Climate Jobs Institute and Climate Jobs New York prepare rank-and-file union members to advocate for public solar
New York City has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and build its renewable energy infrastructure. With targets set, it is up to New Yorkers—including union workers—to ensure that the city finishes the job.
The NYC Public Solar Power Bill, legislation that mandates the installation of 100 MW of solar on city-owned buildings by 2025, and 150 MW by 2030, offers significant economic benefits. The installations, owned and maintained by NYC, could create over 1,500 jobs and save the city more than $600 million in energy costs over 30 years.
On April 11, Climate Jobs NY and the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) came together to prepare rank-and-file union members to advocate for public solar. Workers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3, SEIU 32BJ, New York State Nurses Association, the United Federation of Teachers, and AFSCME District Council 37 gathered to meet council members and explain how public solar will benefit their communities.
CJI’s Gia Marotta, Katie Hayden, Melissa Shetler, and Rohan Palacios developed a comprehensive training program that focuses on storytelling to effectively communicate community priorities. This training, designed to be transferable to future campaigns, was a key part of the preparation for the lobby day. Hayden and Palacios also provided on-the-ground support during the council member meetings. Councilmember Sandy Nurse, the bill’s lead sponsor, greeted the delegation and emphasized that labor and rank-and-file engagement have the power to move legislation.
On lobby day, 30 council members had already signed onto the bill as co-sponsors. CJNY’s organizers set a goal of having enough additional members sign pledge cards to attain a veto-proof majority. The workers’ advocacy proved effective in pushing legislators into action; by the end of the day, 5 additional co-sponsors signed onto the bill and 6 more pledged their support. With 41 likely yes votes, the legislation is poised to jumpstart the city’s efforts to combat climate change and support healthy communities.
CJI will continue working with coalition partners in New York and nationwide to build capacity amongst union members and leaders to meet the climate crisis at the scale and speed that science demands.
