LISEIA's Sail Van Nostrand & CCE's Adrienne Esposito
At a solar jobs fair today at Malloy College’s Suffolk campus on Long Island, we joined up with leaders from the business community, environmental advocates and the local labor movement to call on elected officials in Albany to pass the Solar Jobs Act – and soon!
“Long Island needs good jobs,” said Jim Castellane, President of the Nassau and Suffolk Building Trades Council. “This bill (A. 9149a – Englebright) would help create thousands of jobs installing solar panels – jobs that can’t leave the area – and make sure they pay good wages. Thousands of out-of-work New Yorkers are counting on our elected officials to pass this legislation.”
» Read the rest of this entry «
The tri-state region is, for the first time, well positioned to become a national and global player in solar energy – so says a new report from the Regional Plan Association, the nation’s oldest independent regional planning organization focused on improving the quality of life in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan area. Download the report here.
“Solar is a vital component of a larger clean energy portfolio,” said Jessie Feller, director of Regional Plan Association’s energy program. “Together with other sustainable options, including wind and hydro power, increased energy efficiency and the repowering of old, inefficient power plants, solar can play a key role in improving environmental health and fostering economic development in the region.” » Read the rest of this entry «
There is some serious solar momentum in New York State. More than 100 state legislators have signed on to co-sponsor strong new solar policy. Governor Cuomo called for more solar in his ‘State of the State’ address. And thousands of New Yorkers have already spoken up in support of the New York Solar Jobs Act. But naysayers are doing all they can to derail that progress. We need your help keeping it on track!
» Read the rest of this entry «
For a couple years now we’ve been working hard alongside our coalition partners to get the Solar Jobs Act across the finish line in New York State. If passed, the bill would set a new 5 GW solar goal in the Empire State – making it one of the biggest potential policy wins for solar anywhere in the country in the year ahead. With 24,000 members of the global solar industry converging for the Solar Power International conference last month, we took the opportunity to gather industry and advocates together in one giant party display of support for NY solar.
What a fun evening! It was great to see so many friends and colleagues turn out in support. The party may be over, but the work has just begun. “Like” the New York Solar Jobs Act on Facebook to track the bill’s progress and get involved in the campaign in the months ahead.
We just need to show the legislators a sign. A really big sign. Literally.
We’d like to buy space on an electronic billboard on the 787 Interstate–practically the driveway of the Capitol. We have some chuckle worthy messages that send a clear directive: Pass the Solar Jobs Act today.
There are two ways you can help make this happen:
First, can you donate to help cover the costs? At a minimum, we suggest 39 cents, which is the average monthly cost New Yorkers would be paying to jumpstart their new solar economy. But feel free to give more if you’d like.
Second, if you have your own clever suggestions for billboard tag lines, please share them in the comments. We’ll be updating our messages as the week unfolds.
To get your juices flowing, here’s our initial list of ideas (as suggested by our funnier friends):
When there is a huge solar energy spill, it’s just called “a nice day.”
We like The Egg…Sunny Side Up
Enough already with the fracking natural gas. Give solar a shot.
Solar Energy. The perfect combination of Woodstock and Wall Street
The Red Sox installed solar on their ball park. Just saying.
It’s the new energy economy, stupid.
The irony of the coal-powered billboard is not lost on us.
Solar: It’s actually a $30 billion global industry. Please do not tell the hippies.
NY Solar, what are you waiting for? A sign?
We could have a new energy economy for just 39 cents a month. Solar: It just makes cents.
Cost-effective solar energy is just around the corner… Really. This corner.
The sun’ll come out! Tomorrow! You can bet $20 billion dollars in increased wages. That…tomorrow! There’ll be sun!
Solar is 99.9% reliable in New York. You’re thinking of the moon-power panels. Those are useless.
Shovel Ready? You’re looking the wrong direction.
The Solar Industry does $1 billion a year of business in New Jersey.
I know. New freakin Jersey.
Don’t let 22,000 jobs be eclipsed by partisan politics.
Get it? Eclipse!
What about the huge, free nuclear power plant in the sky? What if we just used that?
Q: How many New Yorkers does it take to jumpstart a solar economy?
A: 22,198
Update: the deed is done!
Thanks for your monetary and comedic contributions to help make this happen.
