Dear Editor,
The news that the Trump administration wants to deny funds that Congress appropriated for clean energy should concern all of us. I knew that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included major investments in clean energy, but l didn’t realize just how much it would benefit our own community – until I looked up the ten projects in New York’s 17th Congressional District.
One of the targeted projects is especially forward-thinking: a $6.5 million grant to build two facilities to test long-duration, fire-safe energy storage batteries. One of these facilities would be built in Valhalla and could store 300kw of energy for 12 or more hours – a crucial step toward making renewable power reliable even during peak demand or extreme weather. This is the kind of practical, future-focused investment our community needs.
Overall, the IRA would bring $51 million in grants to NY-17. That includes seven municipal solar projects across the district. According to the American Clean Power Association, that means an estimated 13,600 new jobs. Between new employment and energy savings, constituents would see an increase of $81 million in additional income each year.
Don’t just take my word for it – look up the numbers. When you do, it’s clear: now is not the time to go backward.
Jessica Boscarino
East Fishkill, NY