Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series: The Challenges and Benefits of New York State’s Offshore Wind Energy Program

ABSTRACT

In 2019, New York State passed the most ambitious clean energy goals in the nation with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050, 100% emissions free electricity generation by 2040, and net-zero emissions economy wide by 2050. As part of these goals, New York State has pledged to deliver 9,000 megawatts (MWs) of offshore wind energy by 2035 to downstate New York. Once constructed, the very nature of offshore wind energy delivers sustainable, clean energy sufficient to power significant regions of New York.

The mission to deliver long-term sustainable offshore wind energy can provide broad economic, environmental, human health, affordable energy and climate related benefits to the region. However, since offshore wind energy industry is brand new to the U.S., an entire supply chain supported by ports must be established ahead of time and a complete network of appropriate planning firms, engineering firms, contractors and developers must be committed to delivering the proposed offshore wind projects. These industry challenges and applied solutions will be reviewed as well as the benefits to communities during construction and operations of the offshore wind projects.

BIOGRAPHY

Joshua Gillespie is an environmental services manager with 26 years of experience conducting environmental assessment and compliance for a diverse range of large-scale projects, including energy/power, highway/bridge, transit/rail, and facilities development. Mr. Gillespie obtained his BS in Environmental Science and Forest Biology at SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry at Syracuse University.

Mr. Gillespie is currently working under contract for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to support the State’s Offshore Wind Program in various capacities, including study of the supply chain opportunities; stakeholder and community engagement; and identifying potential offshore wind ports manufacturing permitting, construction, manufacturing and fabrication, staging and assembly, operations and maintenance opportunities. Mr. Gillespie has also led the environmental compliance for some of the largest regional projects, including the Tappan Zee Bridge Project, Bayonne Bridge Project, and Amtrak/NJ TRANSIT Access to Region’s Core (ARC - now “Gateway”) Project and the No. 7 Subway Extension - Hudson Yards Rezoning Program EIS. He also leads NEPA/SEQRA/CEQR and manages the federal, state, and local permitting process for natural resource projects, including wetlands, waterways, coastal zones, navigation issues, riparian land, and endangered species.

At HDR, Mr. Gillespie is the Environmental Sciences & Planning NY & NJ Lead and contributor of the HDR’s Sustainability Practice Group. Mr. Gillespie has been a guest lecturer at Stevens Institute’s Environmental Law and Management, and Environmental Assessment courses.

Zoom Link:

https://stevens.zoom.us/j/93829898400

Website:

https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series

Jointly Sponsored by:

HUGO NEU Corporation
WSP
NOMADICS
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Dewberry
HDR

Contact:

Dr. Dibs Sarkar