Tonko Cheers Biden Administration Clean Energy Initiatives

Press Release

Congressman Paul D. Tonko today celebrated a slew of sweeping clean energy initiatives announced by the Biden Administration, including a record-breaking offshore wind auction for the New York Bight, an initiative to modernize the nation's electric grid and more.

"Clean energy offers us an incredible opportunity to create good-paying jobs, tackle the worsening climate crisis and strengthen our economy," Congressman Tonko said. "For years I've pushed forward clean energy initiatives and legislation that would harness the power of offshore wind, modernize our grid to be more resilient and lower energy costs for Americans. Today's announcement by the Biden Administration is critical to building a better future for generations to come. I will not stop working to drive froward these advancements in Congress and look forward to continuing my work alongside President Biden to supercharge America's clean energy economy."

Rep. Tonko has led efforts to support the growing offshore wind industry. In December 2021, he heralded the awarding of $29.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a new offshore wind manufacturing facility at the Port of Albany, paving the way for the Capital Region's leadership in this emerging industry and bringing good paying, clean energy jobs to the region.

The clean energy actions announced today by the Biden-Harris Administration include:

-A record-breaking offshore wind lease sale, with the most lease areas ever offered, in the New York Bight off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.
-A new Building a Better Grid initiative to accelerate the deployment of new transmission lines--as enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law--to connect more Americans to cleaner, cheaper energy.
-A new pilot program established by the Department of Agriculture to support clean energy in underserved rural communities.

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