Gennaro explains vote - Heat Pumps for All pilot program

Gennaro.

I am disclosing on the record of the council proceedings that the Queens Centers for Progress is funded in the budget and the budget we are adopting and my spouse is associated with that entity.

My spouse is Wendy and she's watching.

And so there you go.

I request permission to explain my vote.

Permission granted.

I am really delighted that this budget includes a new initiative, Heat Pumps for All, a pilot program of cost-free heat pumps for low-income one- and two-family homeowners in environmental justice communities.

I am proud to have introduced this initiative in this year's...

Budget process with support from Finance Chair Linda Lee, Councilmember Aviles, Councilmember Nurse, Councilmember Marte, the BNT, and of course, Speaker Menon and all of her terrific staff.

Special shout out to Nason Toth.

We have created a heat pumps coalition, including the Central Labor Council in New York.

New York Communities for Change, Steamfitters Local 3638, Climate Jobs New York, Food and Water Watch, and NYPERG.

It was great working side by side with environmental advocates and labor in common cause to create a city with clean air and clean energy union jobs.

This is the formula for a more sustainable city.

This pilot will help.

help to normalize the heat pump technology that we badly need to meet our clean air and climate challenges, and will generate data on the efficacy of this technology.

I again want to thank Speaker Menon for her great environmental leadership to advance this effort and for recognizing the importance of expanding access to clean, affordable,

heating and cooling for working families and the creation of green union jobs.

This funding is an important first step towards ensuring that working families have the same opportunity to modernize their homes, lower their energy bills, and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient New York City.

And last but not least, I thank my terrific legislative director sitting right behind me, Josh.

Gachet.

With that said, I vote aye on all.