Month: June 2023

View the full LyondellBasell 2022 Sustainability Report.

Addressing climate change is one of the most pressing challenges our world faces and we believe collective action and a sense of urgency are needed.

As a leader in our industry, we have an important role in driving change. We support the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C.

We are committed to reducing GHG emissions from our global operations and value chain, and to delivering solutions which advance our customers’ climate ambitions and support society’s transition to a low carbon world. We believe a commitment to net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2050 and a credible pathway to 2030 for scopes 1, 2 and 3 are critical to the long-term success of LyondellBasell.

In December 2022, we stepped up our ambition by accelerating our interim targets for 2030 in line with the best available science. We increased our 2030 GHG emissions reduction target for scope 1 and 2 emissions to 42% and established a 2030 scope 3 emissions reduction target of 30%, relative to a 2020 baseline. We submitted a commitment letter to the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) for validation of our 2030 goals. The SBTi drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organizations to set science-based emissions reduction targets.

Included in our approach is a commitment to secure at least 50% of our global procured electricity from renewable sources by 2030. We will also work with our utility suppliers to lower the carbon intensity of the electricity and steam that we procure.

Importantly, as companies within our value chains increasingly set their own scope 3 goals, we believe our increased climate ambitions will be an advantage. As an early mover, we aim to deliver low carbon foot- print materials that will meet increasing demand across our value chains.

OUR GOALS

Achieve net zero GHG emissions from our global operations by 20501Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% by 20302Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 30% by 20303Procure a minimum of 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 20304

OUR APPROACH

Integrate proven solutions to improve the efficiency of our manufacturing processes and switch to less carbon intensive fuelsAssess opportunities in electrification of our processes and in carbon capture technologyIncrease our use of renewable and low carbon energy primarily through power purchase agreements and collaboration with our utility suppliersHelp accelerate the scale up and deployment of breakthrough technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of chemical processes to net zero by 2050 through collaborationAdvance our use of circular and renewable-based feedstocks and engage with suppliers to support scope 3 emissions reductionsContinue to integrate climate impacts into our business processes and strategyEngage with governments and industry peers to support effective policies to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and our global climate ambitions

The role of public policy

We believe public policy has an essential role to play in the transition to a low carbon economy. Our strategy for achieving our climate ambitions relies on several key enablers. These includes stable positions and policies independent of political cycles, and the development of necessary infrastructure and technologies to support the transition toward net zero.

We support policies that:

Encourage the development of affordable and reliable low carbon energy needed to support industrial operations through various incentives that reward investment in carbon-reducing technologies and support the development of needed infrastructure.Promote advances to develop carbon capture and storage infrastructure at the scale required to enable the storage of GHG emissions, which are technically unavoidable today, or where the solution involves excessively high economic or social costs.Promote significant increases in renewable electricity production and grid capacity upgrades needed to support the highelectricity demand tied to the electrification of processes.Encourage further development of affordable, reliable renewable energy and baseload generation from other non-emitting sources.Accelerate the development of emerging technologies that enable the reduction of emissions from carbon intensive, large scale manufacturing needs, including processes and adjacent infrastructure to enable cost effective use of CO2 at scale for the production of higher value chemicals.

We also support a carbon pricing scheme that effectively facilitates a transition to a net zero economy. We believe a global carbon price provides the most efficient, fair and uniform way to reduce GHG emissions at scale. In the absence of a global price on carbon, in the near-term, we support regionally implemented cap-and-trade programs.

Finally, while we expect the cost of low carbon hydrogen, irrespective of its mode of production, to become increasingly competitive, we will continue to need public support for the development of hydrogen production and transport capabilities in our regions of operations.

In 2023, we will publish more details on our climate advocacy approach, including our approach to participation in trade associations.

Governance of our climate goals

Recognizing the vital importance of the issue, our climate strategy is embedded in our overall business strategy and managed at the highest levels of our company. Our Board of Directors (Board) leads our commitment to sustainability and maintains oversight of our ESG profile on topics including climate change.

