Supports State’s Climate Act Goal To Ensure Clean Energy Investments Are Directed to Disadvantaged Communities
Governor Kathy Hochul and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez today announced $3 million in U.S. Department of Labor funding is now available through a new pilot program, the Climate Justice Fellowship Plus Program (CJF Plus), in the Bronx and Queens. The federally funded CJF Plus will help build workforce capacity to enhance climate justice in these communities and supports the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to ensure at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities.
“Creating pathways for New Yorkers to join in our clean energy transition is part of our holistic effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health and safety of our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding will allow individuals in the Bronx and Queens to pursue careers in climate justice while earning competitive wages and getting the professional support they need to thrive in our green economy.
CJF Plus is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor and 100 percent of the program will be financed with federal funds. Through this three-year competitive pilot program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), funding will be made available for non-profit organizations serving, or located in, the Bronx and Queens to enhance climate justice in their respective communities. Specifically, these organizations can apply to receive nearly $80,000 in wage subsidies to hire fellows for a two-year period to implement climate justice-related work and activities. Interested non-profit organizations in the Bronx and Queens must apply by 3:00 p.m. EST on February 12, 2025. Please visit here.
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s previous commitment of $6 million to support Climate Justice Fellowship opportunities for individuals across the state residing in historically disadvantaged communities or from priority populations. To date, 55 fellowships have been supported through this program. Additional details about the Climate Justice Fellowship Program and how to apply.
These efforts are part of more than $180 million that NYSERDA has dedicated for workforce development and training initiatives which prioritize hiring from priority populations. This portfolio of talent pipeline programs includes Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training, Offshore Wind Training, and On-the-Job Training supporting the ramp-up of clean energy businesses and hiring of skilled talent.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the state’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
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