New York Takes Another Step Toward Building the Largest Offshore Wind Farm in the Country

Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature set an ambitious goal for New York: by the year 2040, the state would be 100 percent reliant on renewable energy.

But, of course, that's easier said than done. While it will take years to develop the road map for getting the state to that point, New York has taken a step forward this week by officially awarding contracts for what will become the largest offshore wind farm in the United States.

The two plots are located in federal waters: one about 14 miles off Queens and Long Island, and the other about 30 miles east of Montauk. Each one will have up to 50, 800-foot-tall windmills apiece, though more are planned for later phases. As WNYC reporter Fred Mogul tells host Jami Floyd, the ultimate goal is to construct hundreds of windmills that will generate about 9,000 megawatts of electricity—enough to power 1 million homes. But that won't come cheap.

"Wind is still somewhat expensive to produce. It's coming way down in cost, but it does still need a subsidy," Mogul said.

The state plans to spend $2.2 billion over 25 years to help lower the costs to rate-payers. 

For the full conversation, click "Listen."