MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF INDIVIDUAL ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN SUBWAY CRIME AND PREVIOUS HATE CRIME

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after Frank Abrokwa was released from custody after allegedly smearing a woman with feces, facing charges, being released, being immediately rearrested for a 2021 hate crime, and then being released again:

 

“This individual should not be out on the streets of New York and his release shows the scope of changes that we need to make in order to keep New Yorkers safe. It is the result of a failed mental health system, a failed housing and support system, and failing criminal justice laws that allow someone with a history of violence who poses a clear threat to public safety to just walk out of court. We can’t allow this horrific situation to be the status quo and must make changes to our laws to both prevent these sort of attacks, through intervention and support, and, when they happen, to subsequently keep people who are clearly a danger to others off the street.”

NYC Employees’ Retirement System Votes To Divest From Russian Securities

 

 The trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) voted Wednesday to approve a resolution directing the Comptroller to carry out the divestment of the System’s investments in securities issued by Russian companies, beginning with those identified by the United States government as financing, supporting or enabling the Putin regime.

The New York City Employees’ Retirement System is one the nation’s largest municipal retirement funds in the United States with over 350,000 active members and retirees. The System held approximately $31.1 million in Russian securities at the close of business on February 25. As of December 31, 2021, the System had $88.2 billion in total assets under management (AUM).

“As the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by the Putin regime continues, the investment risks, economic volatility, and calls for an immediate end to these acts of aggressions by the global community have only grown,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Today’s vote by the New York City Employees’ Retirement System sends both a strong signal of solidarity with the Ukranian people and reinforces the commitment of NYCERS to safeguard the assets of the System’s thousands of beneficiaries.”

“Freedom cannot be denied, here or anywhere. That’s why I stand in support of efforts to divest the city’s pension funds from Russian assets in light of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine — an unprovoked and unjustified war,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This is not about penalizing the Russian people, but about holding President Putin and his government accountable for violating a nation’s sovereignty and inflicting widespread suffering on its people. Our administration is committed to standing with Ukrainians and refugees here and abroad while doing all we can to advance peace, in collaboration with the community and our federal partners.”

“Together with my trustee to the New York City Employees’ Retirement System Board, I am proud to support this divestment, and to support the Ukrainian people under attack. New York City should take every action available to hold Russia to account and help end the suffering caused by Putin’s aggression and oppression. Divesting NYCERS from securities issued by Russian companies answers both a moral and fiscal obligation as we work to ensure the long-term health and stability of New Yorkers’ pensions, and I thank the Comptroller for leading this effort,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

“Russian’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is an atrocity,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “Our actions today, while largely symbolic, convey the right messages at the right time to the Russian government. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and our main priority now is to help Ukraine remain free.”

“Today’s announcement that NYCERS will divest from Russian assets is a step in the right direction. As New Yorkers, we have a responsibility to set an example for the world and ensure our investments reflect our values. I am proud that NYCERS has taken this action and fully support their decision. Our City must be willing to use its financial muscle to stand up for what is right and just,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“New York City must be a leader in standing up to this immoral war in Ukraine, and that includes divesting our municipal pensions from Russian assets,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I hope other cities around the country and the world follow the excellent example set today by the NYCERS board and Comptroller’s office.”

“Given the unprovoked attacks on a sovereign country, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President supports NYCERS’ divestment from funds according to the Comptroller’s resolution,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Brooklyn, specifically Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay, is home to the largest Ukrainian community outside of that nation. We stand with Ukrainian Brooklynites and those whose loved ones remain in Ukraine.”

“Russia’s vicious and unjust invasion of Ukraine has caused a heartbreaking human catastrophe, senselessly stealing countless lives and forcing nearly one million innocent Ukrainian families on harrowing journeys across the nation’s borders toward a safer, yet uncertain existence. New York City stands in lockstep with Ukraine in opposition to this crime against humanity, and I was proud to vote in favor of NYCERS’ critical, commonsense divestment from Russian securities,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The global community has come down swiftly and severely on Putin and his enablers for their heinous war, and, as demonstrated today, New York City takes its responsibility in this shared action seriously.”

“Labor unions stand for freedom. Now is the time for us to act against inhumanity and aggression. Putin’s Russia has no place in our investment portfolio. We support the people of Ukraine,” said President of Teamsters Local 237 Gregory Floyd.

