NYC's Transit Authority Announces Sustainability Plans

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced a series of sustainability initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact. 

The initiatives were part of the interim recommendations proposed by the Commission on Sustainability, formed in September 2007 by the MTA to create a plan in time for Earth Day 2008. 

The MTA’s commitments include:

• Derive 7% of its energy needs from solar, wind and other renewable sources by 2015. 
• 6 megawatts of solar power will be developed at MTA facilities through an RFP in partnership with the New York Power Authority and in cooperation with the Long Island Power Authority, creating the largest solar power project in Empire State history. 
• A substantial portion of the Roosevelt Island Subway Station will be powered by renewable tidal energy generated in the East River by Verdant Power. 
• Evaluating the feasibility of providing 14% of the power at the MTA Bus Company Far Rockaway Depot from wind turbines under an RFP process. 
• Offer incentive packages from various state agencies to encourage development at or near MTA stations. 
• Develop green design standards for transit facilities based on the LEED ratings, using the rigor and experience of the U.S. Green Building Council.
• The MTA will evaluate current water usage and available best practices to reduce the amount of potable water used to wash vehicles. 
• NYC Transit will evaluate ways to utilize water harvested from the subway system for various beneficial uses, such as cooling of some transformers.

The MTA also announced that it was temporarily changing the look of the MetroCard for the first time since MetroCard Gold was introduced in 1997. Five million special, limited edition cards will feature five informative messages celebrating Earth Day and describing transit riders’ role in making the New York region sustainable.