Touting Economic Benefits of Wind Power – The East Hampton Star

Report on the Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of Offshore Wind Development in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 13: Climate Action

The development of offshore wind energy on the Eastern Seaboard is making significant contributions to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and combating climate change.

• The South Fork Wind farm, the nation’s first commercial-scale project, has been operational for over a year and is reportedly performing above expectations in energy output.
• This single project provides clean, renewable electricity for approximately 70,000 homes on Long Island, directly advancing the transition away from fossil fuels.
• Future projects, including Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind, are set to further expand this capacity, contributing to a more resilient and diverse power portfolio necessary to meet increased energy demands and mitigate the impacts of severe weather.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The nascent offshore wind industry is fostering sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, creating full and productive employment and decent work for all.

• The industry has generated a significant number of union jobs, with 400 members transitioning from the South Fork to the Sunrise Wind project and eleven unions currently working on the latter.
• Economic benefits extend throughout the local supply chain, supporting an estimated 840 local businesses, the majority of which are located within a 20-mile radius of the projects.
• This “windustry” is establishing long-term, local career paths with transferable skills, reducing the need for foreign labor and creating opportunities for travel or local employment.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Investment in offshore wind is building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation in the domestic energy sector.

• The construction of large-scale wind farms represents a major investment in modern, sustainable energy infrastructure.
• These projects necessitate a concurrent strengthening of the existing power grid, which in turn creates more jobs and enhances energy security.
• The industry is stimulating domestic manufacturing, with key components such as substations and service operation vessels like the ECO Liberty being built in the United States, supporting businesses and workers across multiple states.

SDG 4: Quality Education and Workforce Development

A robust ecosystem of training and education programs is being established to ensure an inclusive and equitable pipeline of skilled workers for the renewable energy sector.

1. Formal Training and Certification Institutions:

   • The National Offshore Wind Training Center at Suffolk Community College provides essential certifications for offshore work.
   • SUNY Maritime College is a key supplier of the workforce for maritime operations, with its graduates crewing entire vessels for the Empire Wind project.
   • Kingsborough Community College offers a “Bridges to Offshore Wind” program, creating accessible entry points into the industry.

2. Career Pathways and Resources:

   • Pre-apprenticeship programs, such as “Opportunities on Long Island,” provide direct-entry pathways into building and construction trades.
   • Internships and apprenticeships are available for high school graduates and those pursuing higher education in fields like construction management, engineering, and software development.
   • The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) maintains a comprehensive website and business portal detailing available training programs and supply chain opportunities.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Initial environmental assessments indicate that offshore wind development can coexist with and even support the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

• Post-construction monitoring at the South Fork Wind farm site has shown positive ecological outcomes.
• Reports indicate that the benthic region at the ocean’s bottom has completely recovered following the installation of the turbines.
• The area is now described as thriving, with a wide variety of fish and shellfish having returned, demonstrating the potential for marine ecosystem resilience.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article’s central theme is the development and operation of the South Fork Wind farm, a renewable energy project. It explicitly states the farm is “producing enough electricity for 70,000 homes on Long Island,” directly addressing the goal of increasing access to clean energy.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article extensively discusses the economic benefits and job creation resulting from the offshore wind industry. It mentions the creation of “union jobs,” the employment of “400 of your neighbors,” and the growth of “840 local businesses,” all of which contribute to sustainable economic growth and decent work.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The construction of large-scale wind farms like South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind represents a significant investment in new, sustainable infrastructure. The article also highlights innovation within the industry (the “windustry”) and the need to “strengthen the current grid,” which aligns with building resilient infrastructure.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article details the need for a skilled workforce and highlights several educational and training initiatives. It mentions the “National Offshore Wind Training Center,” “SUNY Maritime,” and various “apprenticeship” and “pre-apprenticeship” programs designed to prepare the next generation for careers in renewable energy.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • By promoting a large-scale shift from “fossil fuel-derived energy” to wind power, the article addresses a key strategy for climate change mitigation. The mention of a “rise in severe weather situations” as a reason for diversifying the power portfolio implicitly links the project to climate action.
6. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article directly addresses the marine environmental impact of the wind farm. It states that the “benthic region at the ocean’s bottom… has completely recovered and has a wide variety of fish and shellfish that have returned to that area,” indicating a focus on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The entire article focuses on the successful implementation and expansion of offshore wind power, a key renewable energy source, contributing directly to this target.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article describes the creation of a new “windustry” in New York, which represents economic diversification and technological upgrading in the energy sector.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The article’s emphasis on creating “union jobs,” local careers, and supporting hundreds of local businesses directly relates to achieving productive employment.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The construction of offshore wind farms and the simultaneous need to “strengthen the current grid” are clear examples of developing sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article’s detailed description of training centers, college programs (SUNY Maritime), and apprenticeships directly supports this target by preparing a workforce with the necessary skills for the new industry.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The state-level decision to invest in a “pipeline of projects” for offshore wind is a clear example of integrating climate change mitigation strategies into regional planning.
6. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The article’s positive report on the recovery of the benthic region, with the return of fish and shellfish, suggests that the project is being managed in a way that aligns with protecting marine ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 7 (Target 7.2):
   • Indicator: Renewable energy generation capacity. The article provides a specific measure: the South Fork Wind farm produces “enough electricity for 70,000 homes.”
2. For SDG 8 (Target 8.5):
   • Indicator: Number of jobs created in the green economy. The article provides several data points: “400” union members working on projects and “eleven unions” involved in Sunrise Wind.
   • Indicator: Growth of local businesses. The article states that “840 local businesses” have benefited as subcontractors and vendors.
3. For SDG 4 (Target 4.4):
   • Indicator: Number of participants in vocational training programs. While not giving a total number, the article implies this can be measured by mentioning specific institutions like the “National Offshore Wind Training Center” and noting that the “entire crew” of a vessel comes from “SUNY Maritime College.”
4. For SDG 14 (Target 14.2):
   • Indicator: Measures of marine ecosystem health and biodiversity. The article provides a qualitative indicator by stating that the ocean bottom “has completely recovered and has a wide variety of fish and shellfish that have returned to that area.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: easthamptonstar.com