queens Tribune:

Con Edison is collaborating with the Long Island Power Authority and a handful of public agencies on a wind farm to be located off the coast of Far Rockaway and Nassau County and could be up and running by 2016.

The 80-100 turbines would be located nearly 15 miles offshore, which is beyond the horizon line, said Michael Clendenin, a spokesman for Con Ed.

They are working on a visual simulation of the turbines, as they would appear from the shoreline, said Michael Deering, Vice President for Environmental Affairs for LIPA.

The project would generate 350 megawatts, with the capacity to expand up to 700 megawatts. Each megawatt can power up to 1,000 homes.

The public will have ample opportunity for input, Deering said.

"We're going to speak to the various constituencies, including community groups, environmental groups, the commercial and recreational fisheries folks," he said. "They are important constituencies in this project and we are going to benefit from their input."

There are no offshore wind farms in the U.S., although there are some in Europe.

Bloomberg wants wind farm off Rockaway

From the Daily News:

Mayor Bloomberg toured an enormous set of high-tech windmills anchored miles offshore here - and said Monday he wants to build the same thing off the Rockaways.

"It's pretty hard to find any reason against it," Bloomberg said after donning a bright orange suit and safety gear to see the 91 turbines slowly spinning above the ocean, where they make up the world's largest wind farm, generating 209 megawatts of power.

"We keep talking about green jobs and green energy. Here's a chance to really do something about it," the mayor said. "We think there will be enough interest and developers willing to put money in and actually going and building it."

The city is working with state agencies and utilities on a 700-megawatt set of windmills - more than three times the size of the one he toured. They'd be located about 15 miles off the Rockaways, barely visible from shore. Bloomberg's environmental team believes the farm could be up and running by 2015.

"To see it actually in operation reminds you that this is not science fiction," said Rohit Aggarwala, head of Bloomberg's environmental office, who also took the tour. "It's quite likely we'll see something like that in New York."

Wind turbines kill birds. (We know how much you hate them, though.)

Feasibility study for Rockaway wind farm

From the Times Ledger:

A collaboration between Con Edison and the Long Island Power Authority to discuss the feasibility of constructing a wind farm off the coast of the Rockaways may soon have a large infusion of cash blowing its way, thanks to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside).

Ackerman said $500,000 he requested for the study was included in energy legislation expected to be voted on this week in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The congressman said the money was earmarked to study environmental issues, transmission infrastructure and whether a wind farm would be realistic for the area.