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Albany, N.Y., June 10, 2010 — A solar power bill pending in the New York state legislature would create thousands of green jobs and billions of dollars in economic output for the state, according to a new report released by Vote Solar.
A coalition of organizations — including Vote Solar, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Solar Alliance, the Apollo Alliance and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York — urged state legislators to pass the Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act and make New York a leader in the nation’s growing solar economy.
By supporting the development of enough solar to power about one million homes by 2025, this legislation would drive economic opportunity in the state while adding less than the price of one postage stamp to New Yorkers’ monthly energy bills.
* Job creation: 22,198 direct and induced jobs. Solar creates more jobs per megawatt than any other electricity resource. These are high quality local employment opportunities across a broad range of education requirements, salary levels and fields.
* Economic output: $20 billion dollars. This includes wages, salaries and revenues that can be reinvested into the state economy, creating a significant new economic engine for New York.
* Average residential electric bill impact: $0.39 per month. Through the smart policy framework included in the Solar Jobs Act, New York can build a new solar market with minimal cost added to New Yorkers’ electricity bills.
“There’s nothing more important right now for New York than new jobs — and expanded use of solar power is an important way to create the new jobs and the clean energy we need. Our conference has worked to strengthen New York’s leadership on renewable energy, and we will continue that effort. More solar means more jobs — and more renewable power to support economic renewal statewide,” said State Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson (D, Brooklyn).
“This legislation represents a strong investment in New York’s energy future, one that would deliver economic returns immediately and for generations to come,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza (R, Staten Island).
“I have been a long-time proponent of solar energy as an effective tool for reducing harmful environmental emissions, managing electricity costs, and fostering growth and innovation in an exciting technology sector. I am proud to support this bill to help make solar and it many benefits more accessible for New Yorkers,” said State Assemblymember Steven Englebright (D, Setauket).
The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2010 provides a policy roadmap for jumpstarting a new solar industry and economy in the state.
The legislation requires each New York retail electric supplier, the New York Power Authority, and the Long Island Power Authority to annually procure a certain amount of solar electricity, which represents a gradually increasing percentage of their sales through 2025.
Scaled statewide, this amounts to about 5,000 MW of solar energy over the course of the program, which is enough to power about one million homes.
