Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2008 - (Page 17)

A: Several of our organizations had a pre-existing relationship with Assemblyman Diaz, Jr., who has consistently championed for community improvements as an elective official whose district is in the South Bronx. Because swim has a significant Bronx membership, in addition to citywide support, the green roof bill was something that he was willing and able to support. Q: Having worked to get this legislation passed, gram trains 20 predominantly low-income individuals per session; 85 per cent of graduates are presently employed or in college. The success of best has helped launch a national green-collar job movement. best graduates will be employed on green roof projects in New York City, including through SmartRoofs, llc, ssbx’s green roof installation program. Q: Do you believe this state green roof legisla- do you have any advice for individuals and organizations working toward the same goals in other states and provinces as to what works, what doesn’t? A: It is really a matter of process and substance. In terms of process, it is important for a group to have an identity – maybe it’s over a specific goal, such as working for a green roof incentive, or maybe incorporates a more broad vision, such as working towards swimmable and fishable waterways. This will help in terms of prioritization and also in setting goals and roles within a group. In terms of substance, it’s necessary to create implemental tasks for policymakers. That means being able to educate decision-makers on the environmental and economic benefits of green roofs, where funding could come from, and offering partnership along the way. Q: What impact is this state legislation expected tion could be a model for other jurisdictions? A: Yes – many municipalities throughout the United States are investing substantially in stormwater infrastructure. This tax abatement is a replicable mechanism for incentivizing green roofs to reduce the need for this infrastructure. Q: Now that the legislation has passed, where is your organization focused now? A: We are focused on the implementation of the green roof tax abatement to advocate that the application form is easy to attain. In addition, a draft of the Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan will be released by this Fall for public comment, and so we will look forward to providing comment on this Plan. Q: It’s early but do you have a sense of the to have in terms of the installation of green roofs? A: This should have a tremendous impact on green roof tax installations. Since the nyc green roof tax abatement passed, I and other coalition members have received many calls and spoken in front of hundreds of people about the tax abatement and there is significant interest from home owners, developers, environmental organizations and the green roof industry. Q: Are there any other expected positive ripple number of decisions, if any, being made to install green roofs because of the legislation? A: Developers and building owners have expressed tremendous interest throughout New York City – and so it is reasonable to anticipate that a substantial increase in green roof installations will occur next year. Q: Did the coalition ever consider including effects anticipated thanks to the legislation? A boost in green-collar jobs, for instance? A: This state-level tax abatement will result in the creation of green-collar jobs. At Sustainable South Bronx we run a job training program that creates pathways out of poverty, in which we train participants in green roof installation and maintenance. Launched to link both environmental justice and social justice, the program offers participants the opportunity to gain skills and certifications in ecological restoration, hazardous waste cleanup, landscaping and green roof installation and maintenance. Consisting of three 10-week sessions per year, the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (best) pro- green walls in the plan? If not, could perhaps we see another piece of legislation offering tax incentive credits for green wall projects? A: Green walls were beyond the scope of this piece of legislation. However, green walls technology should be evaluated through the city’s Sustainable Stormwater Management Plan. We are interested in working with the City to see that policies encourage the construction of green walls in New York City. Several swim members are installing green walls, and so we are looking forward to this process. Caroline Nolan is the editor of Living Architecture Monitor Magazine. If you would like to suggest an extraordinary individual for a future On the Roof interview, please send an email to editor@greenroofs.org. D http://www.zinco-usa.com http://www.zinco-usa.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2008

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2008 Contents From the Founder: A Robust Economy Letters Strata - People, Products & Projects: Austin's Hotspot for Habitat & Baltimore Hilton Goes Green A Green Roof for a County Courthouse Research Grant for Design Tool On the Roof With... A New Vue on Downtown Open Space Sound Transmission Loss of Extensive Green Roofs On Target Optimizing for Sustainability First GRHC Green Roof Symposium in Florida Welcome New Corporate Members Professional Calendar Experts Reflect on the Value of the GRP

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.