Labor Unions Celebrate the Passage of City Legislation to Install Solar Power on Public Buildings and Create Good Jobs

On Thursday, during New York City Climate Week, the New York City Council passed landmark legislation that will require New York City to install solar panels on public buildings, setting a nation-leading model for how big cities can develop clean energy on public buildings. Climate Jobs New York has long been a champion for building solar energy on public buildings, with labor unions advocating for this issue for years. Passing this legislation was a primary goal of the coalition’s Carbon-Free and Healthy Schools campaign.

Introduced by Councilmember Sandy Nurse, Int. No. 353-A was passed with a supermajority of votes. With 46 co-sponsors, the legislation had the most sponsors of any legislation this session.

The legislation’s ambitious commitments to install 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2030 and 150 MW by 2035 will increase the scale and speed of New York City’s public solar program. The buildout of solar on city-owned buildings will create high-quality, family-supporting jobs for New Yorkers in roof readiness, panel installation, and maintenance work, while supporting cleaner public buildings and air. Currently, two-thirds of all of New York City’s emissions come from buildings, and this legislation will be a step toward reducing building emissions and reaching our city’s climate goals.

Ahead of the vote, union members were joined by environmental advocates and members of City Council to rally on the steps of City Hall in support of the legislation. Check out photos and videos from the rally here!