December 6, 2007

NYC Earmarks $800 Million For Green Projects

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has released a short-term action plan (PDF) to begin reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the City’s municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent by 2017 as part of PlaNYC.

The City, which accounts for approximately 6.5 percent of New York City’s total energy usage and 10 percent of its peak electricity demand, will finance the 10-year plan with an annual commitment of 10 percent ($80 million in Fiscal Year 2008) of the City’s annual energy expenditures ($800 million in Fiscal Year 2008).

The plan includes interior lighting retrofits, a Rikers Island Co-generation plant and laundry water recycling project, and an energy-efficient upgrade of the necklace lights on the Brooklyn Bridge.

“We’ve made a serious commitment to reducing the level of carbon emissions citywide, and as I’ve said repeatedly, City government must lead by example,” Mayor Bloomberg said.  “The short-term action plan that was submitted to me today by the steering committee will serve as a blueprint for moving forward this year, and will serve as the foundation for our 10-year plan to reduce emissions by 30 percent.  And in addition to reducing emissions in City government operations and City-owned buildings, our actions will serve as a model for the private sector.”

The short-term action plan includes 132 projects throughout all five boroughs and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 34,000 tons annually.

The city has also set aside $8 million for pilots and studies, and advisory services and $5 million for overruns.

The biggest cost comes from 108 interior lighting retrofits that carry a total price tag of $35.5 million.

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