Envirosphere

On February 2, 2012, the Urban Green Council released a report finding that New York City is on track to meet its goal of lowering carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste by following recommendations of the Green Codes Task Force.

The Task Force, which was created in 2008 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, consists of City officials and several hundred volunteers from architecture, public health, construction, real estate, organized labor, housing, and other fields.

The Task Force's recommendations cover revisions of City construction, fire, water, sewer, and zoning codes to incorporate a broad range of energy efficiency and environmental measures.

According to the report, the 29 recommendations adopted by the City to date will divert 100,000 tons of asphalt from landfills each year and, by 2030, reduce greenhouse gas emissions citywide by 5 percent, lower the costs of lighting energy by 10 percent, save 30 billion gallons of water through better plumbing regulations, treat 15 million gallons of toxic construction water, and provide $400 million in savings.

On March 20, 2012, New York City officials announced that the city is seeking contractors to design, build, install, and operate solar and wind power facilities at its closed Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island.

The facilities, envisioned as part of the city's PlaNYC sustainability plan, would provide 20 megawatts of electricity, which would double the city's current renewable energy capacity. About 75 acres at Fresh Kills are available for lease for development of large-scale facilities as part of a broader park plan.

According to the city, during the hottest summer days, demand for electricity forces the activation of inefficient in- city "peaker" plants, some of which burn heavy fuel oil. New alternative energy facilities at Fresh Kills will reduce the need for peak generation at the peaker plants.

The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2013.