Joe Martens, the former commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is joining the New York Offshore Wind Alliance as its new director.
Martens’ appointment comes as the state works to implement Governor Cuomo’s goal to have 50% of New York’s power generated by renewable energy sources by 2030.
In his 2016 State of the State address, Governor Cuomo directed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop an Offshore Wind Master Plan to advance projects that could power more than 1.25 million homes on Long Island and New York City.
NYSERDA is expected to release a procurement plan that outlines options for purchasing offshore wind energy this summer and complete the Master Plan by the end of this year.
This Offshore Wind Master Plan should create a roadmap for how New York State can take advantage of the strong winds far off the coast of Long Island and at the same time protect coastal and marine wildlife and preserve existing offshore industries and activities.
“Offshore wind is the wave of the future and New York is poised to lead the nation in its development. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help realize this vision and see New York reap the economic, environmental and public health benefits of offshore wind,” said Martens , who will start with the Alliance on August 7.
He succeeds Liz Gordon, who is leaving the Offshore Wind Alliance to rejoin New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office as Executive Director of Corporate Governance.