Empire Report New York Editor’s Note: This Labor Perspective was authored by three New York State Labor Leaders: Joe Peluso, who serves as Vice President and Assistant Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 97; Sam Capitano, who serves as Business Manager for the Upstate Laborers District Council; and Greg Lancette, an International Representative with the United Association:
As Labor Leaders representing Working Families across New York, we applaud Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) for approving the extension of the Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) Program.
This decision recognizes a simple truth: New York cannot meet its clean energy goals or protect its growing economy without the reliable, carbon-free power provided by our State’s Nuclear Plants and the skilled Union Workforce that keeps them running.
For the past decade, the ZEC Program has quietly delivered real results.
New York’s Nuclear Facilities produce nearly half of the State’s carbon-free electricity and roughly 20% of total power supply, operating around the clock regardless of weather or season.
Because of the ZEC Program, these plants have remained open, avoiding millions of tons of carbon pollution while keeping the lights on for families and businesses across the State.
But for Labor, this issue has always been about more than megawatts and emissions targets.
These facilities support thousands of good-paying, Union jobs that allow Workers to raise families, buy homes and invest in their communities.
They generate billions in economic activity and provide critical tax revenue that funds schools, emergency services and local infrastructure, particularly in Upstate New York.
A recent analysis underscored just how important this decision is and found that extending the ZEC Program will save New York ratepayers $50 billion by 2050, add $38 billion to the State’s economy, support more than 14,400 jobs and preserve $10 billion in tax revenues.
Those are not abstract projections.
These are real paychecks, real public services and real savings for Working Families across New York.
The alternative would have been devastating.
Prematurely shutting down Nuclear Plants would have meant higher energy costs, increased reliance on fossil fuels and the loss of thousands of skilled Union jobs.
Communities would have been left scrambling to replace lost tax revenue and New York would have taken a major step backward on our clean energy goals.
But the PSC approval sent an important message: New York values the Workers who power its clean energy transition.
Clean energy leadership and Labor Leadership go hand-in-hand and we cannot build a carbon-free future by sacrificing good jobs or hollowing out local economies.
The ZEC Program proves that smart energy policy can deliver cleaner air, economic stability and family-sustaining employment at the same time.
This is what progress looks like – and today, Working New Yorkers can be proud.
To Directly Access This Labor Perspective, Go To: New York Labor Leaders: ZEC Approval Is a Win for Workers, Communities, and New York’s Clean Energy Future – EMPIRE REPORT NEW YORK 2026® NEW YORK’S 24/7 NEWS SITE