The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees recently approved the release of $2.55 million in funding to seven community-based organizations that will implement clean energy industry workforce development initiatives throughout New York State.
The funding stems from a NYPA commitment in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget to support the efforts of the state’s Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET).
The New York State Department of Labor established OJET last year to connect workers to opportunities for jobs in the clean energy economy through upskilling and training with a focus on serving those in under-resourced communities.
“The Power Authority is doing more than simply supplying workforce development programs with funding; it is full partner in the mission to provide New Yorkers with the training needed to succeed in the State’s clean energy economy,” said NYPA Chairman John Koelmel. “As part of its commitment to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers for the clean energy industry, NYPA will continue to collaborate with local job training initiatives in communities across New York.”
In May, the NYPA Trustees approved $2 million to support workforce development initiatives that provide employment training and employment opportunities for residents in disadvantaged communities located in the vicinity of NYPA power projects.
The NYPA Trustees approved an additional $550,000 at their October meeting in furtherance of its commitment to create job opportunities in the clean energy field.
In this tranche of spending, $2.55 million will be allocated to seven firms that responded to a request for proposals issued by the Power Authority in July seeking partnership opportunities. As a result of this funding award, NYPA will be helping to provide support to nearly 1,500 New Yorkers in the form of employment training in the clean energy industry.
The seven recipients are:
- ITEC Training & Education Center in Rochester
- NYC District Council of Carpenters Training Center in Manhattan
- The Resilience Education Training and Innovation Center in Brooklyn
- Soulful Synergy in Queens
- St. Nick’s Alliance in Brooklyn
- United Way of Long Island in Deer Park
- Urban Green Council in Manhattan
NYPA will collaborate with the training providers to develop technical training opportunities, hands-on experience, paid internships and full-time jobs for people entering the workforce and advance training opportunities for those traditional utility workers to ensure that both new and current employees have the requisite skills and qualifications to participate in New York’s clean energy field.
“The New York Power Authority funding awarded to these seven firms will support nearly 1,500 New Yorkers with upskilling and training for the clean energy jobs of tomorrow,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll. “Just as NYPA is committed to securing and supporting a reliable supply of renewable energy for New Yorkers, it is also preparing New Yorkers for careers that will help the state achieve its climate action goals.”
As part of its workforce development priorities, NYPA has already committed $12.65 million in funding to create, expand and support workforce training initiatives in partnership with local organizations and NYSDOL.
In addition to its new workforce training commitments, the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget provided NYPA with enhanced authority to develop, own and operate renewable energy generation and storage projects, either alone or in collaboration with other entities.
Under the expanded authority, NYPA’s projects will support the state's renewable energy goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, maintain an adequate and reliable supply of electric power and energy in the state, and support the new Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program, which will enable low-income and moderate-income electricity customers to receive bill credits through the production of renewable energy by NYPA. NYPA will publish its first biennial strategic plan for renewable energy development in January 2025.
