Today is Global Wind Day. This should be a call to action for New Yorkers to address America’s need to invest in renewable technology and the industries that will define the 21st century. Wind energy is infinitely renewable. It is safe, clean and extremely cost-effective. 

A wind farm off the coast of New York in the Atlantic Ocean would be an important source of renewable energy for the 14th District, and would create a significant amount of jobs. Currently, the wind industry employs 85,000 people. This number can quadruple in next few years if we invest in wind energy. 

The Long Island – New York City Offshore Wind Project is a proposal between utilities and the state. The recent development in furthering this initiative is a great example of the sort of public-private partnership and innovative thinking that I would push for in office. I’ve written legislation proposing a National Innovation Fund that encourages the government and private sectors to invest in emerging technologies, entrepreneurs and next-generation sectors like clean technology. We must act now to invest and ensure that New York is a leader in the 21st century economy.