A physical rendering of the new Ravenswood generating station, which will use power generated from an offshore wind farm to power homes across the city.
By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com
RISE Light & Power submitted a proposal to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to fund the waterfront at the Ravenswood Generating Station, which is tied to the Renewable Ravenswood Project.
RISE Light & Power is working on the Renewable Ravenswood Project and the Queensboro Renewable Express, which will transform the fossil fuel energy plants into a wind-powered energy hub. However, this proposal is to revitalize the ports on the waterfront for the necessary vessels to maintain the wind farm and generating station. The port already exists, but the funding will lead to necessary renovations.
Also in the proposal is a joint project with the Oceantic Network, an organization that focuses on using offshore wind power in supply chains. The unique partnership will provide mentorship and business attraction to the Long Island City Industrial Business Zone. Laura Rothrock, President of Long Island City Partnership, said that she looks forward to collaborating with RISE to bring green energy to local businesses.
The Renewable Ravenswood project overall will also employ people who live in the NYCHA complexes around the generating station. The station has been a historical source of pollution and contributed to high asthma rates in the area deemed “asthma alley.” Wil Fisher, director of external affairs at RISE, said that the upcoming wind farm will create union jobs and empower NYCHA residents.
“It’s a value for us to have a big pool of talent right across the street,” Fisher said.
Fisher said that he expects to get a response from NYSERDA by the fourth quarter of this year.
