The New York League of Conservation Voters joined Councilmembers and other civic activists on the steps of City Hall today to support passage of a package of legislation called the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. You can learn more about the plan by visiting www.nylcv.org.
The plan would create New York City's first Energy Code and includes other initiatives to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and create thousands of construction-
"This is a ground-breaking package of legislation that will dramatically improve New York's energy efficiency and reduce both energy usage and the costs to owners and occupants across the city," said Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn and Environmental Protection Chair James Gennaro are raising the bar for progressive urban energy policy around the nation and around the world."
The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, first announced by Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Quinn on Earth Day, represents the most comprehensive, ambitious and coordinated plan ever proposed to cut carbon emissions from existing buildings, the greatest source of CO2 emissions in American cities.
Buildings account for 80 percent of New York City's carbon emissions, and energy costs are estimated at $15 billion a year. The proposed green buildings plan would reduce both carbon emissions and consumer costs.
The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan represents New York City's largest step so far toward reducing carbon emissions to meet the goals of PlaNYC and the requirements of Local Law 55 of 2007, which requires carbon emission reductions of 30% by 2030. Once adopted, the plan will position New York City as the nation's leader in the goal of promoting energy efficiency and growing the green economy.
New York City's Greener, Greater Buildings Plan will:
* Reduce greenhouse gas emissions nearly 5%;
* Save New Yorkers more than $700 million annually in energy costs;
* Improve conditions for tenants;
* Create more than 17,000 construction related jobs in coming years.
