True love and solar power: they have a lot more in common than you might think. Both are exciting, reliable and empowering all at the same time. Both can light up your life. And both need long-term commitment in order to thrive. And so with our campaign to get New York to commit to solar in full swing, we’re taking a page from the book of TV’s most eligible bachelor – solar’s own Ryan P.
Photo credit: Karina Marchese/REC Solar, Inc.
For those who aren’t already tuning in, Ryan is one of the 25 or so contestants vying for the heart of The Bachelorette this season. And so far, he seems to be lucky in love. In last week’s episode, the 31-year-old Director of Business Development from REC Solar earned the coveted “First Impression” rose.
We like to believe it’s his sexy industry that set him apart.
If state government was reality TV, the New York Solar Jobs Act would get our rose in a heartbeat. And it would appear that Ryan agrees:
“There are plenty of reasons to love solar energy. Solar creates jobs and economic opportunity. It delivers safe, reliable energy right where and when we need it most. It taps a free local energy resource. It’s a perfect match for New York, and time for lawmakers to get serious about solar and pass the New York Solar Jobs Act.
Solar isn’t just a career, it’s a passion of mine. I love helping people realize the benefits of clean, powerful solar energy for their homes and businesses, and I want to see New Yorkers have these same opportunities. Let’s get the New York Solar Jobs Act passed, and build our clean energy future right here, right now, in New York.”
Once one of our nation’s real solar powerhouses, the Empire State’s solar program hasn’t moved beyond the pilot phase to keep up with New Yorkers’ rising demand. That inadequate policy has driven a cycle of fits and starts rather than strong, consistent market growth. As a result, the state is losing jobs, investment and a whole host of public health and environmental benefits to other states with stronger policies in place. Just over its borders, New Jersey has a solar program that added 137 megawatts of new capacity in 2010 alone. That’s nearly twice as much as the 54 megawatts that have been installed in all of New York’s solar history.
It’s like New York has the policy equivalent of an on-again-off-again relationship. We say, enough with the games. No more mixed signals. Pass the New York Solar Jobs Act and make a clear, long-term commitment to solar power already.
The Solar Jobs Act charts an aggressive but achievable path for New York to get 3% of its power from solar by 2025. If passed, the program would jumpstart a diverse and competitive solar market, support tens of thousands of new jobs, and generate billions of dollars in economic output in the state. And the policy draws on lessons learned and proven best practices to deliver those high economic returns at low ratepayer cost. New York lawmakers only have until Jun 20th to get the bill across the finish line. It’s time to put a ring on it.
