Did you know: New York residents of color and those with low to moderate income pay a disproportionately higher portion of their household income on energy? The homes of many of these individuals and families are often less energy-efficient, meaning that they need to use more energy to heat and cool their homes, which is both more expensive and harmful to the environment.
The New York State Energy Efficiency, Equity, & Jobs Act offers solutions! According to WE ACT for Environmental Justice, if this legislation is passed, it will: “1) set equitable energy efficiency targets for utilities operating in New York State; 2) ensure that the resources utilities allocate to reach those standards are defined and distributed in a just and equitable manner that addresses the needs of low-income New Yorkers and New Yorkers of color; 3) as part of that just and equitable distribution, require utilities to use some of those resources for equitable job training programs in these communities, so that the people doing the energy efficiency improvements in low-income communities and communities of color are residents of those communities; and 4) require NYSERDA to track the distribution of these resources, including the investments that indirectly improve energy efficiency in these communities, so that the energy efficiency targets and resource allocations can be measured, monitored, and adjusted accordingly”. Click here to read more information about this legislation.
On Wednesday, March 2nd you have an opportunity to meet with legislators and encourage their support of the New York State Energy Efficiency, Equity, and Jobs Act!
Click here to RSVP for the March 2 Advocacy Day!
