Time For Better Labor Standards in the Green Economy

NY needs legislation that will significantly expand the application of prevailing wages on renewables

We need to enhance our resiliency efforts and create good jobs with family-sustaining wages + benefits

The FY 2022-2023 NYS budget presents opportunities for the state to realize a clean energy future. The Executive Budget proposals to increase the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act by $1billion and the extension of the Brownfield remediation tax credit will assist the state in managing the potential impacts of climate change.

While these proposals are well-intentioned, they can be improved upon by the addition of labor standards to uplift workers and the economy. Prevailing wage and other labor protections will ensure this emerging sector of the economy will create careers, not low wage jobs. To further achieve this, the state has the ability to attach prevailing wage standards to small scale solar projects between 1 and 5 megawatts, helping to create good jobs and accountability in the solar industry.