Blown Away: Brakes Put On Proposed Offshore Wind Turbine Project

NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. - State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Assemblyman Ari Brown joined with their fellow Long Islanders today celebrating Governor Kathy Hochul’s recently announced veto of “The Planned Offshore Wind Transmission Act” (S.6218A/A.7764), a partisan bill pushed through by the Democratic majority in the final days of the 2023 Legislative Session.  

Senator Canzoneri-Fitpzatrick, Assemblyman Brown, and Congressman D’Esposito have collectively helped lead the charge, in coordination with local residents, against the deeply unpopular development and have applauded today’s delightful news.

The now vetoed legislation, backed by senators and assemblymembers in New York City, aimed to silence the City of Long Beach’s and Nassau County’s voices as thousands of residents who have expressed concerns and objections to the proposed offshore wind turbines. New York’s Home Rule Procedure, a hallmark of local government, would have been bypassed to allow Equinor to move forward with land-based transmission cables as well as an electrical substation through residential communities and through designated parkland.  

“This is a major win for Long Island’s South Shore residents and I thank all of them who have consistently raised awareness about this issue in conversations and community forums,” said Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.  “Governor Hochul's veto demonstrates that our residents' voices have been heard loudly. Equinor's poor business practices, lack of transparency, and blatant disregard for the democratic process have consequences. While I support New York State's pursuit of a cleaner and more diversified energy future, it must be achieved in a way that minimizes the burdens on ratepayers and the impacts on local communities. It has become evident that this project would fail to accomplish either of these goals. I want to thank Governor Hochul for attentively considering the concerns of our residents."

"Through unwavering perseverance and grassroots determination, we witnessed the triumph of David over Goliath. Our gratitude to Governor Hochul for not only listening to us but also to the resolute voices of the people of Long Island." said Assemblyman Ari Brown.

"I have been working extremely closely with South Shore community members and colleagues in government to rally against Equinor's proposed Empire 2 offshore wind project, and I am pleased to learn Governor Hochul heard our calls and vetoed legislation that would have advanced this large scale development.  Equinor's attempt to bypass Long Islanders' overwhelming opposition to the project by utilizing state legislators from New York City to force their corporate endorsed legislation on Nassau County was shameful. I am grateful Governor Hochul has listened to Long Islanders this time, but the fight to preserve our South Shore from Equinor's corporate greed will continue," said Congressman Anthony D’Esposito.

This veto comes on the heels of the NYS Public Service Commission unanimously, at the urging of Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assemblyman Brown, and Congressman D’Esposito, denying Equinor a rate increase of over 30% before the project even began.  

With the 2024 State Legislative session beginning in less than three months, Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Assemblyman Brown have pledged to remain vigilant to protect the rights of Nassau County’s South Shore residents.

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