Senator Gianaris Touts Environmental Initiatives on Earth Day

(Queens, NY) Senator Michael Gianaris announced the passage of a bill which would establish incentives for investments in solar energy and applauded Mayor Michael Bloomberg for announcing the largest expansion of New York City’s Recycling Program in 25 years. Senator Gianaris noted that environmental activists had reason to cheer this week as the country celebrated Earth Day on Monday April 22^nd and New York, on both the city and state levels, took real steps forward in going green.

“New York is working to achieve a sustainable future and protect the environment, all while giving the economy a much needed boost,” said Senator Gianaris.

“These environmental initiatives are especially important because they demonstrate that going green can be economically beneficial. More recycling in NYC means more money in New Yorkers’ wallets and incentives for solar energy will spur innovation and attract businesses and jobs to our state.”

The state tax credits would establish an incentive-based program to attract new large-scale qualified solar and battery manufacturing plants to New York State. The bill would also extend the Governor’s NY Sun Program for an additional 10 years. The city’s recycling program was expanded to include hard plastics, a move which will relieve landfills of an extra 50,000 tons of waste and save New Yorkers $600,000 each year.

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