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Panico, Sunderman call for community improvements,
minimal traffic disruptions
Local officials are encouraging residents of the Tri-Hamlet community to attend a virtual open house Monday night with developers of an offshore wind farm who are proposing to connect a transmission cable from the wind turbines under the seabed to a landing at Smith Point County Park and up William Floyd Parkway.
The 800-megawatt cable would eventually connect to LIPA’s Holbrook substation and could power more than 500,000 homes on Long Island.
The project, known as Sunrise Wind, is a partnership between Danish wind-energy giant Orsted and its partner Eversource, with support from Con Edison and the New York Power Authority.
According to Newsday, which reported that it received a copy of the plan ahead of the meeting on Monday, “two high-voltage cables that make up the transmission line would come ashore … at Smith Point County Park. From there it would traverse a route through the Smith Point Marina, head north along the William Floyd Parkway to Montauk Highway, then follow routes through Yaphank Avenue, Horseblock Road, and Manor Road to the Long Island Expressway. From there it will continue west to a LIPA substation at Union Avenue in Holtsville.”
“My primary concern is to ensure that the project has as minimal an impact on the Tri-Hamlet community,” said Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico, whose district includes part of the proposed path for the cable. He added that there should be “worthwhile community benefits for the area.”
“I’m looking for something tangible. It could be improvements to parks … a new park, improving parks, something that helps the community … infrastructure improvements.
“I think It would be good for the applicant to go out to the community and listen to the residents.
He added: “I would encourage all those interested to log on and learn about the project — learn about the proposed route.”
Panico said he suggested that the wind farm developers “get off William Floyd as quickly as possible to minimize any potential traffic impact. I’m especially concerned about the portion of William Floyd Parkway at the railroad tracks and at Montauk Highway.”
Panico was not aware of any town approvals required for the project.
Suffolk Legis. Rudy Sunderman, who is also chief of the Mastic Fire Department, said he sat down with the Sunrise Wind developers “as a legislator as a first responder” to discuss traffic flow for the community and improvement projects that are either slated to be done at the same time or could be accomplished during that time, including new drainage and revitalization to the center median on William Floyd Parkway south of Havenwood Drive to improve pedestrian safety “so that road work is not done several times.”
Sunderman, who said the Sufffolk’s department of public works would need to sign off since William Floyd Parkway is a county thoroughfare, emphasized that residents who have any concerns about the project “should take the opportunity to stay informed and be involved” in the virtual open house.
Sunrise Wind virtual open house
Monday, Nov, 16, 6:30 p.m.
Residents, ratepayers and public officials are welcome.
To register, visit sunrisewindnyvirtual.com.
