CJNY Co-Hosts “Rally for Public Solar Power”

On Thursday, September 14th, CJNY co-hosted a “Rally for Public Solar Power” with Councilmember Sandy Nurse, Carmen De La Rosa, Pierina Sanchez, and Climate Works for All. The rally took place in City Hall Park just before Councilmember Nurse introduced new legislation that aims to bring solar panels on public buildings in New York City. Dozens of union members and constituents joined the rally to support the bill’s goal and to call for more forceful, immediate action to fight climate change. 

If passed, this bill could lead to solar installation on public buildings in NYC with the potential to deliver 100 Megawatts of power from city-owned buildings by 2025. Moreover, the legislation calls for reaching 150 Megawatts of power delivered from city-owned buildings by 2030. This initiative has the capacity to save the city millions of dollars in energy costs while also cutting carbon pollution substantially. And to make it happen, the city can create numerous high-quality union jobs. 

With this bill, NYC can use its buildings to combat climate change. Staten Island already is home to one such NYC-owned building, P.S. 62, one of the first net-zero school buildings in the country that was constructed with 100% union labor. Following this model, NYC can lead the nation by using solar installation on schools and other public buildings – both retrofitting existing buildings and outfitting new structures – to create a more sustainable path forward for our environment and to create good, union jobs for the working people of the city. 

Here is what union members and labor leaders had to say about the rally and the bill:

“I saw firsthand the destruction that Hurricane Sandy caused and the suffering of people who lost their homes and all their belongings,” said Robert Brunotte, member of Laborers Local 79.  “My first union job was on the Sandy Build It Back program to clean and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy.  That union job was a life-changer for me.  I was able to buy a car and get my family on track for a middle class life.  Union members like me want clean air, clean water and want to be part of the solution.  We care about our environment and want every worker to have a good union job.  We are ready to do the work,” he continued.  Brunotte was one of the speakers at the rally.

“If I have kids, I want their future to be secure.  That means good jobs and a healthy climate.  I love the school where I work.  For 9 years I have put my blood sweat and tears into it.  Today we have the opportunity to invest in our school buildings, address climate change and create good quality jobs all at the same time.  We have to do whatever we can to be part of the solution.  Let’s make this happen,”  said Sebastian Garcia, member of 32BJ SEIU and a cleaner at the Louis D. Brandeis High School in New York City.

“We applaud Councilmember Nurse and the other bill sponsors for introducing legislation to accelerate the transition to solar on New York’s public buildings prioritizing New York City’s public schools. This is an important first step in making every New York City public school building a clean and healthy place to learn and to work in addition to creating thousands of good union green jobs.  Extreme weather events like the recent wildfires remind us how urgent it is we take immediate action for a just transition to renewable energy.  Let’s invest in responsible solutions to build a sustainable and just future,” said Lenore Friedlaender, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY.

“Putting solar on the thousands of city-owned buildings will make New York City a leader in reducing our carbon footprint. If done right, this legislation could lead to the creation of thousands of good jobs and an entry into a lifetime career for young workers and workers of color,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of The New York State Building Trades and Principal Officer of Climate Jobs NY.

“Investing in clean energy to power our public buildings will reduce New York City’s energy costs while improving building energy efficiencies.  New York can take advantage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the environmental bond act to help defray the cost of installing solar on our public buildings while creating thousands of good union jobs,” said Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO and principal officer of Climate Jobs NY.