Clean Energy Link to Deliver Renewable, Reliable and Affordable Energy for Long Island
Huntington, NY (October 24, 2016) – Invenergy, the nation’s leading independent developer of renewable energyprojects, today announced the largest renewable project ever proposed for Long Island. Theproject, Clean Energy Link, consists of four new wind and two new solar farms located withinthe 12-state PJM regional power market, with a combined capacity exceeding 700 megawatts.All the renewable energy from these projects will be joined into a single portfolio and deliveredto Long Island from PJM via a new buried HVDC transmission line, ending at a net-zeroconverter station on Long Island.
The wind and solar projects will be built across more than 55,000 acres in rural areas in multiplestates where land is less expensive and more readily available. This innovative portfolioapproach provides economies of scale and unprecedented diversification in technology andgeography that will deliver residents of Long Island reliable, clean renewable power at thelowest cost possible.
Invenergy is offering the Clean Energy Link in response to Governor Cuomo’s 50 by 30 goal –securing 50 percent of the State’s energy from renewables by 2030 – and his decision to makethat goal binding across New York. With that mandate, the State must develop, deploy andimport renewable energy in greater quantities, over shorter time periods, than it has ever donebefore.
The Clean Energy Link will triple Long Island’s renewable resources portfolio. The project willmove Nassau and Suffolk from 3 percent in 2015 to more than 10 percent when its power begins to reach Long Island in late 2020 — an important first step to begin to meet theGovernor’s Clean Energy Standard.
“We’re here today because of Governor Cuomo’s commitment to the environment and tosecuring electricity from renewables at an unprecedented scale,” said Michael Polsky,Invenergy’s founder and CEO. “Innovation is in our DNA and we answered his call for newthinking. This portfolio approach is unique and offers renewables at a scale that makes adifference and at a price people can afford. Pairing renewable energy with new dedicatedtransmission will bring low cost wind and solar energy to where it is needed in denselypopulated areas such as Long Island and New England.”
Kevin Law, the CEO of the Long Island Association, noted that “Long Island and all of New Yorkneed out-of-the-box thinking to meet the challenge of 50 by 30. I applaud Invenergy’sinnovative portfolio approach and all projects that can bring renewable energy to Long Island ataffordable prices.”
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone added, “This approach balances our need to be a leaderin supporting clean energy to tackle climate change which threatens our coastlines andovercomes the challenges of producing large scale renewable power on Long Island."
“There is a clear understanding amongst Long Islanders that we need more green energysources,” said Dick Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. “This hasbeen a priority for nearly a decade, but a persistent challenge given Long Island’s limited openspace. Now Long Islanders can access renewable energy while preserving our open space. It’s awin-win.”
“Long Island has never had an opportunity like the Clean Energy Link. In a single stroke, theClean Energy Link will more than triple the green energy supply to Long Island,” said MarciaBystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “It’s a big step forward forLong Island and means we can stop talking about meeting the Governor’s 50 by 30 and beginactually achieving it.”
Neal Lewis, executive director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College said, “Cleanenergy is our future, and the Clean Energy Link is certainly something to move forward on. IfLong Island is going to meet the Governors 50 by 30 mandate, massive amounts of renewableenergy are needed. In addition to roof-top solar and on-island solar farms, projects like theClean Energy Link and off-shore wind must move forward. We must seriously consider allrenewable options if we are going to have a clean energy future."
Assemblyman Steve Englebright added, “Long Island is determined to protect our environment,and Governor Cuomo’s 50 by 30 mandate is the vehicle that ensures innovative methods forsecuring renewable energy is a part of the equation. Long Islanders have long sought cleanenergy via wind and solar projects, but the proposal by Invenergy allows us to make asignificant step forward without sacrificing open space as a consequence.”
“Building the Clean Energy Link is the most affordable way to quickly bring new renewableenergy to Long Island,” said Dick O’Kane, president of the Nassau-Suffolk Building andConstruction Trades Council. “The Clean Energy Link will put Long Islanders to work to providethe region with affordable and reliable clean energy.”
Assemblyman Dean Murray stated, “The Clean Energy Link demonstrates what the privatesector can do, in conjunction with government efforts, to deliver affordable, reliable and cleanenergy for Long Island. It’s a win for my constituents and residents all throughout Long Island.”
“The scale of these projects show what the private sector can do when given the rightincentives,” said Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci. “An approach that provides affordablerenewable energy for families and business, and keeps Long Island competitive, is a win-win."
Sammy Chu, Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter said, “The CleanEnergy Link is an important step forward for Long Island. It ensures a more sustainable energyfuture, and its innovative net-zero converter station is a great example of the type ofresponsible development that Long Island needs.”
DuWayne Gregory, presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature added, “A project like theClean Energy Link is long overdue for Long Island. This important effort will bring clean energyat an affordable price, and at a scale that makes a difference for the environment.”
“All across Long Island there are people calling out for more renewable energy,” stated LisaTyson, director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition. “It is important that we evaluate andbuild all feasible renewable projects to achieve the Governor’s 50% renewable energymandate.”
Lucas Sanchez, Long Island director for New York Communities for Change said, “The CleanEnergy Link offers access to renewable energy at a more affordable price to ratepayers thanany other project can offer. Steps like these help offset the dangerous effects of climate changeby reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.”
Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams added, “The Clean Energy Link brings Long Islandcloser to meeting Governor Cuomo’s 50 by 30 mandate, while also preserving Nassau County’sopen space. It’s a win-win for both the community and the environment.”
“It’s encouraging to see examples where government and the private sector can come togetherto meet the demanding challenges our community faces. Providing the technology and accessto clean, renewable energy at scale is milestone for Nassau County,” said Nassau CountyLegislator Carrié Solages.
“Increasing investments in renewables to fight climate change is a commitment we takeseriously in Suffolk County,” said Richard Schaffer, Babylon town supervisor. “We look forwardto working with Invenergy on this project to make Governor Cuomo’s 50 by 30 vision a reality.”
Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said, “The Clean Energy Link project is an excitingopportunity to help address Long Island’s future energy needs and fulfill Governor Cuomo’sambitious mandate of having 50 percent of the state’s energy come from renewable sources bythe year 2030. Long Island ratepayers, and our environment, should benefit from this projectbecoming part of the area’s energy mix.”
More on Invenergy:Invenergy drives innovation in energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own, and operatelarge-scale renewable and other clean energy generation and storage facilities in the Americas, andEurope. Invenergy built and currently operates three wind farms in upstate New York. Invenergyrecently received a unanimous approval from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) for a powerpurchase agreement for its proposed 24.9 MW Shoreham Solar Commons facility in the town ofBrookhaven in Long Island, New York.
Invenergy and its affiliated companies have developed more than 13,700 MW of projects thatare in operation, construction or advanced development, including wind, solar, natural gas-fueled power generation and energy storage projects. Invenergy's home office is located inChicago and it has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japanand Europe.