Sierra Club in Niagara Proposes
A Win-Win Strategy for Jobs and Clean Energy
A Win-Win Strategy for Jobs and Clean Energy
PRESS CONFERENCE:
WHEN: Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 9:30 AM
WHERE: Outside Dug’s Dive Restaurant (in view of the Wind Turbines), 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo NY
The Sierra Club/Niagara Group is releasing CLEAN/FIT,
a report that outlines how NYS can create jobs while shifting to
renewable energy. This report describes how a FIT, or Feed-in-Tariff has
worked across the world to generate alternative CLEAN energy and at the
same time, provide viable jobs. The FIT, already being considered in
Long Island, could work here in WNY.
The
paper was prepared for the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club. Members
of the Sierra Club/Niagara Group, Lynda Schneekloth, Chair, Bill Nowak,
report author, and John Shinn, United Steel Workers, Regional Director
for District 4 will be present to talk about the paper and answer
questions.
The
report uses the acronym “CLEAN-FIT” which stands for “Clean Local
Energy Accessible Now” and “Feed-In-Tariff” for short. According to
Bill Nowak of Buffalo Clean Energy, “FIT programs, already being
implemented across the globe, are an efficient ‘pricing structure’ that
maximizes both job creation and rapid renewable energy deployment.”
FITs provide a guaranteed long term price for a wide variety of
renewable energy products so they are able to “feed in” to the energy
grid on equitable terms. The fixed price reflects the cost of producing
the energy plus a reasonable rate of return.
FIT
programs have been used in more than 80 jurisdictions around the world
and have been very effective in creating industry and supply chain
economic development. Frank Hotchkiss, USW District 4 Staff
Representative and Political Coordinator cites two examples. “Germany
has created 367,400 clean energy jobs for a population that is less than
28% of the USA’s, and Ontario, Canada, our neighbor, has created 20,000
jobs under a recently established CLEAN-FIT program in only three
years.”
Western New York needs jobs, good jobs, like those created by FIT.
According to Shinn “The introduction of the CLEAN-FIT paper presents New
York State a clear opportunity to move forward on a proven successful
path to produce local clean energy. With the abundant resources
available in Western New York, now is the time to step up and commit to
rebuilding our manufacturing base around the technologies of the 21st century. We have a window to progress to the green, clean and efficient industries of the future.”
Bob Ciesielski, Energy Chair for the state Sierra Club, reports that
other countries have “leveled the playing field with respect to pricing
and made the move to clean energy much faster.” The blueprint is
available on a global scale.
The Sierra Club is the largest grassroots environmental organization in
the US with a membership of 1.4 million people. The Atlantic Chapter
represents New York State and the Niagara Group is the local entity
representing seven counties in WNY.
The complete CLEAN-FIT Report can be found at the following url: bit.ly/nyfeedin
Contact Information
Bill Nowak
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