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| ANNOUNCING... |
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| New York City Broadband Public Hearing Announcement
The New York City Broadband Advisory Committee formed earlier this year to advise the mayor and speaker of the council on issues pertaining to access to broadband technologies within New York City. The Committee and Council Member Gale Brewer, Chair of the Technology in Government Committee, are in the process of holding public hearings in each of the five boroughs to hear testimony from residents, nonprofit organizations and businesses about the availability and affordability of broadband Internet service. The first hearing was held on March 30, 2007 in the Bronx and the second hearing was held in Brooklyn on May 22, 2007.
If you would like to testify at any of the remaining hearings (Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens), please contact City Council's Jeff Baker (jeffrey.baker@council.nyc.ny.us / 212-788-9193), Counsel to the Committee on Technology in Government. Borough residents, nonprofit organizations and businesses are particularly encouraged to testify at their corresponding hearing. For more information, visit the unofficial website of the NYC Broadband Advisory Committee. |
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| IN THE NEWS... |
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| Mayor Announces Long-Term
Sustainability Plan
On Earth Day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced his plan for a "Greener, Greater New York." The comprehensive report outlines 127 different initiatives to improve quality of life through the year 2030.
Also known as "plaNYC," the plan covers six areas: land, water, transportation, energy, air quality, and climate change. The most controversial idea in the plan is the Mayor's proposal for congestion pricing for Manhattan south of 86th Street, using London's system as a model.
The energy section of the plan takes aim at carbon emissions, energy costs, an aging infrastructure, gaps in clean energy supply, and forecasted consumption increases. It calls for the creation of a New York City Energy Planning Board to develop long-term strategies to achieve the City's goals for the following:
- securing dependable energy supplies
- improving participation in demand-side programs
- cleaning up the environment
- moderating prices to consumers
- minimizing land use impacts
With a major emphasis on reducing energy use in new and existing buildings, and also in government properties, the plan details sources for more dedicated funding to City energy planning efforts. |
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| Con Edison, Keyspan Gas Rate Cases
In Progress
Con Edison and KeySpan Energy are both currently involved in gas case proceedings before the State Public Service Commission in order to determine the rates for future utility service, and the terms and conditions the Commission will require of the companies during the gas rate plan periods that will begin in the fall of 2007. The City and NYCEDC are active parties in both gas rate case proceedings, acting on behalf of all City business and residential gas customers. We will be seeking greater gas efficiency measures, as well as efforts to contain price increases and to recognize the needs of low income consumers.
In addition, as KeySpan has sought to enter into a merger agreement with a British-owned utility, National Grid, the City and NYCEDC will seek terms in any agreement authorized by the Commission that will adequately protect consumers from merger-related costs and also limit the market power of the merged corporation if the transaction goes forward.
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| TECHNOLOGY CORNER... |
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Though they may look strange, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are an easy way to cut your energy bill. Since the spiral-shaped bulbs don't produce as much waste heat as incandescent bulbs, they are much more energy efficient. A CFL lasts up to eight times longer than a regular bulb and saves both money and energy during its lifetime. The simple step of changing out the 5 most-used light bulbs in your home will help New York City meet its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030. While safe for household use, CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury, so it's important to dispose of them properly and recycle them where facilities are available.
Visit www.energystar.gov, for more information on CFLs and other energy efficient home products.
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