Climate Change News: New York City

Just as fast as it was voted in by New York City Council, the Bag Bill, imposing a 5-cent fee on all plastic bags used at retailers in New York City, was at risk of being killed when New York State Senate approved a bill to ban the bag fee on Tuesday, June 7th.

The current solar bureaucratic processes need to be rethought to ensure permitting does not hinder the growth of the solar industry so New York can reach its renewable energy goals

The future of New York City’s solid-waste management system has come into question as a $3.3 billion waste deal just fell through. The contract between the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and Progressive Waste Solutions subsidiary IESO would have shipped 27 million tons of waste by rail to a landfill in the Finger Lakes region over the next thirty years.

On Thursday, May 5th, the New York City Council voted in favor of Int. 0209-2014! This is a monumental step towards building a more progressive city, and this legislation will serve to make for a cleaner and healthier New York City and environment!

In celebration of Earth Day, Mayor de Blasio introduced the municipality’s new Solarize NYC plan to help make solar energy affordable. The announcement comes amidst a major statewide push for clean energy, and a number of successful developments in solar proliferation.

Under a bill by Queens Councilman Costa Constantinides, the Department of Transportation would launch a four-year pilot program to install up to seven charging stations per borough.

Today, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the City Council Transportation Committee unveiled the plan to make this year’s Earth Day one for the books.