Bill Overview
Title: OWNER Act
Description: OWNER Act This bill expands revenue sharing for offshore wind projects on the Outer Continental Shelf within the New York Bight Area, including for rentals, royalties, and bonus bids. The New York Bight Area is the area extending generally northeast from Cape May in New Jersey to Montauk Point on the eastern tip of Long Island, New York.
Sponsors: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Target Audience
Population: People in New York and New Jersey affected by offshore wind projects
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The OWNER Act focuses on revenue sharing for offshore wind projects within the New York Bight Area.
- The New York Bight Area affects regions in both New Jersey and New York.
- Offshore wind energy projects can significantly affect local economies, energy prices, and job creation in the area.
- Relevant populations include those living in New Jersey and New York, specifically communities near the New York Bight Area.
- Revenue sharing may have financial implications for state economies and potentially reduce energy costs for residents.
Reasoning
- The OWNER Act targets revenue sharing from offshore wind projects in the New York Bight Area, impacting people in nearby regions of New Jersey and New York.
- Many people in the targeted areas are involved in the fishing industry or tourism and may worry about potential disruptions.
- Others may benefit from lower energy costs and new job opportunities from the growth of renewable energy industries.
- The economic boost from revenue sharing can potentially lead to improvements in local infrastructure, education, and community services.
- Given the target areas, the population affected includes urban and suburban communities with diverse economic backgrounds.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Long Island, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful this policy would drive energy costs down.
- It's important for us to have more sustainable energy sources.
- I worry a bit about how construction might affect local wildlife, but I believe the benefits outweigh the harms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Fisherman (Jersey City, NJ)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about how this might affect my fishing grounds.
- My livelihood depends on these waters.
- I hope there will be some form of compensation or alternative job opportunities as part of this act.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The OWNER Act could open up new business opportunities for energy tech companies like mine.
- Investment in sustainable energy is crucial for economic and environmental reasons.
- It's a forward-looking policy that could drive innovation in the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Renewable Energy Consultant (Newark, NJ)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction for clean energy adoption.
- Offshore wind energy is less intrusive than other forms of energy extraction.
- I believe this will set a precedent for future renewable energy policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Hotel Manager (Montauk, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tourism is significant here, and energy costs are crucial for us.
- I support renewable energy, as long as it doesn't disrupt the local beauty that draws tourists.
- I expect some positive long-term benefits if handled well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Activist (Cape May, NJ)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am deeply concerned about marine life disruptions from such projects.
- There needs to be a balance between energy development and environmental conservation.
- I urge the authorities to carry out comprehensive environmental assessments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Restaurant Owner (Atlantic City, NJ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing energy bills would be a massive relief for my business.
- This policy could help stabilize and potentially lower my operational costs.
- It's important for local businesses to have a stake in such developments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
College Student (Queens, NY)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited at the prospect of offshore wind energy being expanded.
- This could create new research opportunities and jobs for people like me.
- I hope this leads to more investments in clean energy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen the energy sector's evolution and welcome this shift to renewables.
- The OWNER Act appears to encourage necessary modernization in energy policy.
- While I think there will be challenges, the long-term gains are clear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Nurse (Newport, NJ)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy encourages healthier environments.
- Access to cleaner energy can reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life.
- I'm cautiously optimistic about the policy's implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $100000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $105000000)
Year 3: $85000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $100000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $130000000)
Year 10: $120000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $150000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $190000000)
Key Considerations
- Federal government revenue may decrease as more funds are allocated to state-level revenue sharing from offshore wind projects.
- State governments could use additional revenue for public services, potentially impacting state-level fiscal policies.
- The actual revenue sharing will depend on the rate at which offshore wind projects in the New York Bight Area develop and their profitability.
- The bill may encourage faster development and establishment of offshore wind farms, enhancing renewable energy capabilities.