“As a NYCERS trustee and as Executive Director of District Council 37, AFSCME, New York City’s largest municipal union, I am strongly in support of the action taken by the NYCERS Board of Trustees today to divest all of NYCERS’ holdings in Russia. We have taken this action to register our condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state, and to affirm our support for the Ukrainian people. District Council 37 has been a strong supporter of liberty and human rights around the world. We are proud to stand in solidarity with Ukraine,” said Executive Director of District Council 37, AFSCME, Henry Garrido.

In addition to Comptroller Lander, the trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System include: Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Representative Cynthia Collins (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Borough Presidents: Mark Levine (Manhattan), Donovan Richards (Queens), Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn), Vito Fossella (Staten Island), and Vanessa Gibson (Bronx); Henry Garrido, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; Tony Utano, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; and Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

The full resolution approved by the New York City Employees’ Retirement System is available here.

NYC COMPTROLLER, PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALL FOR NEW SAFETY MEASURES AS SOME COVID-19 PROTECTIONS ARE LIFTED

 

 New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander today called on Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi to take several steps to protect New Yorkers in our schools and around the city as the administration moves to lift some existing COVID-19 prevention and protection policies. Mayor Adams announced this week that he would be removing masks in public schools as well, as vaccine mandates on March 7th if case counts remain low.

In a joint letter to the Adams administration, the two citywide elected officials implored the administration to take steps now to both prevent future outbreaks and adapt quickly when they do occur. They stressed that while case counts remain low now, we must prepare today for tomorrow’s possible new variants and surges. New York has an obligation to protect our vulnerable and immunocompromised neighbors, and it can better do so by taking preventative action and implementing safety standards now.

 

The leaders lament in their letter that “so many policies over the last two years have been confusing to communities and divorced from the science,” in their request for specific, science-backed efforts that the administration should quickly implement as they continue to move to rescind existing measures.

These actions include bolstering the city’s preparations by:

• Preserving a broad surveillance testing program
• Making clear to New Yorkers what the metrics are for easing and imposing new restrictions going forward
• Preparing now to rapidly expand our testing and response capacity at the first sign of a next variant or surge
• Maintaining adequate public health infrastructure and personnel
• Keeping a focus on vaccination and education in vulnerable communities

And helping keep students, teachers, parents and school staff safe now by:

• Announcing a requirement for full COVID vaccination for students to return to school next fall, as part of the City’s standard vaccination requirements
• Continuing the in-school COVID testing program
• Ensuring that communications of school related COVID policies are communicated to families in the official New York City languages
• Focusing COVID-19 testing, outreach, and on-site vaccination/booster clinics
• Developing a long-term ventilation and air quality strategy to move past stop-gap measures
• Providing every school and contracted PreK and 3K with a consistent supply of high quality masks
• Offering an opt-in approach for teachers and students who wish to remain in all-masked classrooms

“With COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths currently back at low rates, it makes sense for the City to ease some restrictions – but it must be done with systems in place to protect vulnerable New Yorkers, to detect future variants early, and to respond quickly,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “We know future variants are likely, so we must be prepared for when they hit. We know vaccination saves lives, so let’s make clear now that it will be required for entry to school next fall. We can breathe easier when we take off our masks if we’re still working together to keep each other safe.”

“We know that as cases decrease, we will have to make difficult decisions about gradually easing some of the COVID policies in place as part of the work to find a new normalcy that works for New Yorkers; at the same time, the decisions to lift safety measures that have helped to protect New Yorkers amid new waves and new variants need to be guided by the science, not the calendar,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “We need clarity, transparency, and clear communication from the city and all levels of government on how we will prepare for and prevent future outbreaks. I urge New Yorkers to do what we know works to protect one another, and New York’s executives to move forward only in a way that ensures we don’t end up going backward.”

The full text of the letter from Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Williams can be downloaded here.

TV Producer For Russian Oligarch Charged With Violating Crimea-Related Sanctions

 

Jack Hanick Worked for Konstantin Malofeyev in Violation of United States Sanctions and Made False Statements to FBI Agents to Conceal His Sanctions-Violating Conduct

