Finally!

I’ve been working at the CUNY Building Performance Lab for two years and have gotten a lot of blank stares when I explain what we do — improve the energy efficiency of NYC’s commercial buildings through a number of programs.  (People usually think of green buildings as new construction — frankly, no new building is going to save the world.  It’s improving what we’ve got that’ll make the difference!)

But now that efficiency has gotten, well, not exactly sexy, but certainly prominent, I have the exciting experience of hearing arcane stuff like building codes discussed on WNYC and NY1.

On Earth Day, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced the Greener, Greater Building Plan, which will be a major force in getting the city to its big PlaNYC goal: a 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.  Nancy Anderson of the Sallan Foundation wrote a great piece on the plan (she highlights some of the missing pieces: enforcement mechanisms, carrots to encourage early adopters, and concrete job training programs).

Nearly 80% of the city’s emissions are from its buildings — much higher than the national average.  This represents a tremendous opportunity.  We’re already a very efficient city (let’s here it for public transportation and multi-family housing!), but we’ve got a hard push ahead of us to make the city sustainable.

I’m very excited to be a part of that effort.  With the support of the EPA Region 2, we’re creating a website that’ll help NYC property managers and owners go green, and we’re focusing on compliance with the new legislation.

I <3 New York and I want my grandkiddies to <3 it, too.  This plan will help ensure there’s something for them to love.