NYCHA releases ambitious sustainability plan

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NYCHA announced their plan to retrofit all complexes to meet energy efficiency standards. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan file

NYCHA announced their plan to retrofit all complexes to meet energy efficiency standards. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan file

By Rachel Vick

The New York City Housing Authority released a plan to slash carbon emissions through system-wide improvements on Wednesday, in celebration of Energy Efficiency Day 2020.

The NYCHA Climate Mitigation Roadmap is a four-point plan to reduce energy waste, move away from steam heating, improve building infrastructure and incentivize residents to cut their own energy use. The plan would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent over the next 10 years and 80 percent by 2050 to meet New York City guidelines. 

“NYCHA is using the full weight of its size and buying power to make cutting-edge green technology more accessible for public housing residents, and New Yorkers in general” said NYCHA’s Executive Vice President of Capital Projects Steve Lovci.

In accordance with New York City’s emission-trimming Local Law 97, NYCHA would retrofit its buildings and facilities to cut pollution. The plan outlines methods for increasing energy efficiency, like improving temperature regulation and switching from gas to electric stoves.

The improvements will contribute to NYCHA’s ongoing efforts to go green, which include the installation of solar panels and an HVAC heat pump pilot program.

"To confront climate change and social inequality in tandem, we must actively, and intentionally improve housing, green spaces, and air quality for our most vulnerable residents," said New York City’s Director of Sustainability Mark Chambers.

Despite the plan’s lofty goals, problems abound in the city’s sprawling public housing system, home to more than 600,000 people.

Lead paint, broken elevators, and heat and hot water outages continue to plague the sprawling campuses. 

Governments at all levels have abdicated their responsibility to public housing tenants over the previous four decades. 

The plan does not give specific details about the cost of the plan and NYCHA has not issued contracts.