At the management level, our CEO oversees the company’s ESG profile through regular reporting and discussion on key topics and initiatives among members of the Executive Committee, comprised of senior executives that lead LyondellBasell’s businesses and functions. ESG matters including climate change impact, and are impacted by, our operations, with each function playing a role in identifying relevant opportunities, managing associated risks, and contributing to our overall sustainability program. The Executive Committee includes, among others, our Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, with responsibility for sustainability strategy and ESG reporting.

In 2022, we promoted our Director, Global Sustainability to the role of Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). The CSO is responsible for the management of sustainability programs, strategy, and reporting.

In 2022, we reviewed our approach to our climate strategy, and created a new organization dedicated to the execution of our strategy to reach our 2050 net zero goal and underlying interim targets for scope 1 and 2 emissions. This organization is directly embedded within our business, with a direct reporting line to business executive leadership to facilitate the integration of climate as part of our overall business strategy. In addition, with the announcement of our commitment to reduce our value chain (scope 3) emissions, we are establishing an internal network to address and reduce our scope 3 emissions, which will include representatives from several business units across the company due to the diversity of scope 3 emission sources.

OUR GOAL: ACHIEVE NET ZERO GHG EMISSIONS FROM OUR GLOBAL OPERATIONS BY 2050

Our strategy to reach net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions from our global operations by 2050 is focused on six levers.

Energy efficiency: Lowering the energy demand of our operations through initiatives including flare gas recovery, heat integration and process optimization.

Fuel Switching: Reducing the carbon intensity of the fuels we use on site by increasing the share of lower carbon intensive fuels in our fuel mix, and in particular hydrogen, to displace other fuels.

Electrification: Electrifying our processes to replace the use of fossil fuels with low carbon or renewable electricity.

Carbon Capture and Storage/Utilization (CCS/CCU): Reducing direct emissions by enabling the capture and storage or reuse of CO2 from our operations.

Emerging technologies: Developing and utilizing new technologies for the production of olefins, chemicals and polyolefins with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional processes. This includes technologies that enable circularity, such as our MoReTec advanced recycling technology.

Low Carbon Energy: Reducing emissions associated with our purchased electricity and steam needs by sourcing electricity from renewable energy projects, and collaborating with utility suppliers to lower the carbon intensity of the energy we purchase.

OUR GOAL: REDUCE ABSOLUTE SCOPE 1 AND 2 GHG EMISSIONS 42% BY 20305

Our 2030 strategy for scope 1 and 2 emissions includes a portfolio of projects categorized under the levers listed below. We take into account organic growth and divestitures and previously announced closures of assets. We have accounted for the additional emissions from our new PO/TBA plant in Channelview, Texas, commissioned in March 2023. As announced in April 2022, we plan to close the Houston refinery by the end of December 2023. This is expected to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by more than 3 million metric tons annually.

Levers for reducing scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030 include:

Electrification

Electrification is part of our approach to achieving our 2030 target and our 2050 net zero goal for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions. Part of our 2030 approach will be to reduce the use of fossil fuels in our utilities, in particular through electrifying our steam production. When coupled with renewable or low carbon electricity, this approach will allow us to lower the carbon footprint of our onsite produced energy.

Longer term, we anticipate process electrification will be an integral part of our approach to achieving net zero in our operations, and notably in our olefins plants, which represent more than half of our scope 1 and 2 footprint.

Fuel switching

We refer to fuel switching as the use of hydrogen and other fuels with low carbon intensity to displace higher carbon intensive fuels and thereby reduce GHG emissions in our operations. We anticipate fuel switching will be another key element in our approach to achieving our 2030 target and 2050 net zero goal for scope 1 and 2 emissions, in particular for our olefin and other higher energy intensive process units.

We are evaluating hydrogen supplies from a variety of sources, both internal and external, in our effort to reduce GHG emissions from fuels used in our operations. Internally, we are evaluating reforming gases from our processes to produce hydrogen, and the production of on-purpose hydrogen. Externally, we support the development of a hydrogen value chain. To enable this development, we believe supportive policies and value chain collaboration will be critical. This is why we are working with several parties, including Air Liquide, Uniper and Chevron, on a joint study to evaluate and potentially advance the development of a production facility for low carbon hydrogen and ammonia in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

We are also pursuing other opportunities to reduce the carbon intensity of the fuels we use. Our collaboration with Evonik will allow us to phase out coal from our power plant in Wesseling, Germany, by 2024, replacing it with high pressure steam produced from natural gas at Evonik’s neighboring site.

