Politics on the Hudson

State Assembly candidate William Gouldman announced his Clean/Green Energy Savings Plan this week, a proposal aimed at slashing energy consumption and fostering the transition to environmentally-conscious energy solutions. Louis Buccheri, a colleague here at TJN/LoHud, writes about it after the break.The plan would eliminate sales taxes on products with superior energy efficiency ratings, offering consumers an incentive to buy appliances, electronics and heating and cooling systems approved by agencies like Energy Star. It would also spike sales of these products, Gouldman said.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Gouldman said. “If we can help the economy for the individual and for businesses, everybody will benefit.”
Gouldman said embracing energy efficient products and practices could allow homeowners to greatly reduce their energy bills while lessening the impact their homes have on the environment.

The proposal, which would also provide tax exemptions on alternative energy systems and rebates to help seniors heat their homes, is an “incremental approach” to help the average individual get by in what he called “the worst financial situation since the Great Depression.”

He said the cost of energy is beginning to take its toll on area homeowners, and that the situation will only grow worse as people struggle to heat their homes during the winter months.

“A lot of people are going to have issues,” he said. “People shouldn’t have to choose between paying their property taxes or heating their homes,” he said.

Gouldman is running against incumbent Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining. The 51-year-old candidate for the 90th Assembly District seat said New York state government hasn’t done enough to facilitate the transition to clean, affordable energy.

“Albany tells you what you should be doing, but what do they do to make it possible? It’s that entire mindset that needs to change.”
—by Louis Buccheri