Brooklyn-Built Wind Turbines Could Cut Buildings' Carbon Emissions

Co-op and condo boards are waking up to the challenges presented by the city's sweeping Climate Mobilization Act, including the first deadline to reduce their buildings' carbon emissions by certain levels by 2024 – or pay stiff fines. The next hurdle, in 2030 will be higher. One way for boards to meet their emission reduction goals is by purchasing "clean" energy that comes from renewable sources rather than from the burning of fossil fuels. That brings us to today's good news.

Saying the dawn of robust renewable energy production — and the jobs that come with it — can happen in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is pushing a multi-million dollar investment in offshore wind development via the New York State Energy  Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports. 

The effort would establish a local wind turbine assembly center that would generate more than 1,500 megawatts of clean energy here in the city, positioning New York to play a significant role in the offshore wind supply chain, which could create thousands of jobs across the state. Schumer said it is high time for Brooklyn to be among the New York communities leading the way on environmentally-friendly industrial development and to ensure wind technologies are made in New York. 

“We are here today because opportunity is knocking on Brooklyn’s door, and we want to answer it and help a new era of technology, jobs and clean energy come on through,” Schumer said at a press conference in Brooklyn. “With a little lift, Sunset Park Terminal can positon New York State to manufacture offshore wind technology while leading the way in clean energy. This site is primed to be up and running quickly with the right investment, providing New York a critical foothold in the offshore wind supply chain and its tremendous opportunities for new jobs. This also helps the state because 70% of New York’s electricity has to come from renewable resources by 2030.

The city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is one of 11 ports around the state to be pre-qualified to be considered for up to $200 million in loan and grant funds from NYSERDA. The funds would be matched by private firms looking to build and operate turbines across the metro area.