Senator Kevin Parker and Assembly Member Latrice Walker joined advocates in calling for making New York a Million Solar Strong at a Town Hall at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Town Hall was organized by the Million Solar Strong Campaign, a movement of leading industry, environmental, clean energy and community organizations, launched earlier this year to urge the goal of powering one million New York households, including 100,000 low-income households, with solar by 2023. Senator Kevin Parker, the ranking member of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, and Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Chair of the Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, discussed the benefits of solar, how residents can participate, and opportunities for solar policy in the coming year.  

"I am excited to bring this Solar Strong Town Hall to my district and the larger Brooklyn community. The ability for us to reduce our carbon footprint and reliance on outdated energy sources, while creating good paying jobs and spurring the green collar economy is a win win for our communities," said Senator Kevin Parker.

"The Solar Strong program is an important component in the journey to the State's Clean Energy Standard. As the chair of the Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, I'm constantly advocating for the retrofit of solar panels for all communities. It just makes sense. The installation of solar panels lowers resident's energy bill yet simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint," said Assembly Member Latrice Walker.

The Million Solar Strong Campaign is gaining momentum with a growing number of prominent state and local leaders endorsing the call to make New York a million solar strong. The coalition is calling on Governor Cuomo to institute and support concrete policies to reach the one million solar strong goal. The coalition has released two roadmaps outlining robust policy recommendations to achieve the goal of one million households and one hundred thousand low-income households powered by solar, including:

●      Fair customer compensation

●      Drive accelerated and diverse solar growth

●      Facilitate affordable financing for solar growth, especially for new market sectors and underserved communities

●      Make solar a win-win for municipalities and customers

●      Ensure the modern grid and solar serve each other

●      Expand access for low-income, environmental justice and other underserved communities

Million Solar Strong Campaign | www.solarstrongny.org