Carbon capture storage and utilization

We support the development of infrastructure for the capture and storage of CO2 to enable emission reductions from processes where no other suitable technical or economical solution exists today. In particular, carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be used in combination with hydrogen production from natural gas, to create what is known as blue hydrogen. Recognizing economically feasible CCS infrastructure as a critical lever to reduce emissions and enable a supply of blue hydrogen, we are conducting feasibility studies at key manufacturing sites in Europe and in the U.S. for the potential deployment of carbon capture equipment with linkages to storage infrastructure under development.

Longer term, we believe in the potential of CO2 utilization as an alternative to permanent storage. We are exploring collaboration opportunities with different stakeholders to bring CO2 utilization approaches to technological and commercial maturity. CO2 utilization not only has the potential to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions through CO2 capture, but also to reduce scope 3 emissions by converting the captured CO2 to higher value chemicals that could replace current fossil-based feedstocks.

The graph represents our expected progress toward our 2030 target. We expect our scope 1 and 2 emissions will increase temporarily in 2023 due to the commissioning of our PO/TBA plant. We estimate that a significant portion of our reduction efforts will take place in the latter half of the decade, as many of these projects are aligned with the turnaround schedules of our manufacturing sites. Several of our projects are also dependent on key enablers, such as the construction of infrastructure.

Estimates of the capital expenditures necessary to achieve our emissions reduction goals are built into the company’s long-range plan. These investments are not expected to represent a significant portion of total capital expenditures over the next three years, nor change the capital allocation strategy. While many of the GHG emissions reduction projects are still in the early stages of development, the company will evaluate, pursue and prioritize its GHG emission reduction investments based on each project’s rate of return.

OUR GOAL: PROCURE A MINIMUM OF 50% OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES BY 20306

Renewable electricity is a critical reduction lever in our journey to achieve net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2050.

We have made significant progress toward achieving our renewable energy procurement goal. Renewable energy is an important component of our 2030 and 2050 strategy, and power purchase agreements are our preferred approach to decarbonizing our electricity supply. These strategic projects propel us forward in greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and they also provide scalability and support investment in new renewable energy capability. Power purchase agreements also are a good business decision, helping to protect businesses against a potentially volatile market.

In 2022, we signed eight renewable electricity power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the U.S. and Europe, achieving more than 50% of our 2030 target. The projects are both wind and solar, and the majority are located in Texas. The Tarragona Solar Project in Spain is the first physical PPA project located at a LyondellBasell manufacturing site. This project is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2023 with approximately 5 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity. In total, these PPAs represent approximately 933 MW of renewable energy capacity and are estimated to generate an amount of renewable electricity equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 380,000 households.

In March 2023, LyondellBasell and Grenergy signed five long-term solar power PPAs. Under the 15-year contracts, the Spanish renewable energy producer will supply solar energy from the La Cereal solar farm project, which is expected to be operational at the end of 2025. The agreements represent approximately 141 MW of solar energy capacity, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 90,000 European homes. With these agreements, LyondellBasell achieved 70% of our goal to procure at least half of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. In total, these PPAs will reduce our company’s scope 2 emissions by more than 1 million metric tons per year when the projects are operational.

In addition, we are working to identify and implement solutions to secure low carbon energy through various projects under evaluation to supplement our renewable electricity supply at our sites in North America and Europe. These include working with our current utility suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of the energy we procure, and assessing the feasibility of emerging technologies to deploy at our sites.

OUR GOAL: REDUCE ABSOLUTE SCOPE 3 GHG EMISSIONS 30% BY 20307

Our scope 3 goal was developed following the best available science, and we are seeking SBTi validation of our goal.

Our scope 3 goal was developed following the best available science, with a coverage of two thirds of our total scope 3 emission inventory in line with the latest SBTi guidance. We are currently seeking validation of our goal with the SBTi. Several reduction levers are important for achieving scope 3 reductions:

The exit from our refining business: Our exit from the sale of refined products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, and corresponding exit from procuring various raw materials including crude oil, will represent in total a reduction of approximately 40 million metric tons of scope 3 emissions annually.

