For years, under the strong leadership of Speakers Peter Vallone Sr., Gifford Miller, and now, Christine Quinn, the City Council and I have made progressive energy policies- those that promote reliable, "green", and affordable energy in New York City- central to our agenda. In doing so, we have had many successes, particularly with respect to the city government's own energy consumption- which amounts to an astonishing 10 percent of all the energy used in the city. We have also worked closely with the administration on these issues, particularly with the city Economic Development Corporation's outstanding Senior Vice President for Energy, Gil Quiniones.

This past January, the council adopted a bill I authored that will promote clean, onsite generation by requiring the city to assess the use of this type of technology in its highest energy-consuming buildings. Not only does clean, onsite, or "distributed" generation combat air pollution by displacing dirty power plants, it is also a key strategy for improving the reliability of the distribution of power in the city by reducing the amount of electricity flowing through the grid. The council also recently adopted another measure I authored that will slash the city's power use- and save taxpayers money- by substantially strengthening requirements that the city purchase only the most energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, lighting, copiers and computers.

In addition, in September 2005, the council adopted landmark "green building" legislation, which I co-sponsored. Nationally, buildings account for 65 percent of electricity consumption and 30 percent of global warming pollution emissions. Our cuttingedge green building law will ensure that over $12 billion in future building city construction, including $5 billion in new schools, incorporates state-of-the-art "high performance" design features. This law will not only achieve dramatic energy savings, but it will also make our schools and offices healthier, and create high-quality jobs for trade workers.

Through these council-initiated laws, and many others, we have made major contributions to enhancing the reliability, "greenness" and affordability of the energy used by New Yorkers. More work, however, still needs to be done. Therefore, the council will build on its successful legacy and continue to help lead the city on energy policy matters. In particular, the agenda of the council Committee on Environmental Protection, which I chair, will maintain its agenda focus on reducing energy demand, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting clean, renewable, onsite power and other critical energy policy challenges facing the city through oversight hearings and advancing necessary legislative solutions.

In a related development, Speaker Quinn and I recently began a partnership with the Bloomberg administration on an initiative to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable New York City over the next 25 years. This "PlaNYC 2030" initiative, ably spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability Director "Rit" Aggarwala, has many important goals--but none more so than those related to reducing air pollution (including global warming pollution) associated with power generation and use, and updating the city's aging energy infrastructure. I believe that PlaNYC 2030 holds great promise for crafting effective strategies for addressing these issues, and I will work closely with the administration in the coming months to coordinate this plan with our "reliable, clean, and affordable" energy agenda.

City Councilmember James F. Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows), represents the 24th City Council District. Besides serving as chair of the Environmental Protection Committee, Finance, Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug & Disability Services, Public Safety, Sanitation & Solid Waste Management and Youth Services committees.