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Empire State Building Going Green

Makeover project hailed as a landmark for energy efficiency

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2009 1:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Empire State Building is getting a makeover to reduce its King Kong-sized carbon footprint, NY1 reports. As part of a larger renovation, "green" improvements will be made to the 78-year-old building—including an update for all 6500 of the structure’s windows—to reduce its energy consumption by 38%. City officials hope the move will be an inspiration to other developers.

"People associate greening with expense and compromise,” said the president of the company that manages the building, noting the move will pay for itself within three years. “We’re trying to prove: no compromise—and payback.” Former president Bill Clinton, on hand for the official announcement, said the move was smart economically as well as environmentally as building retrofits could create millions of jobs.

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City officials hope the Empire State Building renovation will serve as a model for other old buildings seeking to improve energy efficiency. (©gdbg12)

The Empire State Building is getting a retrofit to slash its energy consumption. (©vige)

The Empire State Building retrofit will save an estimated $4.4 million a year in energy costs. (©Akkku (busy))

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They're showing the rest of the city that existing buildings, no matter how tall they are, no matter how old they are, can take steps to significantly reduce their energy consumption. - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

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Empire State Building Going Green