Use of circular feedstocks: We are increasing our use of renewable bio-based and recycled feedstocks, in line with our commitment to produce and market at least 2 million metric tons of recycled and renewable-based polymers annually by 2030.

Engaging with suppliers: By engaging with suppliers, including those that supply our feedstocks and raw materials, we can better understand the product carbon footprint of the materials we procure from them and explore the potential for collaboration on emissions reduction opportunities. We will also utilize the product carbon footprint guidance from Together for Sustainability to enable further harmonization on scope 3 accounting approaches across the value chain.

Shifting to less carbon intensive fuels: Switching to the use of lower carbon intensive fuels in our operations may offer the potential to lower our scope 3 emissions, in addition to reducing our scope 1 and/or scope 2 emissions.

Engaging with logistics providers: We are engaging with our logistics suppliers to better understand emissions linked to the transportation of our products to our customers, and reviewing opportunities to optimize our distribution routes to reduce GHG emissions. We participated in the development of the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) guidance for the European Chemical Industry as part of the Smart Freight Centre and are working with logistics suppliers to improve the accuracy of emissions reporting to guide optimization efforts.

Estimating scope 3 emissions can be challenging as the industry’s understanding of sources and appropriate emission methodologies is evolving. Additional guidance for calculating and addressing scope 3 emissions is currently underway across many industries, including the chemical sector. We are engaged in several sector initiatives to improve the consistency and accuracy of scope 3 emission estimates and reporting, including in SBTi Chemical Industry Guidance and Together for Sustainability’s Product Carbon Footprints.

1 Our 2050 net zero GHG emissions goal includes scope 1 and 2 emissions. 
2 Relative to a 2020 baseline. 
3 Relative to a 2020 baseline. 
4 Based on 2020 procured levels. 
5 Relative to a 2020 baseline. 
6 Based on 2020 procured levels. 
7 Relative to a 2020 baseline.

View the full LyondellBasell 2022 Sustainability Report.

For information about the factors that could impact our forward-looking statements, please see page two of the LyondellBasell Sustainability Report.

Originally published on Rayonier.com

At Rayonier, we have the honor and privilege of working alongside small, local logging businesses. Many of these companies have been passed down for generations, and are considered an integral part of the Rayonier family. We take great pride in these partnerships and appreciate their shared commitment to the sustainability and preservation of the land we work together.

Here we share seven of these generational businesses’ inspiring stories, showcasing their deep-rooted values and passion for the logging industry. Join us as we pay tribute to the significant contributions and remarkable legacies logging business from Washington state to Florida bring.

Levanen Inc., Battle Ground, WashingtonSevier Logging, LLC, Olympia, WashingtonTriple J Logging, Palatka, FloridaAllen Brothers Forest Management, Arlington, WashingtonDM Stratton and 3D Trucking, LLC, Jacksonville, FloridaDilley & Soloman, Forks, WashingtonR.L. Smith Logging, Inc., Elma, Washington

Levanen Inc., Battle Ground, Washington

From a young age, Scott Levanen aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps as a professional in the logging industry. While working alongside his father, Scott gained valuable skills and logging experience. He later recognized a need for a local full-service logging company that could assist private landowners in maximizing the potential of their tree farms. In 1989, he partnered with his cousin Mark to establish Levanen Inc., which is dedicated to fulfilling this purpose.

Word spread quickly among landowners about the quality of Levanen Inc.’s services. The growing demand the company was experiencing resulted in a need for expansion of its workforce and equipment. This enabled them to take on larger logging projects. To sustain such growth, Levanen Inc. diversified their services, offering logging operations to both public and private timberlands.

Over time, Levanen Inc. has evolved into a well-rounded organization through partnerships with large landowners such as Rayonier. These partners share a commitment to safer, more efficient, and technologically-advanced harvesting timber methods via cable assist and hydraulic grapple logging systems.

Scott’s father once advised him, saying, “Surround yourself with great people, and things will go well.” Thanks to this advice, Scott attributes his success to the partnerships, employees, vendors, and clients he has worked with over the years.

