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A group photo of the panelists

Climate Jobs Institute Talks Infrastructure and Green Workforce at 2024 SOMOS Puerto Rico

For two years in a row, the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) has facilitated a panel discussion at the 2024 SOMOS INC Puerto Rico Conference, from November 6th - 10th. 

In keeping with this year’s theme, “Navigating Change Together: Fostering Collaboration for a Sustainable Future,” CJI co-hosted a panel on “Infrastructure Funding and Green Jobs in New York and Puerto Rico” with partners in the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, SUNY, state government agencies, and the environmental movement. The panel was sponsored by Senator Monica Martinez, Senator Jessica Ramos, and Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman.

The discussion brought together a wide range of perspectives on decarbonization and how we meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in New York. CJI’s executive director, Dr Lara Skinner, spoke to the importance of leveraging federal funding to create new pathways to union jobs and advance a bold climate agenda for New York State.

Infrastructure Funding and Green Jobs in New York and Puerto Rico

A group photo of the panelists
Featured (Left-Right): Santos Rodriguez, Chief of Staff, NYC Building and Construction Trades Council; Robert J. Rodriguez, President and CEO, DASNY; Doreen Harris, President & CEO NYSERDA; Jeanette Moy, Commissioner, Office of General Services; Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman; Dr. Lara Skinner, Executive Director, CJI; Theo Moore, Executive Director, ALIGN; John B. King Jr., SUNY Chancellor; Carter Strickland, Chief Sustainability Officer & Executive Director of Climate Action, SUNY

CJI team members Alec Goodwin, Bethany Figueroa, Johanna Lugo, and Rohan Palacios accompanied Dr Lara Skinner and attended various panel discussions, including “Supportive Services and Green Retrofits in NY & PR” and “Empowering PR, Lessons Learned From New York Energy And Infrastructure Workforce Programs,” a labor organizing conversation sponsored by Senator Ramos. 

The ensuing conversations were unique opportunities to learn from legislators, labor leaders, and other nonprofit organizations. Conversely, CJI was able to share its research and upcoming educational programming, including its December 11th webinar "Understanding Thermal Energy Networks,” a primer on an efficient, equitable, cost-effective solution for meeting our heating and cooling needs while also reducing emissions and creating pathways to high-quality jobs.

The CJI team also participated in SOMOS’s annual Day of Service, where delegates lend a helping hand to local organizations in support of community service initiatives. This year, members of CJI’s delegation participated in school restoration, beach clean-up, and tree-planting. 

With over 1,500 attendees, SOMOS brings together a wide range of stakeholders from across the state of New York. The convening is sponsored by the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force with the mission of raising awareness about issues affecting the state’s Puerto Rican and Latino communities.

CJI is excited to carry these conversations forward and continue serving as an academic partner and trusted convener to all those involved in helping New York transition to a more just and sustainable future.

CJI Delegation Team at the 2024 SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico

A photo of four CJI staff members
Featured (Left-Right): Alec Goodwin, Research & Policy Development Associate; Johanna Lugo, Administrative Assistant; Dr. Lara Skinner, Executive Director; Bethany Figueroa, Research Support Specialist; Rohan Palacios, Training & Education Support Specialist.