Two separate infrastructure announcements in vastly different regions of the state on Thursday are meant to help New York make its broader transition to more renewable and cleaner forms of energy in the coming years. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul in Suffolk County on Long Island announced the state had sealed a land transfer with the county to bring the National Offshore Wind Training Center to New York. At the same time, Hochul announced a $9 million competitive program through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to expand jobs in the sector. 

“New York is leading the charge for the clean energy revolution,” Gov. Hochul said. “We are partnering with innovative, industry leading companies and spearheading billions in public and private investments to spur economic development and good-paying jobs for New Yorkers. The national Offshore Wind Training Center will enhance our efforts to prepare our workforce for the green jobs of the future, support the physical infrastructure needed for these clean energy projects, and solidify New York’s role as a global leader in this powerhouse industry.”

Meanwhile, outside Schenectady, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado was on hand to cheer progress on a planned 93-mile transmission line that is part of a project connecting Marcy in Oneida County to New Scotland in Albany County. The project is meant to boost clean energy transmission along a congested corridor of the state. 

All told, the project is meant to increase power transfer capacity as the state makes the clean energy transition. 

“We’ve reached an exciting milestone in our transition to clean energy with the completion of the new state-of-the-art substation at Gordon Road in Rotterdam,” Delgado said. “Transmission infrastructure is a critically important element of our clean energy future and this project will ultimately help power New York’s homes and businesses across the state when fully completed.”

The line first began construction February 2021 to upgrade capacity between the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. 

New York needs to make significant infrastructure upgrades in the coming years in order to meet its climate goals and the targets. That will mean a significant boost in renewable energy. 

The state is planning to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.