With The Green New Deal Shining Light on Clean Energy, Solar Advocates Light Up Albany to Codify Solar Goals
Clean energy advocates, solar industry leaders, and activists from across New York State head to Albany
New York – As Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature consider renewable energy proposals that will reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, address climate change, reduce energy bills while creating new jobs, solar advocates on Tuesday are launching a day of action to get leaders behind the Million Solar Strong New York Campaign.
The campaign seeks to have 1 million homes in New York, including 100,000 low-income households, powered with solar over the next five years.
Pictured: Solar energy advocates with clean energy champions Assembly Member Latrice Walker and Senator Kevin Parker
“The window to take action on climate change is quickly closing, and New York has a responsibility to take a bold step forward,” said Sean Garren, northeast senior director at Vote Solar. “We are encouraged by the enthusiasm in Albany for clean energy. We’re calling on lawmakers to match their enthusiasm with urgency and support legislation that puts New York on a path to immediate renewable leadership and policies that unlock the cost-savings and environmental benefits of solar for one million households.”
As part of the Green New Deal he unveiled in his recent State of the State address, Governor Cuomo set the goal of 6 gigawatts of solar energy, which advocates like Vote Solar say is enough to meet their goal of 1 million homes if the commitment is soon codified into law by the state legislature.
As part of their day of action, Vote Solar and the other advocates will meet with lawmakers at the state Capitol in Albany and also use digital outreach to call on thousands of activists urging them to contact the governor and their lawmakers on the issue.
The call comes weeks after The Solar Foundation’s Solar Jobs Census showed New York ranked #4 in the nation for solar jobs growth in 2018. While the Trump Administration tariffs caused a national decline in solar jobs, New York’s past environmental policies have helped the state remain a national leader on clean energy and bring bill savings and jobs to communities across the state.
Groups participating in Tuesday’s day of action include Vote Solar, Alliance for Clean Energy, New York Solar Industries Association, New Yorkers for Clean Power, Acadia Center, Coalition for Community Solar Access, and Clearway Energy.
“New Yorkers are saving money on their electric bills by choosing community solar, now it’s time to expand this proven model across the state, said Jeff Cramer, executive director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). “The unparalleled benefits community solar provides the local grid and local communities cannot be overlooked as a part of New York’s energy future.”