New York Spends Green To Go Green

America’s most prominent city plans to lead a new example for the rest of the country. According to mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York will cut greenhouse gas emissions from municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent in 30 years.

He believes the $2.3 billion plan will cut “1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents a year from 2006 levels by 2017.” The strategy will involve improving heating and cooling systems, fixing methane leaks at water treatment plants, and then using that gas to generate electricity. He hopes the private sector will follow the example to create an overall, more energy-efficient city.

The wish may come true if Bloomberg and officials can prove their assertions that the investment will pay for itself in just a few years. They expect the billions being invested to break even by 2013.

“By 2015, we project we will have saved more on our energy bills than we will have spent on all our planned investments to that point,” said Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler to Reuters.

The plan hasn’t remained in the realm of conjecture either. The city has already committed $900 million to the initiative, and $80 million was spent to cut emissions in its last budget.

Perhaps the most appealing part of the plan is the fact that it will use current technology. Simple repairs and responsible management of leaky pipes, broken windows, and waste systems will also achieve many of the emissions reductions.