New York Gov. Cuomo announces clean energy jobs initiative
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the Clean Climate Careers initiative, which includes $1.5 billion for renewable energy projects, workforce training for careers in clean energy, and the creation of an environmental justice working group.
The announcement followed an executive order by Cuomo committing New York to upholding the
standards of the Paris Accord despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement. Cuomo also recently established a U.S. Climate Alliance with California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr., and Washington State Gov. Jay R. Inslee to organize states committed to upholding the Paris agreement.
“As the federal government abdicates its responsibility to address climate change – at the expense of our environment and economy — New York is leading the nation in advancing a clean energy future,” Cuomo said.
New York established the Clean Climate Careers initiative in partnership with the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations’ Worker Institute and Climate Jobs NY. It aims to create 40,000 clean energy jobs by 2020.
The state’s $1.5 billion investment in clean energy as a part of the project will add approximately 2.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity a year, the largest clean energy procurement by a state in U.S. history. The state’s clean energy standard sets a goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.
The third portion of the initiative, the establishment of an Environmental Justice &
Just Transition Working Group, seeks to create programs and policies to help historically underserved communities and those dealing with the retirement of carbon-intensive energy facilities to succeed in a clean energy economy.