Currently, Levanen Inc. is owned and operated by Scott with the help of his two sons, Dale and Loren. In the future, Dale and Loren hope to purchase the company, carrying on the family legacy.

Sevier Logging, LLC, Olympia, Washington

Sevier Logging, LLC, is owned and operated by Jeff Sevier and his son, Justin. This well-established, third-generation company holds a rich logging history dating back over 70 years in the Pacific Northwest. Known for its sustainable forestry practices and excellent logging services, the company has built a strong reputation as a contractor for various timber companies. Partnerships have included Weyerhaeuser Company, Rayonier Forest Resources, Green Diamond Resource Company, Harbor Timber/Quinault Partners for the Quinault Indian Tribe, Olympic Resource Management, and government sales at Fort Lewis.

Jeff inherited the business from his father Paul in 2000, continuing the family legacy. Justin, Jeff’s son, has been actively involved in the company for the past decade, working alongside his father and preparing to take ownership in the near future. “Working alongside my dad has been invaluable as I learn the ropes,” says Justin, prompting a smile from Jeff. “I’m so proud of Justin,” says Jeff, “He has embraced a leadership role and makes good, solid decisions. I couldn’t be any prouder of him!”

Sevier Logging, LLC, is rooted in responsible land stewardship and is dedicated to protecting the environment through sustainable forestry practices. Employee safety is also a priority for the company. Remarkably, Sevier Logging, LLC, has managed to avoid any serious accidents in its 70-year logging history.

Triple J Logging, Palatka, Florida

For JJ Sweat, it was important to create a logging business that would not only provide for his family today, but could become a legacy that would one day also provide for his son’s family.

He founded Triple J Logging Inc. in Palatka, Florida, in 2005.

Now a co-owner who works alongside his dad, JJ’s son Jess is learning firsthand how to operate the company.

Over the years, Triple J Logging has grown significantly, employing a dedicated team of 8 employees. The company has partnered with Rayonier’s Florida Resource Unit as a logging contractor since about 2019.

Allen Brothers Forest Management, Arlington, Washington

Les and Rob Allen represent the second and third generations of their family’s logging legacy at the Hood Canal Tree Farm in East Jefferson County, Washington. In 1976, Les, with his two brothers Craig and Larry, founded Allen Brothers Logging on the Olympic Peninsula. Initially, the company focused on serving the Quilcene and Chimacum areas.

While Rob was growing up, he and his brother worked for their father periodically throughout their high school and young adult years. Although Rob pursued other career paths, he later returned to Allen Brothers Forest Management as a full-time logger in 2004. In response to their father’s dedication to the logging company, Rob’s sons later worked for him during their high school summer breaks. This allowed them the opportunity to gain valuable experience in operations and logging equipment maintenance. As potential fourth-generation loggers, they have a promising future ahead should they choose to continue with Allen Brothers Forest Management.

Both Les and Rob share many positive outlooks when it comes to working alongside family members. They both emphasize the deep familiarity and trust between family, noting that each member treats the company as their own. As they look to the future, Les and Rob are hopeful that the younger generation will decide to return and continue the family logging legacy.

DM Stratton and 3D Trucking, LLC, Jacksonville, Florida

For the Stratton family in Jacksonville, Florida, the common name between Dillon Stratton I, Dillon Stratton II and Dillon Stratton III is only one of the similarities the three generations share. They’re also all three passionate about logging and have worked together in their family businesses.

The youngest of the three, Dillon Stratton III, is the owner and operator of DM Stratton and 3D Trucking, LLC. Founded by his grandfather, Dillon Stratton I, both businesses have a strong family lineage. Together, the two companies employ a total of 18 employees. In addition to running the business, Dillon III holds the position of Vice President at the Southeastern Wood Producers Association. His father, Dillion II, received the distinguished Florida Logger of the Year award in 1995. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dillion III was also recognized, receiving the same honor in 2022.

Over the years, DM Stratton has developed an extensive partnership with Rayonier, effectively managing multiple logging crews at the same time in our forests.

