New York leaders are debating pushing back the state’s deadline for achieving ambitious clean energy goals laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019.
And the Trump administration has shown it would rather rely on fossil fuels than solar and wind power for the nation’s energy needs.
But Gov. Kathy Hochul recently made moves to show her ongoing commitment to a clean energy future, announcing $50 million in workforce funding to speed the state’s transition to an electric grid that relies on solar, wind and hydropower.
“Washington Republicans’ assault on renewables won’t stop New York from continuing our nation-leading clean energy progress,” Hochul said in a statement. “These investments underscore our commitment to preparing New Yorkers for the good-paying jobs of tomorrow — all while driving down energy costs for families statewide.”
Funding for the Clean Energy Career Pathways Training and Technical Skills Training program comes out of $320 million the state has committed to clean energy workforce training in recent years.
Funding will support programs that teach and train workers in the fields of energy efficiency, building electrification, energy storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to name a few. Eligible programs can submit applications to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Who’s eligible for new clean energy workforce funding in NY?
Selected Pathways projects can receive between $250,000 and $1.5 million while Technical Skills programs will get between $75,000 and $500,000.
Pathway program applicants must agree that half of the individuals trained come from disadvantaged communities or priority populations, which includes veterans and those with disabilities. The Technical Skills program provides cost-reductions for projects whose trainees come from those same communities.
More details on the programs can be found online at nyserda.ny.gov.
“Clean energy projects provide major opportunities for New York to not only enhance its future but also create thousands of family-sustaining union careers and economic stimulus that will reinvigorate our communities,” said New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera.
“Making this potential a reality requires investment into robust workforce development that will meet the needs of these projects and provide hardworking people with pathways to pursue the middle class,” LaBarbera added.
Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA TODAY Network’s New York State team. He’s won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that’s included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@lohud.com
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Amid climate law fight, NY commits to training clean energy workforce
Reporting by Thomas C. Zambito, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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