Activists Want Ravenswood Stacks Replaced with a Clean Power Hub

A group of about 200 people, including many children, rallied on Monday in support of Rise Light & Power’s plan to convert the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, which produces about a fifth of the city’s electricity, into a clean energy hub focused on wind power. Burning fossil fuels at the plant leads to higher asthma rates among area children, speakers said. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ

Rise Light & Power’s plan to transition the Ravenswood Generating Station into a renewable energy hub was met with support from residents in the surrounding areas on Monday.

Established in 1963, Ravenswood provides 2,500 megawatts of energy to New York City by burning fossil fuels, which causes poor air quality in neighboring communities and nearby New York City Housing Authority developments including the Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in the nation. The Long Island City plant produces about one-fifth of NYC’s electric power.

Rise Light & Power’s “Renewable Ravenswood” plan will repurpose existing infrastructure to connect offshore wind, upstate wind and solar power to New York City’s electric grid and advance the state’s goal of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. It includes a large-scale battery storage facility on site to ensure reliable energy in the absence of wind and sun.

Rise Light & Power also pledged to work with local nonprofits to prepare community members for career opportunities in renewable energy.

Former Astoria Houses Resident Association President Claudia Coger raised seven children before the Ravenswood smokestacks were built, and they never had respiratory problems. However, her granddaughter and two great-grandchildren suffer from asthma.

“That really hit me to be involved, because I know that this made a difference,” she told the Chronicle, motioning to the stacks.

She told a crowd of 200 that children in the area known colloquially as “Asthma Alley” miss at least 30 days of school due to poor air quality.

Former City Councilmember Costa Constantinides said asthma rates, emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma west of 21st Street are higher than the borough average.

“The core principles of environmental justice theory show us how time and time again, Black and brown, lower income and public housing communities are left to suffer the harsh effects of pollution,” Bishop Mitchell Taylor said.

Asked how NYC would receive one-fifth of its electricity during Ravenswood’s transition to renewable energy, Mentors On The Move 4 Life CEO Tyrone Freedom Gardner said there is “no real healthy replacement.”

“I don’t see anything else where the result of it can help us with what we’re trying to push for,” he said.

“The whole plan is where they’re positioning these wind things along the water, and the water and earth, they create all of the energy and stuff that’s going on in the air,” he added. “That would be a perfect place to get the source from — the water. And also solar’s going to be involved with it.”

Coger also did not know how NYC would receive power in the interim, but she emphasized that the community intends to be involved in the process.

“I do know that once they take these stacks down, there’s a transition that would take place,” she said. “That’s the number one thing we have to do right now is to take the stacks down. But also, we want to make sure, this is why we are here today, that we are keyed into … the proposal that’s on the governor’s desk now.”

With many young students in attendance, several speakers emphasized that the transition to clean energy benefits future generations.

“By taking down the Ravenswood generating plants and transitioning to cleaner energy sources like wind energy, we can significantly reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality in our communities,” Take Down the Stacks organizer Stephen Michael said. “This not only benefits our health but also contributes to a more sustainable future for generations to come … protecting our generations to come is what is necessary if we want to make a real impact.”

The plan requires local, state and federal approval to come to fruition. Attendees signed petitions for Hochul’s approval and texted their NYS representatives.

By Stephanie G. Meditz

The future of the Ravenswood Generating Station will be discussed at a community forum across Vernon Boulevard at the Queensbridge Houses on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Michael Dorgan)

Western Queens residents can have their say on the future of “Big Allis” during a community forum at the Queensbridge Houses Wednesday afternoon.

Rise Light & Power and Attentive Energy One are hosting the June 28 town hall to discuss what lies ahead for the massive Ravenswood Generating Station, which provides electricity for 1 in 5 homes in New York City.

As Ravenswood plans to complete a transition to using fully renewable energy while creating and maintaining jobs, community leaders and local NYCHA residents — who have long lived in the shadows of the largest fossil fuel plant in the city — can share their thoughts and opinions on the future of Ravenswood and their community, while learning about near-term steps in the transition with the Attentive Energy One offshore wind proposed project.

“The vision for Renewable Ravenswood was born out of community input and this forum will allow us to continue to engage the community as we refine our plans and move forward,” Rise Light & Power CEO Clint Plummer said. “Transforming Ravenswood is a partnership with the community and we are very excited about the progress we are making together.”

The community forum will be held at the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement in Queensbridge, located at 10-25 41st St. in Long Island City. The town hall begins at 5 p.m.

By Bill Parry

An offshore wind developer partly owned by TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) said on Monday it has agreed to retrain and keep roughly 100 union workers from a New York City natural gas-fired power plant that it intends to repurpose for its project.

