My name is Fred W. Thiele, Jr. I am the State Assemblyman for the 1^st Assembly District, part of which includes the Town of East Hampton. The project that is the subject of this hearing is located within my Assembly District. I regret that I cannot attend today’s hearing due to legislative business in Albany as we near the end of a productive legislative session.

My interest in this matter is great. This proposed project is the first off-shore wind energy project in New York State and the largest project of any kind in my district. As such, it must be subjected to strict scrutiny to insure that potential adverse environmental impacts to the community are avoided and mitigated.

The proposed project (South Fork Export Cable Project) would connect the proposed South Fork Wind Farm to the Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) existing mainland electric grid in the Town of East Hampton. Specifically, if the project were approved, Deepwater Wind South Fork, LLC (“Deepwater”) would be authorized to construct an approximately 3.5 mile submarine export cable from the proposed 130MW wind farm to Beach Lane in Wainscott, which would then proceed for another 4.1 miles upland to an existing LIPA substation in East Hampton. Deepwater has also provided an alternative landfall at Hither Hills State Park and a cable route that would traverse virtually the length of the Town of East Hampton.

As an elected official representing the Town of East Hampton on the local and state level for more than 30 years, my position on energy issues has been consistently stated for decades.

I have been a major supporter of renewable energy, including solar power and wind power. I have been an opponent of nuclear energy and the continued reliance on fossil fuels. I have also opposed the construction of unsightly, above-ground transmission lines to deliver power to our scenic and historic communities from outside the region.

Because of our thriving local economy, our energy needs on the South Fork have increased. Further, we are confronted with the undeniable facts that climate change and sea level rise are real. We are already facing the adverse impacts of climate change. We must promote both energy conservation and the production of clean energy to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Through legislation, capital investment, and public statements, I have demonstrated support for a clean energy future for eastern Long Island and New York State that is based upon renewable energy. I have also supported producing and conserving energy locally to avoid the need for more above-ground transmission lines to import power to our communities.

Consistent with my vision for our energy future, I have generally supported the goal of the State of New York’s REV (Reforming the Energy Vision) for the development of renewable energy, including off-shore wind.

However, support for the goals of renewable energy cannot mean that state and local government is a rubberstamp for every off-shore wind project that is proposed. While the benefits of these projects are obvious, as we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, it is equally true that these projects have impacts. Deepwater has potentially substantial impacts to traditional industries and local communities.

Even with the urgency to provide renewable energy, we cannot ignore these potentially large environmental impacts. Rather, we must look at each project to insure that not only does the project meet the goals of state energy policy, but that the project avoids adverse environmental impacts to the local host community.

The public is right to demand the strictest review of this project. As the elected state official who represents this community, it is not my job to be a cheerleader for the applicant, but rather to be an umpire that protects my community by insuring that the review is complete and that our community character is not sacrificed in the process.

The application to the State Public Service Commission (PSC) is part of that fact-finding process. The State PSC must insure that the project promotes our state energy vision, while avoiding and mitigating potential adverse impacts to our local community character.

East Hampton Town supports renewable energy. Under the Community Preservation Fund, they have also spent $400 million to protect the historic and natural heritage of the community. One cannot be sacrificed for the other.

In particular, the concerns of the commercial fishing industry and those of the Wainscott community must also be fully addressed. Those concerns will be no doubt outlined by others in great detail today. If an alternative landing site is to be considered, new concerns will arise and those must also be fully addressed. The impacts from land-based facilities related to off-shore wind must be mitigated.

I have worked with the commercial fishing industry to address their legitimate and too-often ignored concerns about federal quotas and state licensing regulations, which have stifled the health of the industry. Most recently, the State of New York has finally initiated a legal action challenging these unfair federal quotas. We are also awaiting a consultant report with recommendation for licensing reform. The potential impacts to the fishing industry from off-shore wind must be identified, addressed, and avoided.

Finally, while not an issue for this hearing, I continue to be concerned by LIPA’s ill-considered policy of denying public access to the full Deepwater procurement agreement under the guise of confidentiality. LIPA’s culture of opacity undermines the goals of renewable energy and public confidence.

There is no legitimate basis for hiding the agreement from the public. The procurement process is long over. There is no viable reason under current law to deny public access to this information. I am pursuing legislation during this legislative session making it clear that these kinds of agreements are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

In conclusion, I thank you for your time and urge you to give a fair, thorough, and balanced review to the issues before you. Thank you.