Sunday, January 12, 2025
Affordability remains a pressing concern for Long Island families — and our businesses feel the same strain. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, employing hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders while defining the character and vitality of our towns. To ensure their long-term success, we must make reducing costs and fostering innovation a top priority.
Contrary to outdated thinking, economic growth and environmental sustainability are not competing priorities — they are deeply interconnected. A thriving clean-energy economy not only protects our environment, but also creates opportunities for businesses to cut costs, improve efficiency, and position themselves for long-term success.
The green economy offers a path to prosperity that supports both people and the planet.
Recent federal legislation has opened unprecedented opportunities for Long Island businesses to thrive in this new economy. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden in 2022, provides billions of dollars in grants, tax credits and reimbursements designed to help businesses adopt green technologies and reduce overhead.
These programs include incentives for retrofitting buildings, purchasing electric vehicles, installing solar panels and switching to geothermal heating systems — solutions that lower energy costs while reducing carbon footprints.
The U.S. Department of Energy is also stepping up with innovative programs like the Onsite Energy Program. This initiative helps high-energy-use businesses generate their own electricity, dramatically reducing operational costs and emissions. Eligible businesses can receive up to $300,000 in grant funding, giving them the tools to embrace cleaner, more cost-effective energy solutions. By absorbing much of the costs of investing in major pieces of clean-energy infrastructure, these programs are making it easier for businesses to harness the opportunities for green growth in our local economy.
To support Long Island businesses in seizing these opportunities, I am proud to be hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 17, in collaboration with the DOE’s Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships program. This session will provide valuable insights into funding opportunities and practical steps for implementing green energy solutions. I encourage all local businesses, medical facilities, schools, and other entities with high-energy-use facilities to register by visiting tinyurl.com/gogreencutcosts24.
By tapping into these resources, Long Island can lead the way in building a resilient, sustainable economy. Together we can empower our businesses to innovate, grow and succeed while securing a cleaner, greener future for all. Tackling the climate crisis is essential to preserving our way of life on the coast, and we can use this challenge as a chance to kick-start a new era of economic opportunity for our region. I urge every entrepreneur to explore these initiatives and join the movement to build a more affordable and prosperous Long Island.
Michaelle Solages represents the 22nd Assembly District.