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today the unsealing of the first-ever criminal indictment charging a violation of United States sanctions arising from the 2014 Russian undermining of democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine. JOHN HANICK, a/k/a “Jack Hanick,” a United States citizen, is charged with violations of United States sanctions and false statements in connection with his years-long work for the sanctioned Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev. Pursuant to the request of the United States, HANICK was provisionally arrested on February 3, 2022, in London, the United Kingdom, with a view toward extradition.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Konstantin Malofeyev is closely tied to Russian aggression in Ukraine, having been determined by OFAC to have been one of the main sources of financing for the promotion of Russia-aligned separatist groups operating in the sovereign nation of Ukraine. The United States sanctions on Malofeyev prohibit United States citizens from working for or doing business with Malofeyev but as alleged, Hanick violated those sanctions by working directly for Malofeyev on multiple television projects over the course of several years. The Indictment unsealed today shows this Office’s commitment to the enforcement of laws intended to hamstring those who would use their wealth to undermine fundamental democratic processes. This Office will continue to be a leader in the Justice Department’s work to hold accountable actors who would support flagrant and unjustified acts of war.”

“The Justice Department will do everything it can to stamp out Russian aggression and interference,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “As alleged in the indictment, the Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev was previously sanctioned for threatening Ukraine and providing financial support to the Donetsk separatist region. The defendant Hanick knowingly chose to  help Malofeyev spread his destabilizing messages by establishing, or attempting to establish, TV networks in Russia, Bulgaria, and Greece, in violation of those sanctions.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Sanctions imposed by the United States government are in place to protect our national interests, as well as the interests of our allies around the world.  As alleged, Mr. Hanick worked for the benefit of Konstantin Malofeyev, a Specially Designated National under Executive Order 13660 who provided significant financing for Russians promoting separatism in Crimea in 2014.  The action we have taken today should serve as an example to all that we will use all the resources at our disposal to aggressively enforce our nation’s sanctions.”

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

In 2014, the President issued Executive Order 13,660, which declared a national emergency with respect to the situation in Ukraine. To address this national emergency, the President blocked all property and interest in property that came within the United States or the possession or control of any United States person, of individuals determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be responsible for or complicit in, or who engaged in, actions or policies that threatened the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine, or who materially assist, sponsor, or provide financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to, individuals or entities engaging in such activities. Executive Order 13,660, along with certain regulations issued pursuant to it (the “Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations”) prohibits, among other things, making or receiving any funds, goods, or services by, to, from, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked. 

On December 19, 2014, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Konstantin Malofeyev as a Specially Designated National (“SDN”) pursuant to Executive Order 13,660. OFAC’s designation of Malofeyev explained that he was one of the main sources of financing for Russians promoting separatism in Crimea, and has materially assisted, sponsored, and provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, a separatist organization in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk.

As alleged in the Indictment, HANICK worked directly for and for the benefit of Malofeyev from at least in or about 2013 through at least in or about 2017, and continued to engage in this conduct after OFAC listed Malofeyev as a SDN, in violation of the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Regulations. Beginning in at least 2013, Malofeyev began planning to create a new Russian cable television news network (the “Russian TV Network”), and HANICK began traveling to Russian in early 2013 to meet with Malofeyev regarding these plans. In or about July 2013, HANICK moved to Russia to work for Malofeyev on the Russian television network, after negotiating the terms of his employment directly with Malofeyev, including the salary he would receive, payment for his housing in Moscow, and his Russian work visa.

HANICK continued to work for and report directly to Malofeyev after OFAC designated Malofeyev as a SDN in December 2014. For instance, in January 2015, HANICK wrote an email to Malofeyev that a draft policy for the Russian TV Network was meant “to implement your vision and to provide you with information for you to make decisions … You are the founder and chief architect of the project. We, as board members have the responsibility to direct the staff to implement your instructions.” The Russian TV Network went on the air in Russia in or about April 2015. HANICK played a leadership role at the network, described at various times in emails from 2015 through 2017 as “Board Chairman,” “General Producer,” “chairman of the HR committee,” and “General Advisor” for the Russian TV Network. HANICK reported directly to Malofeyev regarding the network’s operations and was listed on organizational charts directly below Malofeyev. HANICK was paid for his work through two Russian entities that were nominally separate from the Russian TV Network, but his compensation was overseen by Malofeyev, negotiated with Malofeyev, and was for his work for Malofeyev’s Russian TV Network. HANICK wired a portion of the payments he received from a Russian bank account to a bank account he held at a bank located in New York, New York.

