Empire Wind and the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity (BCTC) have joined hands to announce the signing of a project labour agreement (PLA) for the construction of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT). This agreement marks a significant milestone in Equinor’s development of the Empire Wind offshore wind project.
The revitalization of SBMT is poised to play a pivotal role as a staging and assembly site for Equinor’s Empire Wind project, as well as serving as its operations and maintenance base. This PLA, a first-of-its-kind for Equinor, underscores the company’s commitment to responsible construction practices, leveraging New York’s highly skilled union construction workforce.
The agreement is designed to establish robust working standards, industry-leading safety practices, and equity in the construction of the terminal. It is anticipated to create over 1000 union construction jobs and apprenticeships in local New York communities, in addition to fostering thousands of indirect jobs in manufacturing, shipping, and logistics sectors.
Moreover, the PLA emphasizes engagement with Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB). It includes a local hire requirement, prioritizing union members who are Section 3 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents, veterans, and individuals residing in Sunset Park.
Molly Morris, President of Equinor Renewables Americas, emphasized the significance of the PLA in promoting job creation and industry growth. She highlighted the role of SBMT as a transformative hub in the offshore wind industry and expressed gratitude to key stakeholders, including Senator Chuck Schumer, for their support.
The PLA ensures labor harmony during the construction phase, establishes uniform wages and benefits, and guarantees a steady supply of New York labor throughout the project’s duration.
Construction at SBMT is set to commence imminently, starting with the demolition of existing structures, site excavation, and bulkhead preparation work. Skanska, GE-BOND, and Nexans are among the contractors covered by the agreement.
In addition to the PLA, Empire Wind has made significant investments through its Ecosystem Fund to train and educate New Yorkers for future job opportunities in offshore wind.
Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity, hailed the signing of the PLA as a crucial step in advancing clean energy initiatives and creating quality union careers.
Representatives from GE Vernova and Nexans also expressed their commitment to the project and emphasized the importance of local workforce engagement in driving the energy transition forward.