Saturday, November 6, 2021

Governor Hochul Announces Partnership to Expand Solar Development Support for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

 

Effort Would Expand 2019 Program to Train and Place Workers in Solar-Plus-Storage, Construction, and Other Supportive Services

Reinforces New York State's Commitment to Growing a Clean Energy Workforce Pipeline and Ensuring an Equitable Clean Energy Transition


 During a tour of Concilio de Salud Integral de Loiza in Loiza, Puerto Rico, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State will work with community partners to expand ongoing solar deployment and workforce development support in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The State will provide new curriculum and permitting and financing expertise that will support the development of solar industries on the Islands. This effort further strengthens New York's long-standing commitment to support Puerto Rico's reconstruction and recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and helps reinforce New York State's commitment to ensuring a growing clean energy workforce pipeline and an equitable clean energy transition. 

"Climate change is the crisis of our time, and it takes each and every one of us to pave the path for a cleaner, greener future," Governor Hochul said, "The number one obstacle we must overcome is our over reliance on fossil fuels and we must do so equitably so no community is left behind. New York and Puerto Rico have a historically close relationship and this partnership is an important step to creating more sustainable jobs and boosting green energy."

Today's announcement builds on the $4.5 million Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator, Workforce and Small Business Development Program established in 2019 with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator, Workforce and Small Business Development Program is a joint, public-private effort between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, and PathStone Corporation, Inc. to train and place workers in solar-plus-storage and construction, develop innovative solar financing options, and to provide technical assistance to solar businesses.

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