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Technical Working Groups

 

Offshore wind technology has the potential to provide significant amounts of clean, reliable power to New York and the broader Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Offshore wind energy will be near energy load centers, supporting the transition of our electricity grids away from carbon-emitting generation sources and towards a renewable energy future. This technology has been refined and utilized in European countries for over three decades, and while the U.S. will benefit from the significant expertise developed overseas, we must also recognize the challenges presented by our unique environment, regulatory structure, and existing ocean uses.

Offshore Wind Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

NYSERDA established five Offshore Wind Technical Working Groups (TWGs) in commercial fishing, the environment, maritime commerce, jobs and supply chain, and environmental justice to bring key stakeholder groups together with state and federal regulators and the global offshore wind industry. These working groups tackle some of the most pressing challenges to offshore wind development in the U.S. at a regional scale, helping to inform and shape development practices.

The TWGs (pronounced “twigs”) provide:

 
Technical Working Groups Inputs Technical Working Groups Inputs

Technical Working Groups receive input from key stakeholders, offshore wind developers and suppliers, Federal agencies, regional state agencies, along with technical and facilitation support.

Graphic illustrating Technical Working Group inputs from key constituencies.

 

Fisheries Technical Working Group (F-TWG)

Fishing boat at seaThe F-TWG is an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and comprised of regional commercial fisheries representatives and offshore wind energy developers who provide guidance on how to responsibly implement New York State’s efforts to advance offshore wind energy development in the eastern U.S. Regional state and federal fisheries managers are also engaged in this group to learn from the discussions, provide technical experience and assist with coordination.

The F-TWG provides a forum for stakeholder discussions and advises the State on how to develop offshore wind energy in a way that protects the State’s and region’s valuable fisheries and fishing communities by

Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG)

Whale breaching oceanThe E-TWG is an independent advisory body to the State of New York, led by NYSERDA, with a regional focus on offshore wind and wildlife issues in the eastern U.S. It is comprised of offshore wind developers and science-based environmental non-government organizations (NGOs), as well as regional state and federal wildlife regulatory agencies.

The E-TWG provides a forum for stakeholder discussions and advises the State about measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate anticipated impacts on wildlife during offshore wind energy development activities, including:

For regular updates and resources from the E-TWG, visit nyetwg.com Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page..

Maritime Technical Working Group (M-TWG)

Cargo ship traveling past offshore wind turbines

The M-TWG is an independent advisory body led by New York State Department of State and supported by funding from NYSERDA. The M-TWG is comprised of regional stakeholders in the maritime transportation sector, navigation community, offshore wind developers, as well as state and federal partners such as the United States Coast Guard and the United States Army Corp of Engineers. The group advances New York’s offshore wind development goals by focusing on identifying issues and potential resolutions related to the safe navigation of vessels to and from New York Harbor and areas adjacent to offshore wind project sites during all phases of development. The M-TWG provides a forum for stakeholder discussions and advises the State about:

For regular updates and resources from the M-TWG, visit nymtwg.com Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page..

 

Jobs and Supply Chain Technical Working Group (JSC-TWG)

Crane operator on offshore wind turbineThe JSC-TWG is an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA and focused on advancing workforce development, the broader supply chain, and private development in port infrastructure in New York State. The group is comprised of offshore wind developers, global manufacturers, local economic development stakeholders, academia, and state agencies. The JSC-TWG is engaged in:

Environmental Justice Technical Working Group (EJ-TWG)

The EJ-TWG is an independent advisory body led by NYSERDA to directly engage environmental and climate justice organizations, indigenous nations, offshore wind developers, federal agencies, workforce development organizations, and other environmental justice allies for a just transition and disadvantaged communities who have an inherent interest and ability to develop the offshore wind industry in New York. The EJ-TWG provides a forum for discussion between key parties working on New York offshore wind projects that supports transparency, collaborations, data sharing, advice, and guidance to help steer New York’s efforts in ensuring offshore wind development prioritizes and benefits areas that meet the criteria of disadvantaged communities. Objectives include:

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