NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill on Friday that would have supported offshore wind energy developments in New York.
Originally approved during a Special Session in June by the Assembly, the legislation aimed to greenlight the “Empire Wind Two” initiative located near Jones Beach off Long Island. The bill also projected the creation of approximately 500 manufacturing jobs at the Port of Albany.
The bill had received favorable attention from federal legislators, who toured the Port of Albany in July.
However, the legislation met with opposition from Republicans, who raised concerns about environmental and health risks, as well as the potential for declining property values in affected neighborhoods.
The veto puts the continuation of the “Empire Wind Two” project and similar efforts into question.
Local officials thanked the governor for the veto after months of protesting the line through the seaside area.
Clean Energy advocates were not happy.
“Governor Hochul must get serious about reaching 70% clean energy by 2030. Today, she dealt a significant blow to the state’s own goals by vetoing legislation that would allow a local government to negotiate for itself in seeking the delivery of clean, affordable power generated by offshore wind. New York is coming dangerously close to serving a death knell for the promise of offshore wind development in the region,” said CP Director of Eastern Region State Affairs Moira Cyphers. “We urge Governor Hochul to support this critical industry and the thousands of jobs it will create with real action. She must put New York back on track to developing these critical clean energy projects and living up to the state’s promise of being a clean energy leader.”
