A property tax abatement of $100,000 hasn’t enticed many New York City building owners to green up their roofs.
Only seven roofs have been granted the abatement in the program's nine years. Today, green roofs cover only 1 in 1,000 buildings across the city’s five boroughs.
The benefits of green roofs—insulative qualities and the ability to soak up stormwater, reducing runoff by more than 50%—make the city’s failed policy worth reforming, advocates say. The program offers just a $5.23 abatement for each square foot of vegetation, about half the minimum that experts say would spur property owners to act.
Few owners have applied for the credit, so the city has spent nowhere near the $1 million per year authorized by state regulators. Thus, raising the incentive may be worthwhile.
Related Stories
Energy | Sep 13, 2016
Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy
The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.
Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016
Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts
A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.
Legislation | Sep 8, 2016
Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects
Missouri is the latest to enact design-build legislation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2016
Vapor intrusion risk addressed in new ASTM guide update
The updates address industry confusion over how to handle the issue.
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sustainability | Aug 30, 2016
New federal project plans must include climate impacts
Agencies must quantify the specific impacts when possible.
Green | Aug 29, 2016
Vancouver, B.C., to require zero emissions on new buildings by 2030
No net GHG emissions will be allowed.