Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. Photo courtesy
Attentive Energy One, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and RiseLight & Power, visited the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens this month to announce a $1.5 million commitment towards a new Teen Academy as part of its proposal to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The project will construct an offshore wind farm, which willdeliver emissions-free energy to over 700,000 homes via the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long IslandCity, permanently replacing 400 MW of fossil fuel generation.
The Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens offers a range of programs, including sports leagues, arts and crafts, and academic enrichment programs, while providing a safe, nurturing environment for young people to grow and learn. For several years, the Club has undertaken a bold capital campaign to replace its current 1950s-era clubhouse. In September 2022, the Club announced that its new facility – which will expand capacity from 4,000 to 16,000 youth – will be fully carbon neutral, demonstrating dedication to environmental justice and climate goals. The facility could break ground as soon as the end of 2023 and willcontain more than 120,000 square feet of clubhouse space alongside 229 units of affordable and supportive housing. Attentive Energy’s commitment of $1.5 million would allow for the construction and fit-out of a new Teen Center within the Club, focused on increasing the amount of STEM education and strengtheningpartnerships with local public schools.
The Attentive Energy One project is unwavering in its commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives that positively impact Western Queens, and empowering the neighborhood through education, workforcedevelopment, and the promotion of a just transition of the union workforce to renewable energy. This investment is targeted to ensure the Club can maximize its offerings related to STEM education and climate science, inspiring and equipping tomorrow’s leaders to participate in the green economy. In parallel, Attentive Energy One is a keystone project in Rise Light & Power’s Renewable Ravenswood vision, transforming Ravenswood Generating Station from New York City’s largest power plant to a hub of renewable energy. This vision was developed in partnership with local community and environmental justice voices as well as NYCHA leaders to ensure local economic benefits accrue to community members. This partnership with Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens is a direct result of that feedback.
“We are proud to support the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens and the important work they do to invest in our children’s futures,” said Clint Plummer, CEO of Rise Light & Power. “Investing in our youth and STEM education topics such as climate and energy builds a brighter future for us all. The Club and its leadership have stewarded a transformative vision for the new clubhouse, and we are proud to partner to continue to provide resources for residents of Astoria, Long Island City, and beyond.”
“Attentive Energy is excited to propose the nation’s first renewable repowering with offshore wind along with a suite of accompanying investments in workforce development and education. We fully supportefforts that lead to a just transition for Western Queens and the City as a whole, and confident in institutions like Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens to ensure young people are equipped to play a meaningful role in that opportunity,” said Damian Bednarz, Managing Director of Attentive Energy.
“We are grateful for the support of Attentive Energy and Rise Light & Power,” said CostaConstantinides, CEO of Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. “Along with their transformativework to deliver a Renewable Ravenswood, their commitment to the community and our young people is truly inspiring. With their help, we will be able to provide even more resources and opportunities for thechildren of Queens.”