Dilley & Soloman, Forks, Washington

Dave Dilley began his logging journey while pursuing his high school education. At the time, he realized this particular career path was his true calling. Growing up in Forks, Washington, an area known for its beautiful outdoor landscape and the Olympic Peninsula, it seemed like a natural fit. Following his graduation, Dave spent 10 years logging alongside his uncle, a contractor working for Rayonier. In 1987, he partnered with Lyn Soloman to establish Dilley & Soloman Logging. Together, they experienced substantial business growth.

Dave’s son, Mike, joined the company while still in high school, dedicating his summer breaks to working in the family business. After graduating in 2000 and pursuing a college degree for 2 years at Washington State University, he decided to forego his education and work at the business instead. Over the years, Mike has gradually worked his way through every aspect of logging operations, watching the industry shift and change. Notable changes included tower and shovel logging with grapple cars, tilting shovels, and tethering bunchers. The company has encouraged and embraced innovation, attributing to its great success.

Dave is confident that when he retires, Mike will carry on the family legacy and achieve great success.

R.L. Smith Logging, Inc., Elma, Washington

R.L. Smith Logging, Inc. has been in business now for 32 years, but its logging legacy dates back further than that. In 1932, Roger Smith’s paternal grandfather tragically died in a logging accident, leaving his wife and five young sons behind. Due to the accident, the family decided to set the logging industry aside for a while. But in 1980, Roger joined his uncle’s company, Grandorff Bros Logging, a small business of four brothers offering logging services to the high country of Grisdale.

In 1991, an economic downturn left Roger unemployed. Thankfully, an uncle offered to sell his portion of the business, leading to the establishment of Tagman-Smith Logging, Inc. With the help and support of Dick Tagman, R.L. Smith Logging, Inc. is still thriving to this day.

Because of Roger’s success and dedication to the family legacy, he was able to offer his nephew, Nate Murray, an opportunity to start his own venture: Roosevelt Logging Inc. In addition, Roger has worked alongside his brothers and brother-in-law for over 20 years. Roger values the teamwork, comradery, and accomplishments he and his family have achieved over the years. Now, R.L. Smith Logging Inc. is harvesting ground they logged in their early years.

“It is hard to imagine that our family history in the logging industry goes back almost 100 years,” says Roger.

Rayonier’s Dedication to Supporting Local Family-Owned Logging Businesses

Rayonier is proud to partner with these family-owned logging businesses. Founded on shared values and a deep appreciation for the forests, their knowledge of the industry and logging operations are critical to Rayonier’s mission of sustainable forest management. With logging running through their blood, each company contributes its rooted and local expertise, specialized equipment, and talented workforce.

We value and express gratitude to each family-owned logging business represented at Rayonier. Our work is only made possible with partnerships such as these. Rayonier’s goal is to continue to support the ongoing success and resilience of these generational logging companies for years to come.

Key Highlights

Community Offshore Wind creates over 10 new partnerships increasing youth access to STEM education to foster future careers in the renewable energy industry.

NEW YORK /3BL Media/ – One month after submitting a proposal to provide New York State with clean energy and record economic investment from offshore wind, Community Offshore Wind, a joint venture between RWE Renewables and National Grid, is investing over $100,000 into STEM and environmental education programs to prepare the offshore wind workforce of the future. Community Offshore Wind is working with multiple community partners in downstate New York to provide access to museums, outdoor spaces, and environmental and marine education for hands-on learning experiences.

“Alongside our community partners, we have organized a suite of programs that will allow us to provide environmental and STEM education to New York youth, which is critical for equipping students with what they need for future careers in offshore wind,” said Pat Johnson, Vice President and Deputy Project Director, Community Offshore Wind. “As we await a decision on our New York offshore wind proposal, it’s important for us to continue to make positive changes in the state. Community Offshore Wind has been committed to New York communities as a joint venture for the better part of a year and long before that under our parent companies.”

During Engineers Week, Community Offshore Wind sent 75 students from communities in downstate New York to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, and New York Hall of Science. Participating students hail from the Red Hook Initiative, Good Shepherd Services at the Joseph Miccio Community Center, and the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center. 

“Thanks to Community Offshore Wind, youth in Brooklyn, New York spent time at our city’s great museums during Engineers Week,” said William Suarez, Partnerships Manager of Red Hook Initiative (RHI). “Some of the students were able to explore a museum in their backyards for the first time. RHI high school and middle school participants were able to go to the New York Hall of Science, for example. We hope this kind of educational enrichment is an experience that will inspire youth and set them up for success.”

