In our project, we endeavor to understand the energy-efficient plans presented by ConEdison and National Grid for New York City residents, as well as the alternatives to non-sustainable fuel sources. In this section of the site, we will provide a lengthy overview of the various aspects to each of the aforementioned, and then explore the reasons why energy efficiency and cost are sometimes directly related.
New Yorkers face rising energy costs and carbon emissions from an ineffective market, aging infrastructure, inefficient buildings, and growing needs.
That’s why we must make smart investments in clean power and energy-saving technologies to reduce our electricity and heating bills by billions of dollars, while slashing our greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 27 million metric tons every year. -plaNYC
Group Members
Leslie Anselme
Tamar Chatzinoff
Dane St-Cyr
Every year, New Yorkers collectively spend approximately $13.4 billion on the energy that lights our buildings and powers our electronic devices, on our electrical delivery system, and on the fuel used for heating and hot water; the average residential energy bill is $145. But this consumption has additional costs. It is responsible for roughly 80% of our global-warming emissions and more than 40% of all locally generated air pollution.
Our existing fleet of power plants averages around 30 years old, and uses mostly out-of-date technologies. These older plants use 30% to 60% more fuel and produce sev- eral times the air pollution of newer plants to generate the same amount of electricity.
By 2015 alone, the city’s annual electricity and heating bill, excluding delivery costs, will increase by $3 billion, translating into energy bills that are annually $300 to $400 higher for the average New York household. As we consume more energy, our environmen- tal impact will increase accordingly. By 2015, we will be pumping an additional 4.6 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmo- sphere.
We know the solution: greater investment in a comprehensive energy efficiency plan, cou- pled with an increase in clean supply.
We must target our largest energy consumers—institutional buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, and multi-family residential buildings—and accelerate energy efficiency upgrades through a system of incentives, mandates, and challenges.
The City will propose an amendment to the City Charter that will require it to invest 10% of its energy bill in reducing the energy consumed by City operations.
By spreading the charges of these initia- tives among all energy users, the costs will be reasonable—approximately $2.50 per month for the average household. But they will reap enormous benefits for the entire city.
The environmental impacts will be equally impressive. By 2015, our carbon emissions will have been slashed by seven million tons, bringing us closer to our goal of reducing the city’s greenhouse gases by 30% by 2030 and providing a healthier environment for all New Yorkers.
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