New York City’s $14 billion Green New Deal, recently unveiled by Mayor Bill de Blasio, includes a ban on inefficient “classic glass and steel skyscrapers.”
The controversial measure is part of a plan to reduce greenhouse emissions 30% by 2030. Also included is a mandate to building owners to retrofit their structures to make them more energy efficient.
Non-compliance with the mayor’s 2030 goals could result in fines of $1 million or more.
De Blasio said New York is the first major metro in the world to force owners to pursue energy efficiencies for existing buildings. The plan also calls for:
• Investing in construction of community parks and development of open spaces
• Creating or preserving 300,000 affordable housing units by 2026
• Advancing resilient construction projects
• Installing one million sf of heat-resistant rooftop coatings
• Updating building codes to counteract effects of sea level rise
• Mandatory organics recycling
Related Stories
| Mar 15, 2012
New Florida building code establishes flood and storm surge provisions
The new 2010 code establishes minimum design and construction requirements to protect buildings from wind, rain, floods, and storm surges.
| Mar 15, 2012
Illinois city rejects international code due to home sprinkler requirement
Macomb, Illinois aldermen voted to recommend that the city not adopt 2012 international building and residential code standards requiring the installation of overhead sprinkler systems in newly constructed one-family and two-family homes.
| Mar 15, 2012
Tenant advocates propose licensing landlords in New York City
With thousands of New York City rental units posing potential dangers to tenants, city advocates are proposing measures to make landlords improve building safety.
| Mar 15, 2012
Construction industry a big winner in federal small disadvantaged business procurement
Last year, only 5% of federal contract dollars went to small disadvantaged businesses. Construction and facilities support firms were the biggest beneficiaries.
| Mar 15, 2012
ANSI approves new fall protection standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved two American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) standards addressing fall protection.
| Mar 8, 2012
Engineering innovation provides new option for meeting seismic codes in skyscrapers
Two University of Toronto engineers have developed “viscoelastic-energy-dissipating dampers” to replace many of the heavy concrete beams used in tall structures.
| Mar 8, 2012
CSI webinar on building code compliance March 22
A March 22 webinar will provide an overview of a 28-step process during the design of a building to ensure compliance with building codes.
| Mar 8, 2012
Federal silica dust rule caught in bureaucratic limbo
A federal rule meant to protect the lungs of workers has been caught in bureaucratic purgatory for more than a year.
| Mar 8, 2012
New LEED-EBOM rating has requirements for specific project types
Several key changes are proposed for the LEED-EBOM Rating System in 2012.