HANICK also worked for Malofeyev on a project to establish and run a Greek television network and on efforts to acquire a Bulgarian television network. At Malofeyev’s direction, Hanick traveled to Greece and to Bulgaria on multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016 to work on these initiatives, and reported directly back to Malofeyev on his work. For instance, in November 2015, HANICK wrote to Malofeyev that the Greek television network would be an “opportunity to detail Russia’s point of view on Greek TV.” In connection with Malofeyev’s efforts to acquire the Bulgarian television network, HANICK took steps to conceal Malofeyev’s role in the acquisition by arranging to travel to Bulgaria with another person identified by a Greek associate of Malofeyev, so that it would appear the buyer was a Greek national rather than Malofeyev.

In February 2021, FBI agents interviewed HANICK about his work for Malofeyev, and HANICK made false statements about his work for Malofeyev, including the false statements that Malofeyev had no involvement in HANICK’s travel to Bulgaria, and that HANICK did not know that Malofeyev had any connection to the attempt to acquire the Bulgarian television network until afterward.

HANICK, 71, is a United States citizen who most recently has resided in London. The sanctions charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The false statements charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

On March 2, 2022, the Attorney General announced the launch of Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  The task force will leverage all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and thanked the support and expertise of the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs in the conduct of this matter.

[1] The entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Permits Filed For 315 Grand Concourse In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 13-story mixed-use building at 315 Grand Concourse in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located between East 138th and East 140th Streets, the interior lot is steps from the 138th Street-Grand Concourse subway station, serviced by the 4 and 5 trains. Yechial Lichtenstein of Mint Development Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 134-foot-tall development will yield 192,026 square feet, with 184,986 square feet designated for residential space and 7,040 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 240 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 770 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 44-foot-long rear yard, and 82 enclosed parking spaces.

Fischer Makooi Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO TRANSFORM SOUTH BROOKLYN MARINE TERMINAL INTO LEADING OFFSHORE WIND HUB

 

Terminal to Become One of Largest Offshore Wind Port Facilities in Nation

Agreement Will Create Major Economic Opportunity and Investments, Support 13,000 Local Jobs Over Time and Over 1,000 at SBMT

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced an agreement that will transform the city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) into one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation. The agreement will help establish New York as a leader in offshore wind and help the New York City meet its nation-leading climate goals of 100 percent clean electricity by 2040.

 

As part of the deal finalized by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Equinor, its partner — bp — and Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, L.P. (SSBMT) will upgrade and build out the terminal as an operations and maintenance base. The terminal will become a power interconnection site for the Empire Wind 1 project, and heavy lift platforms will be built on the 39^th Street Pier for wind turbine staging and installation for Equinor and other developers. The port will serve as a hub to support the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind offshore wind farms.

 

NYCEDC also partnered with Equinor and the community to support workforce training for a diverse pool of local residents to bolster opportunities for New Yorkers created by investments in offshore wind infrastructure. The agreement expands the target of minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) contractors based in and registered with New York City or New York State, with a 30 percent M/WBE participation goal; and will support technical assistance for M/WBE and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises to create more opportunities for participation in this sustainable growth industry. Additionally, the agreement ensures the development will be a low-emissions facility.

 

“With this investment, the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will soon be transformed into one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “This site will be the launch of a whole new industry for New York City that will support 13,000 local jobs over time, generate $1.3 billion in average annual investment citywide, and significantly reduce our carbon footprint so that we can meet our climate goals of 100 percent clean electricity by 2040. This is a transformative moment for New York City and our clean energy future — a future of sustainable power, good-paying jobs, and climate justice.”

 

“This first major milestone in New York City’s Offshore Wind Vision Plan is a perfect example of how our economic and workforce development objectives must go hand in hand with our clean energy goals. By building this new industry in the right way, we will continue to advance an equitable recovery and make our environment healthier as well,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “We thank NYCEDC and our partners at Equinor, bp, and SSBMT for coming together to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a major offshore wind hub and make New York City a leading destination for this important and growing industry.” 

 

“Economic, racial, and gender equity is what informs and drives our work every day,” said Magalie Desroches Austin, senior advisor to the mayor; and director, Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. “We’re excited to support and collaborate with our partners at the NYCEDC and at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal on this highly important initiative. Not only is this a capital investment in New York City’s offshore wind energy, its accompanying infrastructure, and the emerging work force critical to the long-term sustainability of the greatest city on earth, but it also helps to meaningfully and positively move the needle on the mayor’s commitment to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and the diverse workforce they employ. We look forward to the many long-term benefits this investment will have on New York City’s environmental footprint, its labor force, and the myriad of M/WBEs that make New York City unique.”

