Manhattan Goes Green

Last week, the New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Expressions of Interest from enterprises with experience in implementing renewable energy projects and other interested parties. Specifically, the Request seeks information regarding potential renewable energy projects that have environmental and economic vitality and work to reduce emission of greenhouse gases.

As defined in the Request, renewable energy projects include energy generation from renewable sources such as solar, wind, anaerobic gas, geothermal and tidal power. Projects can include installations within or outside New York City’s boundaries and provide a direct correlation to providing cleaner power to New York City government, residents and businesses.

This will give your business an opportunity to promote its established or emerging renewable energy project and help New York City identify opportunities for the expansion of renewable energy, please

The Request states that projects can be at the conceptual, planning and/or design phase and can be initiated by public, private or non-profit entities. Projects include demonstrations, small scale installations (less than 50 MW) and large scale installations (50 MW or greater). Projects that will provide clean, reliable power (both electric and thermal) and employ technologies where there is potential growth and commercial viability in New York City will receive the strongest consideration.

New York City has 127 initiatives to improve its environment and develop clean technology and renewable energy solutions. Some of the projects NYC has already invested in include: solar installations at public schools; fuel cells run on anaerobic digester gas at wastewater treatment plants; and a procurement of 13 MW of wind energy. The City is also identifying third-parties to own, operate and maintain solar systems on certain municipal buildings, and is promoting solar property tax abatement.

Deadline for project submissions is September 19, 2008.

Vincent DeVito

vdevito@bowditch.com