The company, called Attentive Energy One, has proposed a 1.4 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind installation off New York that would connect to the mainland grid at the site of the Ravenswood plant in Queens, and is competing for a power contract with the state.

The company is a joint venture between TotalEnergies, the French energy giant, and Rise Light & Power, the unit of New York-based energy investment firm LS Power that operates the 1960s-era Ravenswood generating station.

Clint Plummer, chief executive of Rise Light & Power, told Reuters he believes the agreement to retrain and employ the power plant workers is an important aspect of Attentive’s bid for a state power contract.

“But we’re not doing it because of that,” he said. “We see it as a key part of our stewardship of this asset and the responsibility that we hold to do right by that workforce.”

Jobs could include operating the project’s control room, handling spare parts for servicing wind turbines and other logistics functions, the company said.

James Shillitto, president of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 1-2, which represents workers at the plant, said he welcomed the deal.

“We’re very confident that working with Rise, Total and Attentive that we’re going to come out the right way,” he said in an interview. “None of us are climate deniers and we know that things have to change.”

President Joe Biden’s administration is encouraging the development of offshore wind and other renewable energy sources, and has pledged that its climate change agenda will create millions of good-paying union jobs.

New York has mandated that 70% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030 and the state has set a target to develop 9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

Winners in the state’s third offshore wind solicitation will be announced this summer.

Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by David Gregorio

Project Would Fund Retraining for Ravenswood’s UWUA Local 1-2 Workforce, Which Would Become Nation’s First Fossil Fuel Power Generation Staff to Transition to Operating Offshore Wind Equipment

Attentive Energy One Also Proposes New IBEW Training Center, Helping Union Workers Statewide Gain Skills Needed for the Construction of Offshore Wind Facilities

Today, Attentive Energy One (AE1), a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Rise Light & Power, announced a landmark agreement with Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 (UWUA Local 1-2), which represents the workforce at the Ravenswood Generating Station. In connection with the 1,400 MW offshore wind proposal, which AE1 submitted to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in January 2023, AE1 commits to supporting the just transition of Ravenswood’s union workforce in the shift to renewable energy at the facility.

AE1 aims to set a national unmatched model for advancing clean energy projects, which includes a community-focused renewable repowering of Ravenswood from New York City’s largest fossil fuel plant to a clean energy hub. The Agreement outlines a plan for preparing the members of Local 1-2 for the future in clean energy at Ravenswood, demonstrating the value of labor-management partnerships in stewarding a just transition for the existing energy workforce.

Upon award of a contract, AE1 will launch a program in coordination with UWUA Local 1-2 that will ensure its members are able to smoothly transition to work on new renewable energy equipment as well as an operations-and-maintenance hub supporting up to 3 GW of offshore wind, through retraining and other transition benefits. The Ravenswood Training Center, a NCCER-Accredited Training Sponsor and Assessment Center, provides an existing platform for introducing new curriculum related to renewable energy, maritime operations, and other relevant skills to UWUA Local 1-2 members. 

Attentive Energy is committed to the goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which calls for a just transition to a clean energy economy that creates good paying jobs and fosters healthy communities.

“Attentive Energy One is the model for how to advance a transformational clean energy project that incorporates the community and embraces the principles of environmental justice and a just transition,” said Clint Plummer, Chief Executive Officer of Rise Light & Power, operators of the Ravenswood Generating Station and a partner in Attentive Energy One. “A just transition for our energy workforce tells them that they are valued and are the best candidates to operate the generation and transmission infrastructure necessary to power our sustainable future.”

“I applaud Attentive Energy One for establishing a historic model by being inclusive with labor and committing to a just transition,” said James Shillitto, President of UWUA Local 1-2, and a member of the Just Transition Task Force, a subcommittee of the New York State Climate Action Council. “As a prospective hub for offshore wind operations and interconnection, the union workforce at Ravenswood is poised to be the epicenter of the new green economy. By committing to a just transition, the union members of UWUA Local 1-2 who have been proudly running Ravenswood for decades are ready to put their valuable expertise to work in operating new renewable energy infrastructure for New York.”

“The unrivaled focus on just transition in the Attentive Energy One proposal is a collaborative effort from all parties involved to ensure that workers’ rights, livelihoods and community priorities are adequately addressed during the shift to renewable energy,” said Damian Bednarz, Managing Director, Attentive Energy.

