NYC council passes laws to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, create energy code

NYC passes laws to make buildings more efficient

NEW YORK — New York City has passed legislation intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which are the city’s largest source of heat-trapping gases.

The City Council voted to pass a package of bills Wednesday. Mayor Michael Bloomberg says it will help achieve his goal of reducing the city’s carbon count by 30 percent by 2030.

The bills include a requirement that owners of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet conduct energy audits once every 10 years and make environmental “tuneups.”

It also creates the city’s first energy code for buildings.

Environmental groups say the bills put New York City ahead of the rest of the nation on green buildings.