The Carbon Neutrality amendment will help address obstacles and restrictions that currently limit the installation of green technology and infrastructure like solar panels. Credit: NYC DEP
On March 8, 2023, the New York League of Conservation Voters and NYLCV Education Fund released the 2023 New York City Policy Agenda, which cited support for Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment. The New York League of Conservation Voters is a statewide environmental organization that advocates for clean water and air, renewable energy and open spaces.
The City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality amendment aims to help the city reach its goal of an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 with changes to the zoning text that will remove obstacles for the installation of green technology and infrastructure, support electric vehicles, and allow the city to plan for a renewable energy grid. Last month, CityLand covered a City Planning Commission special review session for the amendment. For more information about the City of Yes amendments, click here.
The League of Conservation Voters’ Policy Agenda states, “For too long, the City’s zoning regulations prohibited buildings from making necessary green investments to fight climate change and cut down on toxic air pollution. This year, New York City has an opportunity to modernize the City’s zoning regulations to support the City and State’s climate goals by approving the City of Yes Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment.” The policy agenda can be found here.
The announcement of support comes just ahead of two information sessions hosted by the Department of City Planning. The first virtual information sessions regarding the Carbon Neutrality amendment will be held on March 20 and 28, from 7 to 9 PM. For more information on the March 20th session, click here. For more information on the March 28th session, click here.
The formal public review process for the amendment is expected to begin this spring.
Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick stated, “We’re honored to have the League of Conservation Voters’ support for the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality initiative as we take critical steps to allow us to meet New York’s climate goals. This proposed zoning change will make it easier to green our grid, reduce our carbon emissions, and lower Yorkers’ energy costs. We’ll continue to partner with environmental advocates to say yes to a greener, more resilient future as the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality initiative progresses.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)
DCP: New York League of Conservation Voters Backs Mayor Adams’ City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality Proposal (March 8, 2023.)
