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PlaNYC sets a goal of achieving a 30 percent reduction in New York City’s annual greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030. Acknowledging that nearly 80 percent of our citywide emissions result from the energy that we use in buildings, we have set out to improve the energy efficiency of New York City’s buildings. In 2008, we began leading by example by producing a Long-Term Plan to Reduce Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Muncipal Buildings and Operations (in PDF), increasing the energy efficiency of dozens of city buildings, and working with institutions like universities and theaters to address their energy consumption as well. Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Quinn asked the US Green Building Council to lead a Green Codes Task Force to develop specific recommendations to eliminate barriers to green construction and to require low-cost measures. To increase direct incentives for energy efficiency, the City has continued to advocate that the New York State Public Service Commission approve a full package of energy efficiency programs targeted at multi-family apartment buildings, rental properties, and large commercial buildings.

On Earth Day 2009, the Mayor and the Speaker announced our comprehensive approach to require ongoing efficiency improvements in existing large buildings, which consume nearly half of the city’s energy. By 2030, we project that 85 percent of our energy use will come from buildings that already exist today; as a result, we cannot simply rely on new buildings to be more efficient. To ensure that existing buildings become more efficient over time, the Mayor and the Speaker have proposed a Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (in PDF), consisting of the following six components:

1. New York City Energy Code
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   Read Intro 0564-A (in PDF)
   
   
2. Lighting Upgrades
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   Read Intro 0973 (in PDF)
   
   
3. Benchmarking
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   Read Intro 0476-A (in PDF)
   
   
4. Audits and Retrofits
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   Read Intro 0967 (in PDF)
   
   
5. Green Workforce Development Training
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6. Green Building Financing
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