Floating solar panels on New York waterways? State Senator Joe Griffo responds to latest Senate passing of bill that would establish floating solar incentive and education program

ALBANY, NY- A North Country lawmaker has responded to the passing of a bill in the state legislature that would ultimately direct New York’s energy research and development authority to establish a floating solar incentive and education program to provide information and resources including technical assistance, access to industry standards, and financing available through the authority or other public or private sector sources, to municipalities, developers, builders, design professionals, and potential owners for the construction of floating solar.

“The governor and legislative majorities are already pursuing an unrealistic, unreasonable and unaffordable energy agenda,” said Senator Joe Griffo in reference to Senate Bill 4571A.

“This includes trying to cover farmland with solar panels. Now, they want to do the same with our waterways.”

In a released statement, Griffo says he did not support the measure.

In summary, the Senator claims the bill would create a state-funded program that subsidizes 'floating solar' on open water. Griffo says that means that certain New York rivers, lakes and reservoirs could be covered with solar panels.

The bill was sponsored and introduced thanks to Senator Pete Harkham. He states the goal of this proposal and a dozen others he introduced is to increase solar production, while fighting rising utility costs at the same time.

Joe Griffo image.