Join a discussion and conversation that orients us to the players, locations, planning, construction, and timelines for the offshore wind deployment underway in New York and New Jersey. Along with the basics of the field, questions speakers will cover include: who are all the developers? What are New York State and New Jersey doing with the industry now? What will be built and when? Who is partnered with whom?
The ocean can be a crowded place. A home for marine mammals, fish, and shellfish, as well as human infrastructure—our oceans are a key to our future and the future of the planet. The environmental impacts of offshore wind farms on habitats, aquatic life, and birds has been a subject of research and analysis focused on determining the role of offshore wind in ocean systems and wildlife. This panel reviews the potential impacts to animal life and ecology, current environmental research, biodiversity metrics, and opportunities to mitigate impacts.
Much of the offshore wind workforce development effort has been focused on high-volume roles in construction and technicians. Yet it is clear gaps have emerged in permitting, planning, and engineering. This session considers questions such as: What are the pre-construction gaps in employment affecting both government and industry? What is the role of colleges and how can college programs better prepare white collar graduates for the offshore wind industry? How do you create a bridge between training programs and hiring?
