Environmental, Labor & Business Groups Applaud NYS Senate Pledge to Act on Green Jobs Bill

ALBANY, NY (09/04/2009)(readMedia)-- In a major step toward rebuilding New York's crippled economy, reducing global warming pollution, and cleaning up the state's energy mix, the State Senate announced today it will act on and pass Green Jobs/Green NY (S.5888 & S.6032) during its September 10th Legislative Session.

"Everyone knows that we need to move away from a pollution-based economy. This bill is a giant step in the right direction: It will help make our homes more energy efficient, save families money, create opportunities for green-collar workers, and help environmentally burdened communities to breathe easier," said Miquela Craytor, Executive Director, Sustainable South Bronx.The landmark program will create an estimated 14,000 family-sustaining jobs while significantly reducing energy costs for approximately one million homes and businesses.

"Green Jobs/Green NY will take our state one step further on the path to a cleaner, more sustainable economy, creating thousands of green jobs while making our homes and small businesses more energy efficient. That means smaller utility bills, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and new jobs when our economy needs them the most, all at no new cost to New York," said Jackson Morris of Environmental Advocates of New York.

"Our economy is in real trouble, and our members support the Green Jobs/Green NY Program because it will create good-paying jobs, increase property values, and reduce energy usage. It's a great program for the middle class and working families, and we applaud the State Senate for bringing the bill to the floor," said Richard Schrader, NY Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council.

"Because Green Jobs/Green NY is designed to massively scale up energy efficiency retrofits across the state it will jump-start New York's small but dedicated clean energy industry. That in turn will create new jobs and further the energy efficiency, health, safety and durability of people's homes. It's an exciting time for the industry, and we're happy to be part of this innovative plan for New York," said Art Olson, Conservation Services Group.

"This legislation will provide thousands of badly needed jobs and job training throughout New York State especially in low-income communities hit hardest by the economic recession. At the same time, it will benefit our environment and reduce our energy needs. The Obama administration initiated a major residential weatherization effort in their economic stimulus effort. This bill will allow New York State to continue that effort," said Jim Melius, NYS Laborers.

"Too often communities of color are not given an opportunity to have a meaningful voice at the policy making table. Green Jobs/Green NY is a chance for these communities to have a real say in the implementation of a groundbreaking energy efficiency program that will aid the environment, provide jobs and stimulate local economies. It's a chance we can't afford to miss," said Elizabeth Yeampierre, President of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. "The Senate deserves praise for calling for a vote on this legislation next week; now all they have to do is vote yes!"

How it Works:

• Through the Green Jobs/ Green NY program, New York will provide $112 million in capital funding (using funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction proceeds) for job creation and workforce training, energy audits, program administration, and a credit enhancement for critical private sector capital investment.

• The Green Jobs/ Green NY program will front the cost of the work, enabling property owners to afford energy efficient retrofits. Although property owners will repay the full cost over time via energy bill savings, their total energy usage will be reduced by 30-40 percent, yielding net savings to the property owner.

• Local contractors, certified to perform the retrofits, will be able to expand their crews, creating new and permanent jobs in green construction and additional jobs in local businesses and manufacturing that serve those new workers.

The greatest barrier to energy efficiency and green job creation is the ability of residential and business property owners to afford the work. The Green Jobs/ Green NY programs breaks down that barrier through the infusion of up-front capital with NO on-budget cost to the state.

The relatively small amount of federal stimulus dollars used in the program will leverage billions in private sector capital investment, sustaining a long-term innovative approach to economic revitalization and energy efficiency.

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For more information:

Erica Ringewald, Environmental Advocates of New York (518) 210-9903, eringewald@eany.org

Art Olson, Conservation Services Group (518) 207-4504, art.olson@csgrp.com

Jim Melius, NYS Laborers (518) 449-1715

Miquela Craytor, Executive Director, Sustainable South Bronx (917) 370-2920

Elizabeth Yeampierre, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (347) 603-6600

Richard Schrader, NY Legislative Director, Natural Resources Defense Council (347) 210-2594

Lavon Chambers, Greater NY Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET) (646) 408-1871