Franz Litz on WAMC: Was Thomas Edison Right?

In this week’s commentary on WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Pace Energy & Climate Center Executive Director, Franz Litz, discusses why solar energy should be promoted in New York.

Reliance on natural gas, coal, and oil has led to a plethora of medical ailments, high economic cost, and global climate change. These unintended consequences raise the cost of energy and should lead to investment in clean energy alternatives.

New York is considering measures to increase solar energy production throughout the state. Litz explained, “A coalition of businesses, energy and environmental advocates and labor organizations are pushing to help New York catch up with the other states that have made solar a priority.” The governor recently mentioned solar energy in his State-of-the-State address, and there is a proposed bill designed to produce 5000 MW of solar energy over the next 15 years.

Other states have already taken similar measures, and New Jersey is currently leading the way. The solar energy industry adds jobs at a rate 10 times the national average and can potentially lower electric bills for consumers.

As Litz summed up, “It’s clean.  It uses the abundant energy of the sun. It drives job creation. It will save consumers billions.  That sounds like a winning proposition.”