By Hank Russell
After much consideration, a wind energy company has decided to withdraw its application for a proposed offshore wind farm off the coast of Long Beach.
Equinor, a Norwegian-based firm, notified the state that it is pulling its application for a certificate of environmental compatibility for the Empire Wind 2 project. In a letter obtained by Long Island Life & Politics, Paul J. Corey, an attorney representing Equinor for the project, notified New York State Public Service Commissioner Michelle L. Phillips that the application has been withdrawn.
This special application would have allowed the company to construct approximately 12 miles of transmission lines from the water into the City of Long Beach. This was a major requirement to have the wind farm built. The project, according to the company, would have a generative capacity of 1,260 megawatts.
U.S. Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who represents the area where the project would have been built, said he was “pleased” with the company’s decision. In the past, the congressman has accused Equinor of attempting to push the project through without soliciting community input.
“From start to finish, Equinor refused to engage in good faith with the South Shore communities I represent,” D’Esposito said. “I will proudly continue standing shoulder to shoulder with neighbors who oppose the implementation of such a massive, terrain altering project without proper community buy-in.”
LILP also reached out to Equinor for comment. Equinor spokesperson David Schoetz said the withdrawal of the application for Empire Wind 2 is part of a broader commercial reset and the company is assessing all potential offtake opportunities. He also noted that Equinor will continue to work with local communities as well as state and federal partners as it has done in the past since acquiring the lease area.
“Equinor is committed to the development of the Empire Wind 2 lease area in line with our strategy for achieving profitable growth in renewables and helping New York meet its climate ambitions,” Schoetz said in a statement. “We will continue to assess future offtake opportunities for Empire Wind 2 as we work to deliver Empire Wind 1 and the revitalization of the South Brooklyn Terminal to New York.”
LILP also reached out to the City of Long Beach and is waiting to hear back.