On the East End, a significant day for green energy in America occurred.
Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement about South Fork Wind’s completion at the Southampton campus of Stony Brook University.
The first utility-scale offshore wind farm in federal waters, South Fork Wind is expected to provide electricity to 70,000 homes on Long Island.
With twelve turbines, the offshore wind farm is situated 35 miles off the coast of Montauk.
The South Fork Wind website reports that the project has created 1,000 employment, both temporary and permanent, across five states.
Over a 25-year period, South Fork Wind will prevent 6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and provide electricity to 70,000 families on Long Island.
The Commercial Fishing Association of Long Island was worried about the risks that cables from the site would pose to boats. Additionally, some fishermen have claimed that they need to get payment for any lost fishing grounds.
Since December, the farm has been producing sustainable energy for the Long Island grid.
According to LIPA, Long Islanders are footing the tab for the project, with an expected 1.27 percent rise in energy rates starting in January.