The news is not at all unexpected.  And I think I support him.  I’m part of a top-notch coalition that is developing a policy roadmap for green-collar jobs in NYC — that is, recommendations for the next Administration for green job training and development programs.  In our talks, we always acknowledge that there might not be a “next Administration” — it may be Bloomberg.  And as I said, I think this could be good for the city.

Bloomberg is to be commended for his environmental vision, outlined in PlaNYC 2030, which, among many other things, aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.  Nancy Anderson, a great champion of greening NYC real estate (the sector where we can make the most progress in our overall effort to mitigate the effects of climate change, mostly because there are so many buildings) noted that Bloomberg didn’t come into office as an environmentalist, but he’s become one on the job, and he’s put considerable resources and clout behind it.

But he’s got a lot further to go.  PlaNYC is nearly 18 months old and is progressing more or less on schedule, but the mayor needs to make changes that are more permanent before he leaves office, to be sure that progress does not stall.

Another term will mean that coalitions such as ours will have the chance to really push him on the systemic changes that are needed.  For example, in order to reach the goals of retrofitting NYC buildings that are outlined in PlaNYC, the city will need to train workers.  He’s a pragmatist and he wants to put people to work.  If he gets the chance to do so, I hope he seizes it.