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
| Feb 8, 2012
OSHA offers free health and safety consulting for small businesses
The consultants offer confidential, non-punitive advice.
| Feb 8, 2012
Controversy over pay for prisoners on roofing job in Michigan
The disagreement was over whether the prisoners should have been paid prevailing wage for their brief time on the job because the project was paid for with a U.S. Department of Energy grant.
| Jan 30, 2012
ZigBee and ISO 50001: Two new standards to make buildings greener
These developments demonstrate the dynamic nature of the market and the continued need for development of program standards of many different types that help builders and owners translate high performance and sustainable buildings goals into practical measures on the ground.
| Jan 30, 2012
New firm-fixed-price rules on federal contracts impact construction industry
Contractors will need to be on the lookout for policies such as the Contractor Accountability for Quality clause.
| Jan 30, 2012
Roofer’s fatal plunge demonstrates need for fall-prevention regulations
“The biggest problem is getting our workers to use the equipment,” says Michael J. Florio, executive director of the organization.
| Jan 26, 2012
Tampa moves to streamlined online permitting system
The system will replace an inefficient patchwork of old software and is designed to provide businesses, homeowners, and contractors with online access to permitting and licensing information.
| Jan 26, 2012
EPA to collect more data, seek comments before finalizing mud rule
The EPA says it will seek more data and is accepting comments until March 5.
| Jan 26, 2012
Industry challenges Connecticut's suit over defective construction work
The dispute arose over multimillion-dollar leaks at the University of Connecticut's law library.