Mayor Aims to Make Big Apple Windmill City

Wind could supply 10% of city's power under bold plan

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2008 2:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mayor Mike Bloomberg has unveiled a bold plan to harness alternative energy to power New York City, the New York Times reports. The mayor is calling for windmills to be built on the city's bridges and skyscrapers, and for offshore wind farms to be created that could supply 10% of the city's electricity in 10 years. Bloomberg has asked companies for proposals for renewable energy projects.

"When it comes to producing clean power, we’re determined to make New York the No. 1 city in the nation," Bloomberg told an alternative energy conference yesterday. Green energy could help the city avoid blackouts, although skeptics note that Bloomberg has only 18 months left in office to accomplish his ambitious plans.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg discusses alternative energy at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas yesterday. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)

Solar panels on the roof of one of Rockefeller Center's buildings were installed last year. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

The Brooklyn Bridge could soon sport windmills if Mayor Bloomberg's plan takes off. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Plans for Clean Energy Get Dirty in Transmission

Firms use green hype to build power lines that could carry electricity from coal

(NEWSER) - Plans to green the US power supply are in full swing, with the Obama administration working toward the goal of doubling the current supply of alternative energy over the next 3 years. But, some complain, power companies are using the popularity of green power to push through a needless—but highly profitable—expansion of the transmission grid, Katharine Mieszkowski writes for Salon. More»

Winter Chills Green Energy

Renewable energy industry works to deal with seasonal variations

(NEWSER) - Winter weather is cooling newfound enthusiasm for renewable energy, the New York Times reports. Solar panels get snowed up or suffer from lack of sunlight on short winter days, and biodiesel sometimes congeals in cold weather. Wintry weather is a plus for wind power, but turbines can get iced up and some observers say they hurl chunks of ice as they turn. More»

Outdated Power Grid Blowing Wind Energy Hopes: Experts

Creaky infrastructure not able to deliver alternative energy to consumers

(NEWSER) - The nation's outdated and congested power grid is putting a damper on plans to expand renewable energy programs, the New York Times reports. Generating power from the wind and sun is becoming easier—but getting the power to consumers who live far from the country's windiest and sunniest places remains a problem. More»

Google Funding Wind Power 'Superhighway'

$5B project will clear the way for future wind farms

(NEWSER) - Google is kicking in a major portion of the funding for a massive wind power project off the mid-Atlantic coast. The search king is investing in a 350-mile underwater cable network that will serve as a backbone for future wind farms, the New York Times reports. Google and renewable energy investment firm Good Energies have each agreed to take a 37.5% equity stake in the $5 billion project, which will begin construction in 2013 if regulatory hurdles can be overcome. More»

Wind Farms Scaring Off Porpoises

'Bubble curtains' could be the solution

(NEWSER) - Renewable energy from wind farms comes at the cost of scaring off porpoises, according to a German study of the country's first offshore wind farm. The marine mammals—who depend on their acute hearing for communication, orientation, and finding food—fled the area 30 miles off the German coast while the wind farm was under construction, and it's unclear whether they'll ever return, Der Spiegel reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Mayor Aims to Make Big Apple Windmill City

Wind could supply 10% of city's power under bold plan

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

New York City • alternative energy • Michael Bloomberg • renewable energy • solar power • wind power • wind farm

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Plans for Clean Energy Get Dirty in Transmission

Firms use green hype to build power lines that could carry electricity from coal

Winter Chills Green Energy

Renewable energy industry works to deal with seasonal variations

Outdated Power Grid Blowing Wind Energy Hopes: Experts

Creaky infrastructure not able to deliver alternative energy to consumers

Google Funding Wind Power 'Superhighway'

$5B project will clear the way for future wind farms

Wind Farms Scaring Off Porpoises

'Bubble curtains' could be the solution

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Mayor Aims to Make Big Apple Windmill City

Wind could supply 10% of city's power under bold plan

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

New York City • alternative energy • Michael Bloomberg • renewable energy • solar power • wind power • wind farm

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Plans for Clean Energy Get Dirty in Transmission

Firms use green hype to build power lines that could carry electricity from coal

Winter Chills Green Energy

Renewable energy industry works to deal with seasonal variations

Outdated Power Grid Blowing Wind Energy Hopes: Experts

Creaky infrastructure not able to deliver alternative energy to consumers

Google Funding Wind Power 'Superhighway'

$5B project will clear the way for future wind farms

Wind Farms Scaring Off Porpoises

'Bubble curtains' could be the solution

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?