NEW ENERGY TO POWER THE BIG APPLE

Once again, New Energy defies party lines to impose its inescapable logic. Independent NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented an aggressive menu of New Energy options for the city and condemned political leaders to his left and right for not dealing with the energy issue.

No city needs electricity like New York City. Why not take advantage of the remarkable winds that whip through its manmade canyons? Why not grab the energy flowing out with the Hudson and East River currents and the energy of the tides flowing in with the Atlantic?

Bloomberg is also focused on making the city more efficient: “…we're determined to do what no other city has ever attempted, and that is to keep our energy usage at or near its current level even as our population grows."

In his remarks, Bloomberg made mention of the 2003 blackout that left 50 million people in the Northeast and Canada in the dark. To show the continued inadequacy of the grid, he cited this spring’s U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) study that described the need for $60 billion in new transmission infrastructure to deliver 20% of U.S. electricity from wind energy in the next 2 decades.

The point: Distributed local wind and solar energy sources on building rooftops, geothermal energy brought up from beneath the city and energy harvested from the rivers could provide supplemental power if/when the grid fails again.

Bloomberg also knows how to appeal to his constituency: "New York City is going to make money by being green…And that's the message we want to send to the private sector as well: You can have it both ways."

Bloomberg does not see his ambitions being without their difficulties: "There's a lot of logistical as well as esthetic considerations. Off-shore [wind] is much more likely…If there is a large ape that starts climbing the Empire State Building, it might get in his way."

On the other hand, Bloomberg is not without aspiration: "[It would be] a thing of beauty, if when Lady Liberty looks out on the horizon, she not only welcomes new immigrants to our shores, but lights their way with a torch powered by an ocean windfarm…"

A new problem for Kong? (click to enlarge)

NYC mayor calls for wind turbines atop skyscrapers
Joan Gralla (w/David Gregorio) August 20, 2008 (Reuters)
and
Big Green Apple: Mayor says answer to energy needs is blowin’ in wind
Adam Lisberg, August 19, 2008 (NY Daily News)

WHO
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City

WHAT
Bloomberg presented a plan to capture electricity from New York City’s solar, wind, current and tide energy assets.

An array at the bottom of the East River captures current energy and turns it into electricity for local businesses. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- The Mayor presented his plan August 19. He will also present it August 21 at the 2008 National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas.
- Bloomberg’s 2nd and last term ends in January 2010 so he will not be in office to see his plan completed.

WHERE
- Tide and current energies are available in the Hudson and East Rivers.
- Offshore wind is available off the Long Island’s coasts.
- Solar energy and onshore wind can be harvested atop the city’s skyscrapers.

WHY
- Bloomberg is one of the few U.S. politicians who advocates the politically unpopular carbon tax.
- His plan includes the puchase of wind through a state agency and incentivizing rooftop solar in the city. It gives NYC companies a month to present the Mayor's Economic Development Corp. with proposals.
- There are also proposals to install New Energy at the Bronx’s Pelham Bay and Staten Island’s Fresh Kills.
- Bloomberg has proposed cutting NYC greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030.
- New York City will soon enact laws and regulations for privately owned buildings requiring greater conservation and efficiency measures.

Another chapter in the story of one of the great bridges. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Bloomberg, on the carbon tax: "Some want a cap-and-trade system, which is like taking three right turns instead of one left."
- Bloomberg, on new NYC efficiency regulations: "…they'll also require cost-effective retrofits of our existing larger buildings…"
- Bloomberg, on his vision: "Perhaps companies will want to put wind turbines atop bridges and skyscrapers, or use the enormous potential of powerful off-shore winds miles out off the Atlantic Coast, where turbines could generate roughly twice the energy…"