The Long Island town of East Hampton, NY unanimously adopted a resolution in 2014 to commit to 100% renewable energy by the year 2020.  Their plans involve the use of both solar and wind power to reduce the town’s reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon dioxide emissions and save money in consumer energy costs.

According to Larry Cantwell, East Hampton’s Town Supervisor “… building local solar farms can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in lease revenue for the town…Making the switch to clean energy is just the right thing to do both for the environment and for keeping more money in the local economy and creating jobs here.”

The town has been going over many proposals for large scale solar farms and with the help of the state and local support, East Hampton has successfully found the site for New York’s first offshore windfarm. The Deepwater Wind Project will capture the offshore gusts and breezes from its chosen site 30 miles southeast of Montauk where it will channel that energy into clean electricity capable of powering 50,000 homes.  The wind farm will connect to Long Island’s electrical grid by way of underwater and underground cables in East Hampton. The community hopes to have this 90 megawatt project in operation by 2018.

Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby stated that, “We owe it to the children of East Hampton to do something about climate change and air pollution…Meeting our future energy needs with clean, environmental energy sources will require a strong commitment from town government and all East Hampton residents and we are ready to face that challenge.”

East Hampton hopes to take these initiatives even further by striving to achieve 100% renewable energy in all energy sectors including electricity, heating, and transportation by the year 2030.  Learn more about how to get your local government engaged in the transition to renewable energy.