In a live press conference on August 30, New York Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Thomas Suozzi, announced that federal funding for the Offshore Wind Workforce Development Project at SUNY Maritime College was passed by the House. The Representatives jointly submitted the funding request, which now awaits a vote in the Senate.
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez requested federal funding for 10 projects within her 14th Congressional District, One of the submissions, the Offshore Wind Workforce Development Project at SUNY Maritime College, was nominated for a grant of $795,000 in federal funding. “To bring those jobs and these investments to the Throggs Neck community and the Bronx first, shows that we can create hundreds of jobs addressing climate change,” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez. “These are good, union, family-supporting jobs that can happen here in the Bronx,” Representative Suozzi of the 3rd Congressional District added, "This training program is about training people to do offshore wind construction and installation, mechanics, high voltage electricians and welders, Getting the type of training that we are trying to facilitate through this grant to Maritime College is important and will help make people's lives better," he stated.
If funded, the Offshore Wind Workforce Development Project at Maritime College will provide entry-level training for high-wage-earning jobs in the emerging regional offshore wind industry sector for New York State residents. Nearly 5,000 New York jobs could be created by 2035 through regional offshore wind deployment, and SUNY Maritime College can provide training and certify hundreds of workers yearly.