In partnership with Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), Uniondale High School students in 11th and 12th grade will embark on interactive boat excursions on the Western Bays around Long Island to learn about climate change and renewables. Additionally, students will connect to climate-related summer internships as part of the program.

“We are delighted to work with the faculty and students at Uniondale High School. They have many concerns and questions regarding the impacts of climate change and have expressed a strong interest in learning about ways they can mitigate those impacts,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Through Community Offshore Wind’s support, we can provide classroom education and field trips for 11th and 12th graders to get them out on the water to experience and learn about climate impacts on our marine environment. CCE will also help these students find internships in climate-related fields. Many of these students want to work in renewables and this experience will help expose them to possible careers in offshore wind.”

Over 400 second and third grade Uniondale students will be offered a field trip that provides marine and environmental education on a boat sponsored by Community Offshore Wind with Operation Splash. 

“Giving students a chance to learn about ocean conservation through real-life, hands-on experience is the key to helping them understand the importance of protecting our local bays and environment as a whole,” said Robert Weltner, President of Operation SPLASH. “They see the issues we face first-hand when we bring them out on the water, and the connections they make become much deeper. Community Offshore Wind and Operation SPLASH share in the goal of providing marine and environmental education to younger generations. Through their generous support, these field trips for Uniondale students are possible.”

The Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center on Long Island, in partnership with Community Offshore Wind, will host the Kidwind Competition for over 300 students throughout Long Island. This competition will challenge participants to build and test wind turbines while teaching students about renewable energy, engineering principles, and teamwork. The competition aims to inspire youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“We are thrilled to host our first Kidwind competition at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in nearly three years,” said Kerri Mackay, Education Competition Coordinator at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. “Community Offshore Wind’s support will make this competition possible and inspire students to explore the potential of sustainable energy sources.”

The series of programming will continue through the rest of the 2023 calendar year.

For more information, please visit www.communityoffshorewind.com.

About Community Offshore Wind

RWE and National Grid, will bring clean energy to the Northeastern US in a joint venture called Community Offshore Wind. They will develop offshore wind on the largest parcel in the New York Bight with the potential to host 3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is enough to power more than one million US homes and businesses. The project is expected to be in operation by the end of 2030. Community Offshore Wind is dedicated to investing in communities by bringing clean energy jobs to the region and growing the local economy. They will deliver sustainable energy safely, reliably, and efficiently to the communities they serve.

About RWE Renewables

RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With an extensive investment and growth strategy, the company will expand its powerful, green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030. RWE is investing more than 50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade. The portfolio is based on offshore wind and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, biomass and gas. RWE Supply & Trading provides tailored energy solutions for large customers. RWE has locations in the attractive markets of Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The company is responsibly phasing out nuclear energy and coal. Government-mandated phaseout roadmaps have been defined for both of these energy sources. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear target: to get to net zero by 2040. On its way there, the company has set itself ambitious targets for all activities that cause greenhouse gas emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. Very much in the spirit of the company’s purpose: Our energy for a sustainable life.

About National Grid Ventures

National Grid is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people throughout our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision.

National Grid Ventures (NGV) is the non-regulated division of National Grid plc, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. NGV operates outside of National Grid’s core regulated businesses in the US and UK where it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of a clean energy future. NGV’s diverse portfolio of low carbon and renewable energy businesses across the UK, Europe and US includes subsea electricity interconnectors, wind and solar power, and battery storage. For more information, visit https://www.nationalgrid.com/national-grid-ventures.

Media Contacts

Molly Gilson COSW
Community Offshore Wind
(781) 249-7706
Send an email to Contact

The AMD High Performance Compute (HPC) Fund puts more computational power in the hands of those conducting groundbreaking research to accelerate solutions to the world’s toughest challenges. Originally established in 2020 with a focus on powering research to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fund has now been broadened to include other medical and social good research.1

AMD computing power supported by the HPC Fund is enabling engineers and health scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles to trace pathogens and improve public health. See the work they’re doing at African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University.

For more information, please visit: https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/hpc-fund

Footnotes

1) As of May 2022.