Proposed Res. No. 1098-A
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor Cuomo to sign into law, the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011.
By Council Members Gennaro, Brewer, Fidler, James, Koppell, Lander, Mendez, Palma, Recchia, Jr., Rose, Van Bramer, Levin and Garodnick
Whereas, It is imperative to the health of the environment and for our national security to increase significantly the use of locally generated renewable energy, such as that derived from solar power; and
Whereas, Other states have taken advantage of the strategies included in the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011 (S. 4178/A. 5713) to expand solar power use and create clean, "green" jobs that put them at a competitive advantage over New York; and
Whereas, To date, less than 0.1% of New York State's electricity is generated from solar power, a statistic that indicates that the proper incentives and policies are not currently in place in New York State to support solar power; and
Whereas, The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011 calls for a strong solar target-5000 megawatts distributed around the state by 2025, or enough solar-generated electricity to power 500,000 homes-but one that is reasonable and to be attained in steps to allow for a local solar industry to grow in the state and to build the infrastructure needed to meet the target; and
Whereas, According to Vote Solar, an advocacy group that works at the local, state, and federal levels to help create a strong solar power market, it is estimated that this legislation, when enacted, will generate more than 22,000 jobs, many local, and $20 billion in economic output, while costing rate payers only 39 cents each per month; and
Whereas, The environmental and human health benefits of this legislation would be enormous because solar power produces zero emissions, including no particulate matter, which contributes to the state's high asthma rates, and no carbon emissions, which are the primary cause of human induced global warming; and
Whereas, This legislation enjoys broad support from those within and outside of the solar industry, with over 100 organizations filing memoranda of support for the bill; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and Governor Cuomo to sign into law, the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011.
DAA
LS 2756/2011