ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The former head of New York state's environmental agency is joining an organization pushing for offshore wind energy.
Joe Martens served as commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation from 2011 to 2015 in the administration of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He'll take over as director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance on Monday.
Martens says New York state is poised to lead the country in developing offshore wind power, which he called the wave of the future.
Wind energy is seen as a natural fit for areas off the Long Island coast because of suitable wind conditions and the proximity of a major energy market in New York City.
