Queens elected officials are joining advocates to urge New York State to support the bold new goal of powering one million New York households–including 100,000 low-income households–with solar by 2023. The effort is being organized by the Million Solar Strong Campaign, a movement of leading industry, environmental, clean energy and community organizations. The group, which held an event earlier this year in Long Island City, is gaining momentum with a number of prominent state and local leaders endorsing the call for more New York solar.
“New York can be a national leader in renewable energy and solar power is a great place to build our green energy future,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris. “I am pleased to join the Queens community in pushing for a strong plan for the future of our state.”
“I support the efforts of the Million Solar Strong Campaign to increase the number of solar powered households in the Empire State,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “The United Nations recently released a landmark report on climate change which painted an extremely bleak picture of the immediate effects of climate change. It is important that we shift away from fossil fuels and embrace clean and renewable energy. Solar energy can be a key ingredient to that necessary change. More importantly, it is imperative that who cannot afford the expenditure with the ability to have access to this form of energy. Not only will it help save the environment, but it will also provide lower income households with a cheaper and more sustainable form of energy.”
“It is important for New York to be at the forefront of renewable energy, and powering one million homes with solar energy is a great start,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “During this last Senate session I co-sponsored a bill (S.8049) that would extend the deadline for homeowners to apply for the solar electric generating system real property tax abatement program which gives homeowners a tax break if they install a solar electric generating system to their home. I am proud to jump on board the Million Solar Strong Campaign as this initiative will not only help improve the quality of life for residents, but will also bring thousands of green jobs to our state.”
“Solar panels save energy and money, which is good for the earth and good for residents,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “Solar energy is a positive alternative to fossil fuel because it is renewable at absolutely no cost and the supply is infinite. Under those conditions, I support the Million Solar Strong Campaign and its mission to increase solar usage.”
“The realities of climate change require bold and innovative responses such as investing in solar power to make renewable energy more accessible in our communities,” said Assembly Member Nily Rozic. “I applaud Million Solar Strong for their leadership and look forward to the work ahead in ensuring that New York is at the forefront of environmental conservation.”
“Clean energy and a green economy represent our future, and it is time for New York to lead the way in embracing these and other initiatives. Climate change has become one of—if not the most—serious threats to our world, and this an opportunity to not only preserve our planet but also transition towards clean, renewable energy and a more sustainable economy. I stand with the Million Solar Strong Campaign in urging the governor to support 1 million homes powered by solar energy—including 100,000 low-income households—by 2023,” said Assembly Member Ron Kim.
Making New York ‘One Million Solar Strong’ is the most important thing Governor Cuomo can do to protect and strengthen New York’s significant progress on solar. Currently, New York State has over 200,000 households powered by solar and 9,000 workers in the fast growing solar industry. Powering one million New York households with solar will generate jobs, reduce and stabilize utility bills, stimulate local investment, cut harmful air pollution, accelerate an equitable transition to our clean energy future, and counter the Trump Administration’s attacks.
The coalition is calling on Governor Cuomo to institute and support concrete policies to reach the one million solar strong goal. The coalition has released two roadmapsoutlining robust policy recommendations to achieve the goal of one million households and one hundred thousand low-income households powered by solar, including:
- Fair customer compensation
- Drive accelerated and diverse solar growth
- Facilitate affordable financing for solar growth, especially for new market sectors and underserved communities
- Make solar a win-win for municipalities and customers
- Ensure the modern grid and solar serve each other
- Expand access for low-income, environmental justice and other underserved communities
The Million Solar Strong Coalition is a movement of industry, environmental, clean energy and community organizations united by the vision of a strong clean energy economy that works for all New Yorkers. Visit www.solarstrongny.org to learn more about the campaign calling on Governor Cuomo to adopt a goal of one million solar households by 2023 and to read the policy roadmaps.
