FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 5, 2022
Contact – Lisa Thomas, 347-415-6431, lisa@alignny.org
ALIGN, Labor Unions, Climate Organizations Cheer Signing of Green Jobs and Emissions Reductions Bill
The Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act will cut building emissions and create a pipeline for career green job opportunities for New Yorkers
NEW YORK – Maritza Silva-Farrell, Executive Director of ALIGN and leader in the Climate Works for All and NY Renews coalitions, released a statement in response to Governor Hochul signing the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act:
“As New York State implements the CLCPA (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act), the most ambitious climate law in the country, we need labor and climate groups working together toward a just transition. The Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act (S9422) is an example of what comes out of that collective action. It presents an opportunity to effectively decarbonize our buildings at the scale necessary and transform New York’s electric and gas utilities.” said Maritza Silva-Farrell, Executive Director of ALIGN NY. “ It enables them to build emissions-free thermal energy networks while keeping the current workforce and creating middle-class career jobs for low-income communities and communities of color hit first and worst by the climate crisis. We applaud Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation and look forward to continuing to work together to deliver on the environmental, equity, and just transition mandates in New York’s climate law, the CLCPA.”
###