 

Equinor also committed to establishing a $5 million ecosystem fund to bring more New York City residents into offshore wind careers, propel offshore wind innovation, and support a just transition. Finally, Equinor is working to establish an offshore wind learning center —  accessible to the community — within its Brooklyn office. 

 

Today’s announcement is critical to the offshore wind priorities and investments of both New York City and New York State. The city has committed $191 million to offshore wind projects — including $57 million in support of SBMT and $134 million in new investments. The city expects these initiatives to remove more than 34 million tons of CO2 from the environment — the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from roadways for 15 years — while creating 13,000 jobs related to offshore wind infrastructure across the five boroughs. SBMT will be essential to the state’s offshore wind supply chain. Currently, five offshore wind projects are in active development, which will power more than 2.4 million New York’s homes and bring a combined economic impact of $12.1 billion to the state. 

 

In 2018, NYCEDC selected SSBMT — in a partnership between Industry City and Red Hook Terminals — as the leaseholder to reactivate the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal so that it can create a 21^st-century maritime shipping hub with an on-site facility to train local talent. Under this agreement, SSBMT is entering into a sublease with Equinor and bp until 2054 for its operations and maintenance base, and its onshore substation. Under the same agreement, Equinor and bp will have a 10-year term for turbine staging and installation activities with an option to extend the 10-year term for up to six additional years. 

 

“We are enormously proud to lay the groundwork today for our vision of making New York City a nation-leading hub for the offshore wind industry. This agreement builds on the city’s $57 million commitment to reactivate SBMT as a key manufacturing and operations base and will help make New York a leader in climate resiliency, as well as air quality, through clean energy investments,” said Lindsay Greene, officer and executive vice president, NYCEDC. “Working together with our partners at Equinor, bp, and SSBMT, we are also advancing economic recovery and increasing diversity in waterfront construction by helping local minority- and women-owned business enterprises benefit from the growing offshore wind industry and allowing them to take advantage of the green jobs of the future.”  

 

“This agreement marks a major step forward in our commitment to New York State to both provide renewable power and to spark fresh economic activity, while creating enduring jobs,” said Siri Espedal Kindem, president, Equinor Wind U.S. “With the support of NYCEDC, SSBMT, and our partners in the community, Equinor and bp are ready and eager to invest in the revitalization of SBMT — an historic port that will soon become a major part of New York’s energy future. New York has shown unflagging determination to become a focal point of the region’s offshore wind industry, and this agreement offers tangible evidence that this vision is quickly coming to life.”

 

“Today marks the first of many positive ripple effects from this project and we want them to reverberate far and wide,” said Felipe Arbelaez, senior vice president for Zero Carbon Energy, bp. “As we reinvent energy, we also want to help reinvent the communities that help deliver it by investing in the skills and capabilities needed. By creating this regional hub, we are able to do just that, and it brings us all one step closer to delivering this incredible offshore wind development.” 

 

“After decades of advocating to bring offshore wind to South Brooklyn, UPROSE is happy to see this climate justice victory progress in a community with a legacy of fossil fuel pollution and health disparities,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, executive director, UPROSE; and co-chair, New York City Offshore Wind Advisory Council. “UPROSE and the Sunset Park community have long fought to preserve the industrial character of New York City’s largest industrial waterfront. Offshore wind is an opportunity to center racial justice and operationalize a true just transition by supporting the community-led vision for a green re-industrialization and creating thousands of well-paying local green jobs.”

 

New York City’s Offshore Wind Vision Plan

 

In the fall 2021, NYCEDC announced a 15-year Offshore Wind Vision Plan to make New York City a leading destination for the industry by developing best-in-class infrastructure to support the construction and operation of offshore wind farms in the New York Bight, including infrastructure to support manufacturing, staging and installation, operations and maintenance, and transmission. The $191 million investment puts New York City on a path to reduce 34.5 million tons of CO2, as well as meet its goals of 100 percent clean electricity by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050. The Offshore Wind Vision Plan is aimed at creating more than 13,000 jobs and generate $1.3 billion in average annual investment, with 40 percent of job and investment benefits directed toward women- and minority-owned businesses and environmental justice communities. The New York Bight is the coastal area between Long Island and the New Jersey coast.  

 

Regional Offshore Wind Future 

 

New York City’s goal is to have 70 percent of its energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2030. Under the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State has set goals of securing 70 percent of the state's electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and the installation of nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Equinor and bp have contracts for three offshore wind projects in New York — totaling more than 3,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. 

