Winter 2005

On December 16, 2005 Urban Agenda and the JSM Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies co-sponsored a forum that outlined the troubling consequences of today's energy policy while also highlighting the growth potential of green collar jobs - jobs which meet environmental and economic goals. Speakers included J.J. Johnson, Editor of Our Life and Times published by 1199SEIU; Lee Smith, Managing Director of the National Photovoltaic Construction Partnership an IBEW initiative; and Howard Styles, Training Director of the International Operating Engineers Local 94.

The current assault on environmental oversight and shortsighted energy policy impacts working people in many ways. Today's asthma epidemic is centered in poorer urban areas like the South Bronx where the disease is exacerbated by a concentration of power plants, waste transfer stations and oftentimes poor housing conditions. According to the statistics of 1199SEIU's National Benefit Fund, the number of 1199ers and their family members with asthma stands at a staggering 40,000. Hospitalization rates for Bronx asthmatics are five times higher than the national average and deaths from the disease are three times higher. As Editor, J.J. led the effort to produce "Our Environment and Our Health" a collection of powerful stories that demonstrate how environmental issues impact working people. In the magazine Dennis Rivera, 1199SEIU's President, states, "Defense of the environmental must become an integral part of the 1199SEIU program and consciousness." 1199SEIU represents more than 275,000 workers and is largest union of healthcare employees in New York.

To address these issues unions throughout NYC are developing innovative programs that maximize energy efficiency and raise consciousness. For example, Local 94 of the International Operating Engineers has instituted a cutting edge energy saving training program. Local 94's members operate some of the most important building in New York City and are regularly challenged to reduce energy costs and improve building performance. Many Local 94 members now operate "green" or high performance buildings, ones that incorporate energy efficiency technologies and environmentally-friendly building products. Major developers like Turner Construction have studied the real estate market and find growing demand for high performance building construction. As this trend continues and further complicates building management the need for highly skilled building operators becomes all the more critical.

High performance buildings also present the opportunity to create a green re-industrialization since green design principles also prioritize locally sourced products. We believe that NYC should lead by example and applaud City Council and the Mayor's role in ensuring that all new substantial capital projects be built to meet high performance building standards. With this legislation, NYC is taking a bold step towards creating new jobs, strengthening existing industries, improving healthy, reducing energy demand, and ensuring NYC's long-term competitiveness. The legislation, slated to take effect on January 1, 2007, will apply to the construction and rehabilitation of municipal buildings (including schools, hospitals, and city agency offices) and other construction projects that receive $10 million or more of city funds. The legislation will affect approximately $12 billion in construction over the City's ten-year capital plan, including $5 billion in school construction. By significantly improving the performance of major new and renovated public capital construction projects, energy costs for these projects will decrease an average of 30 to 40 percent, and the waste and pollution generated by buildings will be reduced.

Lee Smith discussed the potential growth of the solar industry. Rising energy costs and growing government subsidies have made solar, like other renewables more cost effective. In a report to Mayor Bloomberg, the New York City Energy Policy Task Force, a public, private and nonprofit effort, found that NYC will need 2,600 megawatts of new energy by 2008. Due to transmission capacity and reliability concerns, New York City is required to produce 80 percent of the City's energy with in-City resources. To meet this need the City has a number of options. It can either continue the policy of fossil fuel led energy production and commission another three of four new power plants or it can invest in energy efficiency measures and renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal or it could do a combination of both.

Investing in renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency means new jobs and healthier communities. Here in lies the opportunity.

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April 8-10

PV Installation Workshop at Bronx Community College

Bronx Community CollegeÂ’s Center for Sustainable Energy hosted a PV Installation Workshop from April 8-10, 2005. For more information about this event click here

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April 8, 2005

High Performance Building Tour

NYC Apollo – as a part of the High Performance Building Academy sponsored by the CUNY Grad Center and the Center for Environmental and Economic Partnership – organized a High Performance Building Tour which presented several of the most unique showpieces in urban construction in New York City.

• The new Staten Island Ferry Terminal, illustrating the potential of high performance infrastructure projects;
• 4 Times Square, highlighting high performance high end commercial space; and
• 1400 on 5th, the cityÂ’s first high performance affordable housing site.

Each high performance building was designed and constructed to achieve maximum performance by using energy efficient technologies and significantly reducing the cost of construction and maintenance. The tour brought together government, labor, business, environmental, political and community leaders to discover and experience the myriad economic development, health, and productivity benefits of high performance development. Click here to read more. Click here to see photos!

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April 4-8

High Performance Building Academy

On April 4 City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. launched the High Performance Building Academy by giving a compelling speech which outlined the economic and environmental potential of high performance buildings. He recognized NYC Apollo saying our “ten-point plan for creating jobs, changing energy supply and demand, and improving the environment here in New York includes elements we would be wise to seriously consider”.

He further explained that "NYC Apollo's plan is designed to cultivate a market for energy efficiency, high performance buildings, and other green technologies. At the same time, it seeks to develop training programs to ensure a ready workforce and identify innovative financing models and incentives to minimize costs. This is the kind of creative thinking we need to make progress in this area.” Click here to read his full speech.

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February 17

Community Energy Forum with Councilmember Tish James.

NYC Apollo co-sponsored a Community Energy Forum with Councilmember Tish James. To see the press release please click here.