New York’s state legislature has just directed the state’s public power provider to build renewable energy projects. The law instructing the New York Power Authority includes language about “environmental justice” and labor that socialists would love—in fact, socialists do love it. The Democratic Socialists of America lobbied for the law and the group is gearing up in other states.
From Akielly Hu in Canary Media (originally published in Grist).
“The Build Public Renewables Act includes several provisions to prioritize clean energy access for low- and middle-income customers, organized labor and a just transition for workers displaced from fossil fuel projects. It requires the New York Power Authority to establish a program allowing low- and moderate-income electricity customers in disadvantaged communities to receive credits on their monthly utility bills for any renewable energy produced by the power authority.
“The new law also stipulates that workers or contractors hired for these new renewable energy projects must be protected by a collective bargaining agreement. And it instructs the public power authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding with labor unions to uphold and protect pay rates, training and safety standards for workers supporting the operation and maintenance of such projects. Candidates who have lost employment in the oil and gas sector will be prioritized for those positions. Beginning in 2024, the authority will also be authorized to allocate up to $25 million each year toward worker-training programs for the renewable energy sector.”
Oh, it will also produce renewable power.
Image of New York Power Authority Manhole Cover, by AITFFan1 is licensed by Creative Commons license.