Cuomo commits to huge solar goal -6GW- in State of State
Over the last year, Vote Solar has helped lead the Million Solar Strong New York campaign with a coalition of industry, environmental, clean energy advocacy partners, and with the support of dozens of lawmakers, calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to establish a goal of 1 million solar-powered homes across New York by 2023, the equivalent of 6 gigawatts (GW) of distributed solar development.
We’re thrilled that in today’s State of the State briefing book, Governor Cuomo committed to doubling New York’s distributed solar development to 6GW by 2025. This is a huge and immediate victory for New York families and businesses as the state charges forward in its quest to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity and tackle climate change.
Following is a statement from Sean Garren, Senior Northeast Director at Vote Solar, who led the Million Solar Strong New York campaign:
“Following his bold commitment to 100 percent clean energy, Governor Cuomo took a historic step today to tackle climate change head-on by ensuring that families, business, and communities all across New York can immediately benefit in the process through solar. We are thrilled by Governor Cuomo’s announced doubling the state’s solar development by 2025 and build enough solar to power one million homes.
“Achieving an equitable clean energy economy will only happen when all New Yorkers, including low-income families and disadvantaged communities, benefit from the clean energy transition, and we will continue pushing lawmakers and working with allies on the frontlines of this movement to ensure that the transition to clean energy serves all New Yorkers.
“With Governor Cuomo’s commitment to one million solar customers, New York will put thousands to work, save millions on electric bills, and spur local economic investments and opportunity to communities all across the state. Vote Solar launched the Million Solar Strong New York campaign with environmental and industry partners to immediately put the people of New York at the center of our power system. We will continue working with the administration and the legislature to meet this goal and ensure that the growing solar economy meaningfully serves all New Yorkers, including at least 100,000 low-income families. We are grateful to the Governor for heeding our call for a solar-powered future.”