To commemorate Earth Day, the MTA announced the installation of energy-saving LED lights that will be used during weekend track work. The move will save at least $500,000. If you're saying to yourself, "Nothing is sexier than energy-saving LED lights, absolutely nothing," you'd be wrong: a report released by the agency also shows that the average MTA trip keeps 10.39 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere. Or in Earth Day currency, that's the amount of carbon removed by nine trees in a month.
The MTA and the NYPA are also upgrading equipment at Grand Central that will save $3 million a year in energy costs and will prevent the release of 10,000 tons of carbon into the atmosphere annually. And a new $25 million LIRR train car wash facility being built in Babylon will use recycled water and save $6,700 in utility costs anually. If only we could take the subway more on nights and weekends. Bring on the congestion pricing!
