Historic Climate Mobilization Act in NYC Passed

The Climate Mobilization Act was passed in April. This act includes bills that will help build the Green New Deal for NYC. This would require buildings over 25,00 SF to include a sustainable roofing zone on new construction buildings and buildings undergoing certain major renovations. It also includes a request to increase of the PACE real property tax abatement for the installation of green roofs to $15 per SF. Read more information below.
 

How Cities are Driving Growth in the Green Roofing Market

Green Roofs and Meadows Becoming Popular in Philadelphia. 

CBS 3 recently did a story focusing on how the city of Philadelphia is recognizing the benefits of green roofing within their local sewer and storm water municipalities. There are now over 400,000 square feet of roof meadow green roofs across Philadelphia County alone, beautifying the city and making Philadelphia an example for other communities across the country and the world.

Dearborn Truck Plant Green Roof Thrives After Two Decades

Look  Up To Make Room For A Greener NYC

The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest conservation organization, working in all 50 sates and over 70 counties. They recently did a report on green roof mapping results they found after studies conducted in New York city over the last few years. They found that while green roofs atop the city's buildings offer numerous benefits, these roofs are still a largely untapped resource. These green roofs have high potential yet are still a highly underutilized asset. 

Using Green Roofs To Reduce Heat Islands

The EPA has put together information on their website that discusses how green roofing helps to reduce the urban heat island effect. This page also goes over the differences in different green roofs, as well as the benefits of green roofing. It is a good place to point anyone looking to educate themselves and learn a bit more about green roofing.

The Benefits of A Green Roof Go Way Beyond Economics

Javits Convention Center Home to Birds, Bats and Bees

Spectrum News NY 1 did a brief story recently on the newborn seagulls who reside on the Javits rooftop, as well as the other bird, bat and bee species that call the green roof on Javits Convention Center their home. 

Green Roofs Are Sprouting Up On Buses in Singapore

CNN recently reported on a neat new trend that they are seeing pop up across Singapore- green roofs atop buses throughout the city. They implemented a "Garden On The Move" campaign as part of a trial to see whether plants can help reduce the temperatures inside buses so that fuel can be saved that is usually spent on air conditioning. They currently have 10 public buses with green roofs installed on them as part of the trial.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Local Market Symposiums Being Held

These one-day events will feature industry experts and local leaders presenting on green roofs and walls, local standout projects and the importance of strong green roof and wall policy. The symposiums will also feature a trade show for local green roof and wall companies, interactive panel discussions and workshops to help develop policy locally. The schedule is as follows: Pittsburgh, PA July 29th; Denver, CO August 9th; Portland, OR September 13th; Edwardsville, IL September 23rd and Austin, TX November 5th. To register for any of these events, see below. *Please note that registration for Portland and Texas are not yet open, but will be soon. 

Green Roof Virtual Summit Being Held in September

Washington, DC RiverSmart Rooftops Green Roof Rebate Program

Washington DC's RiverSmart Rooftops Green Roof rebate program has expanded, with rebated of up to $15 per square foot based on location. Residential, commercial and institutional rebates are available on a first come, first serve for qualified properties. There is no size restriction for applicants. 

Department of Environmental Protection NYC Grant

Privately owned properties within New York City are eligible for the environmental protection grant from the DEP. Some of the main requirements for the grant include but are not limited to, project cost of at least $35,000, providing twenty years of maintenance, and having a structural analysis showing the load bearing capacity of the roof is capable of handling the design. The DEP grant holds four workshops in 2019 to get a better grasp on the requirements and application process. The remaining dates for the workshops this year are September 11^th, and December 11th. This green infrastructure grant program has a rolling application process, which means no deadlines so applications can be filed any time of the year.

PACE Financing

PACE: Property Assessed Clean Energy - Mechanism for financing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on private property. Property owners that voluntarily choose to participate in a PACE program repay their improvement costs over a set time period—typically 10 to 20 years—through property assessments, which are secured by the property itself and paid as an addition to the owners' property tax bills. A PACE assessment is a debt of property, meaning the debt is tied to the property as opposed to the property owner(s). In turn, the repayment obligation may transfer with property ownership if the buyer agrees to assume the PACE obligation and the new first mortgage holder allows the PACE obligation to remain on the property. This can address a key disincentive to investing in energy improvements because many property owners are hesitant to make property improvements if they think they may not stay in the property long enough for the resulting savings to cover the upfront costs. More than 30 states plus the District of Columbia have C-PACE (Commercial PACE) enabling legislation and more than $500 million in projects have been financed.

Philadelphia Offers Rebates and Tax Incentives for Green Roofing and Storm Water Management