 

In January, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the state finalized contracts for Equinor and bp’s Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind projects off Long Island, which unlocked an unprecedented public and private funding commitment of $644 million in port infrastructure, including more than $287 million for SBMT. As part of an award from NYSERDA, the developers will convert SBMT and the Port of Albany into large-scale offshore wind industry facilities. 

 

Further, in December 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the full $25 million that the city requested from the federal Maritime Administration (MARAD) through the 2021 Port Infrastructure Development Grants (PIDP). The grant for the “SBMT 35th Street Pier Expansion Project” at Sunset Park is intended to add a barge berth and a heavy-lift crane pad on the western end of the 35^th Street Pier. The PIDP grant provides additional funds to expand on city, state, and Equinor funding for 39^th Street Pier improvements, as well as Equinor’s operations and maintenance facility and Equinor’s interconnection substation. The addition of 35^th Street Pier improvements increases SBMT’s cargo throughput capacity and operational efficiencies, allowing SBMT to further serve the growth of the offshore wind industry in New York City. 

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Major League Baseball Season

 

"Major League Baseball and its related economic impacts are critical to the State of New York and to our pandemic recovery. New York is not only home to the league, but also to thousands of New Yorkers, including many in the Bronx and Queens, whose livelihoods depend on games happening at our stadiums as scheduled.

"There is nothing more powerful than when Americans are united around a common purpose. I'm heartened by how united our country has become in support of democracy and the people of Ukraine fighting for freedom against heinous attacks from Russia. I know that baseball is also a uniting force in our country, and a symbol to the world of optimism, teamwork and American values. As we continue to build back from this pandemic and help our communities recover from the pain and suffering over the past two years, New Yorkers, and all Americans, deserve the joy and hope that baseball brings us each spring. I spoke with the involved parties recently and urged them to come to the bargaining table with solutions and work toward getting the season started. Play ball."

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Warns Consumers Impacted by T-Mobile Data Breach of Potential Identity Theft

 

AG James Urges Current, Former, and Prospective T-Mobile Customers to Stay Vigilant and Take Action to Prevent Identity Theft 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today provided guidance to consumers who may have been impacted by a 2021 T-Mobile data breach, following reports that the stolen information was put for sale on the dark web. Alongside a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, Attorney General James advised all New York residents who believe they were impacted by the data breach to take appropriate steps to protect their information from identity theft. This comes after several individuals received alerts that their information was circulating online following the August 2021 data breach.

“I have an urgent message for T-Mobile customers and other consumers: Be aware of any misuse of your personal information and follow the guidance provided by my office to protect yourself from identity theft,” said Attorney General James. “Information stolen in a massive data breach has fallen into the wrong hands and is circulating on the dark web. The guidance offered by my office can help prevent identity theft. I advise all New Yorkers to maintain their financial safety by following the guidance my office has laid out. No consumer should have to deal with the devastating realities of identity theft.”  

In August 2021, T-Mobile reported a massive data breach compromising the sensitive personal information of millions of current, former, and prospective T-Mobile customers. The breach impacted more than 53 million individuals, including more than 4 million New Yorkers. Among other categories of impacted information, millions had their names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license information compromised.

Recently, a large subset of the information compromised in the breach was discovered for sale on the dark web — a hidden portion of the Internet where cyber criminals buy, sell, and track personal information. Many individuals received alerts through various identity theft protection services informing them that their information was found online in connection with the breach, confirming that impacted individuals are at heightened risk for identity theft.

Attorney General James urges anyone who believes they were impacted by the T-Mobile breach to take the following steps to protect themselves:

• Monitor your credit. Credit monitoring services track your credit report and alert you whenever a change is made, such as a new account or a large purchase. Most services will notify you within 24 hours of any change to your credit report.  

• Consider placing a free credit freeze on your credit report. Identity thieves will not be able to open a new credit account in your name while the freeze is in place. You can place a credit freeze by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus:
  • Equifax | https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
    +1 (888) 766-0008
  • Experian | https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
    +1 (888) 397-3742
  • TransUnion | https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
    +1 (800) 680-7289

• Place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert tells lenders and creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. You can place a fraud alert by contacting any one of the three major credit bureaus.

• Additional Resources. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, go to identitytheft.gov for assistance on how to report it and recover from it — or contact our office for help by completing and submitting a complaint with the Bureau of Internet and Technology or by calling (800) 771-7755.