Mayor DeBlasio cuts pollution through improved building efficiency

Media Releases

Media Contacts
Heather Leibowitz

Environment New York

[NEW YORK, NY] – Today, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced new policies that will require building owners to sharply cut emissions of the pollution that causes global warming. The policies will require the 14,500 least efficient buildings in the city to upgrade their energy performance by 2030. These buildings are responsible for almost a quarter of the city’s climate-changing pollution. The city calls it “the most ambitious program of its kind in the nation.”

Heather Leibowitz, State Director of Environment New York, issued the following statement praising the step forward:

“New York City understands that we cannot continue depending on dirty fuels for our energy without making us more vulnerable to the serious impacts of global warming. Mayor DeBlasio is wisely aiming for the lowest-hanging fruit with today’s order. Energy efficiency improvements are the cheapest and fastest way for us to cut pollution in the City. And not only will these measures reduce pollution – they will protect our health, make our buildings more comfortable, save us money and create jobs. 

“This is what leadership on climate looks like. Especially in an era where federal leadership is lacking, local measures like this are critical ways to keep America on track. Every city in the country should follow Mayor DeBlasio’s example.

“Environment New York looks forward to working with the Mayor’s office to meet and exceed the goals of today’s order. Together, we can prevent the worst impacts of climate change.”