Ex-Councilmember Levin to lead environmental nonprofit

January 6, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Stephen Levin, former City Councilmember and now CEO of Solar One. Photo courtesy of Solar One

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Stephen Levin, who represented the City Council’s 33rd District, stretching from Boerum Hill to Greenpoint, for 12 years, has now been named as CEO of Solar One, a nonprofit that, in its own words, “is dedicated to sustainability and resiliency in urban neighborhoods.”

Solar One delivers a wide array of programming providing environmental education services to diverse program participants. It welcomes Stephen to lead the organization in its next phase of growth, building on a strong financial foundation, highly regarded programs, and strong partnerships with government agencies and community partners.

During his tenure as a councilmember, and as chair of the New York City Council’s General Welfare Committee, Levin focused on ensuring that homeless families and individuals have access to permanent housing, and guaranteeing long-term support for those in the foster care system.

During his tenure, he served on multiple committees, including the Environmental Protection, Land Use, Cultural Affairs, Education and Transportation committees, as well as the Land Use Subcommittee on Landmarks and Public Siting.

Among his other accomplishments, Stephen negotiated multiple land use projects, expanded affordable housing, and increased access to open spaces. He was instrumental in the development of the 27-acre Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg. He also sponsored legislation to remove PCBs from NYC schools and co-sponsored the Climate Mobilization Act, a collection of climate laws designed to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions in New York City.

A graduate of Brown University, Levin started his career in New York City as a community organizer in Bushwick, managing programs for lead-safe houses and anti-predatory lending. He later worked with the New York State Assembly for three years, with a focus on affordable housing.

Sara Queen, chair of the board of Solar One, said, “Stephen’s passion for the environment, leadership experience, and deep commitment working to improve communities makes him an excellent choice to lead Solar One. His time with the New York City Council uniquely qualifies him with great understanding of the imperatives of building more resilient communities and will guide him to utilize the many initiatives and programs of our organization to do so.

“Stephen, along with our talented and professional staff, will be opening our new Workforce Training Center and offices in 2022,” he added.

“I am thrilled to be joining the amazingly talented Solar One team,” Levin said. “In order to confront the existential challenges of climate change, we must do our part in New York City to move to a sustainable future right here, and Solar One has been at the forefront of this movement for years.

“The Green Design Lab is bringing experiential learning around green technology to thousands of New York City K-12 students. The Green Workforce program has delivered green construction, operation and maintenance skills and certifications to hundreds of New Yorkers per year, which will be essential in the years to come. Here Comes Solar is performing the integral job of establishing affordable solar power in buildings and communities across New York City, and continues to grow,” he added.

In addition to his other projects, Stephen will lead in a partnership Solar One has with the Economic Development Corporation, facilitating the stewardship of Stuyvesant Cove Park on the East River below 23rd Street and a new Solar One Environmental Education Center to be built at the park in the near future.