During a tour of Concilio de Salud Integral de Loiza in Loiza, Puerto Rico, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State will work with community partners to advance the continued deployment of solar energy and support workforce development in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. to expand. The state will provide a new curriculum and expertise in licensing and financing that will support the development of solar energy industries in the islands. This effort reinforces New York’s long-standing commitment to support Puerto Rico’s reconstruction and recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and helps New York State’s commitment to ensure a growing clean energy pipeline and just transition to clean energy.
“Climate change is the crisis of our time, and we are all needed to pave the way for a cleaner, greener future,” said Governor Hochul. We need to do so in a fair way so that no community is left behind. New York and Puerto Rico have a historically close relationship and this partnership is an important step in creating more sustainable jobs and promoting green energy.”
Today’s announcement builds on the Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator, Workforce and Small Business Development Program launched in 2019 with support from the US Economic Development Administration, with the support of the US Economic Development Administration. The Puerto Rican Solar Business Accelerator, Workforce and Small Business Development Program is a joint, public-private effort of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, and PathStone Corporation, Inc. to train and place employees in solar-plus-storage and construction, develop innovative solar financing options and provide technical assistance to solar companies.
“We are reinforcing New York’s commitment to further equipping families, businesses and workers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with the tools they need to address the challenges of climate change,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “More and continued partnerships are part of our responsibility to improve resilience, especially in historically disadvantaged communities, and we look forward to continuing to share best practices to help their solar industry thrive.”
With this comprehensive support, New York State would provide expertise in developing curricula and permitting and funding solutions for underserved communities and low-to-middle-income households. New York would continue to provide assistance in solar acceleration, training, business support and workforce development. In addition, the potential expansion of aid would bring an even wider regional advantage to the US Virgin Islands, in addition to Puerto Rico.
In addition, New York State will work with the Hispanic Federation and their local partners to provide guidance and best practices to strengthen Puerto Rico’s solar industry and build the local workforce needed to achieve the goal. of Puerto Rico to reach 100% renewable energy by 2050.
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