Res. No. 718

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the New York Tax Law to provide a State personal income tax credit and corporate franchise tax credit for property owners that install green roofs.

By Council Members Koppell, Weprin, Gennaro, Avella, Brewer, Fidler, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Liu, Nelson, Recchia Jr., Sanders Jr. and Mark-Viverito

Whereas, New York City continually confronts the problems of air pollution, compromised water quality, and the "urban heat island effect”, which is the difference in temperature between a city and the surrounding countryside and is caused by the expanse of dark surfaces, which absorb solar radiation instead of reflecting it away, causing the temperature of the surfaces and the air around them to rise, as well as transferring collected heat inside of buildings; and 

Whereas, The urban heat island effect is increased because cities have less foliage to shade buildings, intercept solar radiation, and cool the air and New York City, specifically, is estimated to be 3.6°F to 5.4°F warmer than surrounding suburbs in the summer; and

Whereas, Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) regularly occur during periods of rainfall or snowmelt in New York City, resulting in the annual emission of billions of gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater directly into our waterways; and

Whereas, Stormwater, itself, may also contain a number of harmful pollutants, including heavy metals, grease and oil, toxins, bacteria and sediments; and

Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency has designated the New York Metropolitan Area as a “nonattainment area” for PM2.5 and ozone, meaning that our area does not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set for those pollutants pursuant to the Clean Air Act; and

Whereas, Air quality is a vital concern, particularly since one in eight New Yorkers has been diagnosed with asthma at some point during their lives; and

Whereas, A green roof is a roof <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof> of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane, which also protects the integrity of the underlying roof; and

Whereas, Green roofs provide a number of environmental and public health benefits, including reduction of the “urban heat island effect”, stormwater retention, improved air quality, energy conservation, and habitat, in addition to economic, recreational and aesthetic advantages; and

Whereas, The installation of green roofs would assist in moderating the “urban heat island effect” and would consequently result in reduced energy consumption and  associated costs during the summer months for the City and its residents and businesses; and

Whereas, A green roof can absorb up to 75% of the rain that falls on it, thus significantly mitigating stormwater runoff and CSOs and the resulting negative impacts; and

Whereas, Green roofs filter airborne particulates and provide cleaner and safer air to breathe; and

Whereas, Numerous jobs would be created for a multitude of professionals and industries from the creation of green roofs; and

Whereas, The “urban heat island” effect, water pollution resulting from stormwater runoff, and air quality problems should be addressed in a practical and environmentally acceptable manner; and

Whereas, Providing a financial incentive for property owners to install green roofs would not only improve the value of their properties and provide benefits to such individuals, but would also be valuable to the entire City; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend the New York Tax Law to provide a State personal income tax credit and corporate franchise tax credit for property owners that install green roofs.

DD 2/23/07

LS #2658