About Us

About This Effort

The 2018 Offshore Wind Master Plan for New York included the development of collaborative, science-focused Technical Working Groups to advise the State about offshore wind energy development. The five Technical Working Groups (TWGs) focus on 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.

 

As defined in the Plan, the Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) advises the State about “measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate anticipated impacts on wildlife during offshore wind energy development activities,” including:

• Development of wildlife best management practices

• Identification of research needs and coordination

• Multi-agency coordination for adaptive management

• Creation of a framework for an environmental conservation fund

 

The E-TWG meets up to four times annually. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and other state agencies provide the E-TWG with oversight and direction, and use group recommendations and discussions to inform decision-making. See the E-TWG Charter for more information.

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The Fisheries Technical Working Group (F-TWG) is working to enhance coordination and communication between the fishing community and the offshore wind industry, to disseminate information regarding existing data, and to support scientific and technical research. Visit the F-TWG website to learn more.

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April 12, 2023: Paper published on the TWGs: "Effective Stakeholder Engagement for Offshore Wind Energy Development: The State of New York's Fisheries and Environmental Technical Working Groups"

A new paper has been published on the Fisheries Technical Working Group and Environment Technical Working Group (F-TWG and E-TWG; collectively, “the TWGs”). Read the paper here.

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The Environmental Justice Technical Working Group (EJ-TWG) directly engages 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. Visit the EJ-TWG website to learn more.