Make Your Voice Heard
Prevailing Wage on Distributed Solar Projects

Show your support for NYSERDA's proposed roadmap for distributed solar, which is designed to get to 10 gigawatts and includes a requirement that projects between 1 and 5 megawatts pay prevailing wage. NYSERDA's proposed prevailing wage requirement builds on the suite of labor standards we won last year covering projects 5 MW and up and is crucial for building a high-road solar industry in New York. Show your support!

Please take a moment to select from the draft comments below, customize them as you like, and email to secretary@dps.ny.gov with “Case #21-E-0629” in the Subject. The Public Service Commission needs to hear from you!

Draft Comment Language
(Please feel free to customize the following language to make it your own.)

[Paragraph 1]

Dear Secretary Phillips:

I fully support NYSERDA’s Distributed Solar Roadmap, which will expand New York’s solar program and create thousands of jobs – many paying the prevailing wage.

Or

Dear Secretary Phillips: 

I strongly support NYSERDA’s plan to expand distributed solar in our state, and the jobs that will be created as a result. I understand that the prevailing wage will apply to many of these jobs.

Or

Dear Secretary Phillips:

I am strongly in favor of the Solar Roadmap (Case 21-E-0629) proposed by NYSERDA. This plan will, in addition to increasing renewable energy in New York, create up to 6,000 good jobs, many of which will pay the prevailing wage.

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Middle Class Jobs Support Workers and Families/Significantly Reduce Reliance on Government Programs

Prevailing wage policies are extremely important to ensuring that workers in the solar industry earn middle-class incomes that are sufficient to support their families. Beyond a paycheck, prevailing wage jobs also often provide health and retirement benefits. Good wages and benefits significantly reduce or eliminate workers’ reliance on government-funded social programs to meet their basic needs. New York’s investment in solar energy also should be an investment in the solar workforce.

Or

Prevailing Wage Helps Address Racial Pay Disparities

A prevailing wage standard applicable to solar industry jobs (between 1 MW and 5 MW) will benefit many workers, who will earn family-supporting incomes and likely benefits, as well. While prevailing wages will provide a boost to workers of all racial backgrounds, workers of color are likely to gain even more, as prevailing wage policies have been shown to help reduce or eradicate income disparities caused by systemic and/or historical factors. In addition, prevailing wage policies – at least in the construction industry – are sometimes paired with targeted hire provisions, which helps to recruit more people of color and women into the trades. This is another potential benefit of a prevailing wage policy in New York’s solar industry.

Or

Prevailing Wage Discourages Low-Road Job Standards

Prevailing wage policies ensure that low-road contractors do not undermine employers who offer decent pay and benefits. When all employers in an industry are subject to the same wage rates, those with high standards cannot be undercut constantly by opportunistic contractors. 

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I urge you to approve the Distributed Solar Roadmap.

Or

I respectfully request that the Commission approve NYSERDA’s Solar Roadmap.