Ravenswood Generating Station, the largest power plant in the city located in Long Island City just off the East River, provides New York with over 20% of our electricity. Built in stages between 1963 and 2004, Ravenswood has shifted through its 60-year history from coal to lower carbon inputs, including a transition from coal and fuel oil to natural gas in the early 1970s and, most recently, a planned transition to offshore wind.
RPA staff and members on a tour of Ravenswood on June 10
On June 10, RPA staff and members joined Rise Light & Power to tour the power facility and learn more about the past, present, and future of this critical energy hub. From discussing the history of the four towering units (those iconic red and silver columns seen from miles around) to the environmental impacts of Ravenswood on adjacent NYCHA Ravenswood and Queensbridge Houses, the group dug into the complexity of how the generating station has fit into the dense urban fabric of the Queens waterfront.
Ravenswood is now on the cusp of becoming a clean energy hub. In 2022, Rise Light & Power completed a geographic survey of over 250 miles of New York Harbor to determine the best location for high voltage direct-current transmission cables and officially filed their Article VIIapplication. In partnership with the Queens Borough President’s Office, community workshops have been hosted to gather public feedback on how a reimagined Ravenswood site could improve public open space and connectivity on the waterfront, create high-quality good-paying jobs, and enhance the community’s wellbeing. Final permitting is pending from NYS.
Successful power generation from offshore wind is essential for New York to meet its commitment to 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040. Ravenswood Generating Station’s transition to a clean future will have benefits for the surrounding community and beyond, charting a powerful new course for renewable energy in NYC.
Interested in learning more?
Check out RPA’s Ports of Opportunity report on the importance of advancing offshore wind in the NY metro region, and our recent Testimony to the NY’s Public Service Commission in support of NYS offshore wind projects.