NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Queens Electeds Letter to the Governor Regarding the Queensboro Renewable Express

The Honorable Kathy Hochul 
Governor of New York State 
NYS State Capitol Building 
Albany, NY 12224 

Cc:  Hon. Rory M. Christian, Chair and CEO, New York State Public Service Commission 

Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary to the Commission, New York State Public Service Commission  

Re:  Queensboro Renewable Express  

Dear Governor Kathy Hochul, 

Following reporting that state regulators are demanding a justification for the Queensboro Renewable Express’ offshore wind transmission plan, we, the undersigned, urge you in the strongest terms to ensure that the State does not impede approval of this critical project. The Queensboro Renewable Express is a vital component of the Renewable Ravenswood plan, which would transition New York City’s largest fossil fuel-powered plant, the Ravenswood Generating Station, into a 100% clean energy hub that can deliver affordable, reliable energy to New York City for generations. Derailing the Queensboro Renewable Express would imperil the entirety of the vision, forcing everyday New Yorkers to pay for increasingly expensive and volatile energy and making it harder for the State to reach its climate objectives as required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). 

Renewable Ravenswood has broad support from a variety of stakeholders, including partners across the local community, government, industry, and finance who have worked in concert for years to ensure the project utilizes existing state infrastructure, has minimal impact on the surrounding communities, and benefits all New Yorkers. As a result, Queensboro Renewable Express and the broader Renewable Ravenswood project are together one of the most mature clean energy projects in the State. In July 2024, the Public Service Commission (PSC) held an Article VII hearing for the next approval of the Queensboro Renewable Express that notably received positive testimony from a variety of stakeholders and, importantly, no negative community pushback. 

The State’s recent regulatory motions pertaining to the Queensboro Renewable Express, which is awaiting final approval for development, is a clear sign that regulators are considering preemptively capitulating to the federal government’s hostile attitude towards clean energy and rejecting this project over concerns about the future viability of Renewable Ravenswood. Demands from the PSC to justify this project are entirely unwarranted and break from existing precedent set by the state regarding partial approval of infrastructure projects like this.  

Simply put, New York cannot meet its climate obligations without this project. Once completed, the project is expected to deliver over 25% of the renewable energy that New York State is required to deliver from offshore wind power, essential to achieving 100% emission-free electricity by 2040 as required by state law. The project will also enable cheaper, more affordable energy as the price of fossil fuel-powered energy becomes increasingly costly for New Yorkers. Any actions from the PSC to delay or derail this plan will jeopardize billions in committed investment to New York State, threaten thousands of union jobs, and imperil our ability to deliver climate and environmental justice to Queens residents who have long borne the brunt of harmful energy policies and siting.  

It is incumbent on states like New York to lead and not preemptively capitulate to the latest whims of the current federal administration. Reaching the State’s goal of 100% emission-free electricity by 2040 laid out by the CLCPA is a long-game requiring advanced planning and groundwork now. We have come a long way through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identifying and leasing areas in Federal waters suitable for offshore wind development through the States. Renewable Ravenswood represents the future of New York energy, and failing to approve it will jeopardize billions of dollars and thousands of jobs. 

We appreciate your leadership. You have not capitulated on congestion pricing or sanctuary policies, and we urge you to keep up the momentum on renewable energy in New York. Thank you for your consideration of this matter, and we look forward to working with your administration on behalf of the millions of New Yorkers who will benefit from this project. 

Sincerely, 

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senators Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, and Jessica Ramos, Assemblymembers Rebecca Seawright, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Zohran Mamdani, and Claire Valdez, and NYC Councilmember Julie Won