In addition to stewarding a just transition at Ravenswood, AE1 will support training opportunities for workers statewide by partnering with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and their industry partner the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to open a Global Wind Organization (GWO) Training Center. This center will provide broad labor union training related to GWO-approved courses and educational credits through an agreement with Empire State College. All union tradespeople seeking the GWO safety certification will be welcome to use this facility, one of only five in the United States expected to offer the full-suite of GWO-certified safety courses, as well as recertifications. At full capacity, the IBEW GWO Training Center will issue more than 400 certifications each year, closing the skills gap for union workers to work in the offshore wind industry and supply chain in New York State.

IBEW Local 3 Business Manager Chris Erikson said of the collaboration: “This partnership demonstrates what is possible when organized labor and developers are committed to productive partnerships. Local 3 is proud to partner with Attentive Energy One in offering GWO training to all union members. We are leading the effort to prepare the next generation of men and women for jobs in offshore wind.”

Underscoring a state-wide approach to offering training opportunities that meet workers wherever they are, AE1 is also collaborating with the National Offshore Wind Training Center (“NOWTC”) – the result of a cooperative labor partnership between the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, Suffolk Community College and others. NOWTC will offer GWO training on Long Island, giving access to critical safety training for union members in the region.  AE1 committed to utilizing the NOWTC for a portion of its training offerings, opening opportunities for Long Islanders to access training for jobs in offshore wind.

John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor said, “The Long Island union movement is committed to ensuring members can access the training needed to prepare them for careers in offshore wind. We are proud of our partnership with the National Offshore Wind Training Center and excited that Attentive Energy One will utilize the National Offshore Wind Training Center for a portion of its workforce training needs. We are optimistic about the future of clean energy jobs for union families, and grateful to Attentive Energy One for its ongoing support.” 

AE1 also partnered with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York to memorialize its commitment to productive labor relations with the building trades unions.

Elected leaders stand in support of advancing the national model of just transition and fossil repowering at Ravenswood.

“Queens is ready to serve as a national model for how we can tackle the existential climate crisis while ensuring no worker gets left behind,” said Senator Jessica Ramos, Chair of Committee on Labor. “Attentive Energy One will deliver clean electricity from offshore wind, and sharply reduce emissions from fossil fuels in New York City while preparing our neighbors to participate in the green economy. Let’s get it done.”

“Our families deserve to breathe clean air and our workers deserve to live with dignity as we work toward a greener, healthier future. To that end, this agreement between Attentive Energy One and Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 not only ensures the Ravenswood Generating Station transitions into a hub of renewable energy, but also becomes a model of how to empower the existing workforce amidst that transition,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Queens must become an international leader in renewable energy, and I’m confident this agreement will help The World’s Borough continue down that path.” 

“I proudly stand in support of the transformative vision to retire fossil fuel infrastructure in Queens alongside the just transition of the union workforce at Ravenswood Generating Station. By delivering clean energy from the Attentive Energy One offshore wind project, this is a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and combating climate change, ensuring a cleaner and greener city for all,” said New York City Council Member James Gennaro, Chair of the Council Environmental Protection Committee. “Equally important, Attentive Energy One recognizes the vital role of the union workforce. Through comprehensive retraining programs, this project empowers skilled workers to transition into the renewable energy sector, safeguarding their livelihoods and fostering a just transition for all.”

About Attentive Energy One
Attentive Energy One (“AE1”) is an offshore wind project designed to help New York State achieve the twin goals of replacing fossil fuel with renewable energy and establishing a durable local industry with living-wage jobs. The project will deliver a historic environmental justice victory by retiring and replacing a major fossil-fuel power plant with offshore wind power. The project will power over 700,000 New York homes with clean energy produced from an offshore wind farm located in an area approximately 54 miles from its nearest point in New York. Wind power will be delivered directly to a waterfront power plant via a subsea transmission solution that avoids cable landings through beaches and other sensitive recreational areas. As a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Rise Light & Power, Attentive Energy One is uniquely positioned to deliver this major offshore wind project for New York. Click here for more information.

About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people. TotalEnergies has more than 11 GW of offshore wind projects in development, under construction or in operation across the world, and a portfolio of nearly 25 GW of wind, solar and storage in the U.S.

About Rise Light & Power
Rise Light & Power is a Queens, New York based energy asset manager and developer, and is actively transforming its core asset, Long Island City’s Ravenswood Generation Station, into a new clean energy hub, Renewable Ravenswood. By redeveloping New York City’s largest power generating facility, Rise will permanently replace fossil fuel power with homegrown renewable energy, while providing a just transition for its existing union workforce and economic opportunities for surrounding communities. Renewable Ravenswood, core to Rise’s growth-oriented strategy, is at the forefront of the ambitious clean energy transition taking place in New York State and will continue to provide reliable and cost-effective electricity for New York City for decades to come. Rise Light & Power is a wholly owned affiliate of LS Power. Click here for more information.

SOURCE Attentive Energy One

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