As part of a $100MM makeover currently underway at City Hall, the circa 1812 landmark building may be getting solar panels! The plan still has to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but if it moves forward it's estimated the panels would "generate 27,708 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, or enough to power about half the lights in the seat of government."
According to the NY Post, it was believed this would make City Hall the oldest building to go solar, but the White House (completed in 1800) also has them. We asked Solar One's Christopher Neidl what he thought of the move; he told us: "I think that the new system on City Hall is symbolically appropriate because it signals that record of achievement and a long-term commitment to solar going forward." However, he also noted that "the City's ability to really drive local solar growth is constrained by the higher regulatory authority of the state and federal government."
Meanwhile, there's another effort going on to make City Hall more green. Daniel Bowman Simon has been pushing for a People's Garden in front of the building. He told us this morning, "I don't know how many New Yorkers are asking for solar panels at City Hall, but there are thousands asking for a vegetable garden right at its steps. It is a testament to Mayor Bloomberg's PLANYC vision that he is planning to showcase renewable energy at City Hall, and willing to go before the Landmark Preservation Commission to do so! That gives me great hope that in the near future they will also work with through the bureaucracy to enable a vegetable garden to be planted. There were potted plants in front of City Hall until Mayor Giuliani removed them, and it's time to bring them back and grow some healthy food as an example to the rest of the City." Put down that Double Down and sign the petition!
