Wind Energy Could Reduce Pollution By Nine Coal Plants in New York

New York, NY -- The carbon pollution from approximately nine coal plants could be eliminated in New York if wind power supplied 30 percent of the nation's electricity needs, according to a new analysis by Environment New York. The analysis comes just as Congress considers whether to renew tax credits critical to wind development.

"Wind power can replace the dirty energy sources of the past and the pollution that comes with them," said Heather Leibowitz, director of Environment New York. "But we need to act now to ensure a clean energy future."

If development of wind energy continues, the renewable resource could supply 30 percent of the nation's electricity by 2030, providing more than enough carbon reductions to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Power Plan.

In 2013, wind power projects in Upstate and Western New York already produced enough energy to power 326,380 homes. The analysis predicts that offshore wind will expand in New York over the next 15 years, producing power for 5,350,226 million homes.

The report, More Wind, Less Warming, comes two weeks before the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) makes a decision on a proposal submitted by Deepwater Wind Inc. for an offshore wind farm, 30 miles from Montauk Point off the eastern tip of the south shore of Long Island.