For immediate release:
August 4, 2011
Contact:
Dave Palmer, Executive Director
(917) 482-7251
STATEMENT FROM DAVE PALMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
CENTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES
Re: Signing of Power New York Act (A8510/S5844)
“In signing the Power New York Act of 2011, Governor Andrew Cuomo implemented a simple and creative solution to intertwined problems of climate change, joblessness and economic stagnation.
“The new law will create over 14,000 full-time permanent jobs, cut greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of removing one million cars from the road and reduce energy bills for hundreds of thousands of homeowners.
“Thanks to the work of Governor Cuomo, legislative leaders and the Center for Working Families’ green jobs coalition, New York will be the first state to implement on-bill financing on a statewide basis and to mandate utility participation. This has three immediate impacts. First, the state will be able to leverage billions of dollars in third party investments in home energy efficiency improvements. Second, moderate income families will be able to access safe capital for home retrofits. And third, home performance contractors will need to hire thousands of new workers to perform the work.
“The Center for Working Families thanks Governor Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Silver, Assembly Member Cahill, Senate Majority Leader Skelos and Senator Maziarz for their leadership on this issue.”
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