| As a central tenant of our mission at Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, we are committed to advocating for widespread acceptance and policy support for green roofs and walls in municipalities across North America. New York City Council Holding Hearings on Green Roof Legislation As part of our policy advocacy efforts, we are requesting Letters of Support from developers and building owners who have benefited from their green roof project for a legislative package in front of New York City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee by no later than January 25thLetters should be sent to Blaine Stand (bstand@greenroofs.org). In June 2018, New York City Council Members Costa Constantinides, District 22; Rafael Espinal, District 37; Stephen Levin, District 33; and Donovan Richards, District 31; formally introduced a package of legislation aimed at expanding green roofs in New York City as a concerted effort to combat climate change. On January 28, 2019, the Committee on Environmental Protection will be holding a public hearing to discuss the proposed legislation: Int 141 – Local Law to amend the New York city administrative code, in relation to requiring that the roofs of city-owned buildings be partially covered in source control measures. Int 276 – Local Law to amend the New York city building code, in relation to requiring that the roofs of certain new buildings be partially covered in plants or solar panels. Int 961 – Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to extending J-51 benefits to owners of multiple dwellings for green roofs. Int 1031 – Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to posting information regarding green roofs on the website of the office of alternative energy. Int 1032 – Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that the roofs of certain buildings be covered in green roofs, solar panels or small wind turbines. Int 1317 – Local Law to amend the New York city noise control code, the administrative code of the city of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to large wind turbines. Res 66 – Resolution calling upon the State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would increase the real property tax abatement for the installation of a green roof to $15 per square foot. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is coordinating a campaign to see the legislation pass and provide additional technical input to New York City As part of this initiative, GRHC is seeking letters of support from developers and building owners who have benefited from their green roof project and support these legislative initiatives. If you are able to contact owners and/or developers in New York City that would be willing to submit written testimony in support of these measures, please encourage them to draft a one page letter, addresses to Costa Constantinides, Environment Protection Committee, and emailed to Blaine Stand (bstand@greenroofs.org) by no later than Friday January 25th. There are a number of important steps over the coming months to achieve a mandate for green roofs in New York, and with your assistance we can help New York City take this important step towards long-term resilience, and significantly grow the green roof market. If you have any questions regarding this effort, contact Blaine Stand for details. Thank you for your support! Green Roofs for Healthy Cities |
