New York City Councilman Costa Constantinides introduced a bill late last week that would increase the amount of biofuel required in residential and commercial heating oil to 5% by 2016, up from the current city requirement of 2% biofuel.
Bill 0642, if passed, would then raise the threshold to 10% by 2020, 15% by 2025 and 20% by 2030, as reported by the New York Daily News, applicable city-wide to all buildings heated by liquid petroleum.
“As we move closer toward our citywide commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050, we must take advantage of all opportunities to get us there,” said Constantinides. “Increasing biofuel in home heating oil will make our city more sustainable and healthier.”
The bill is just one battle in the larger biofuel war currently being waged between New York City politicians. Last month, Constantinides and other council members clashed with city officials over raising the biofuel requirements for vehicles in the city’s maritime fleet, including the Staten Island Ferry.
Since his January 2014 inauguration to represent the city’s 22nd district, which is comprised primarily of Astoria and sections of Long Island City, Constantinides has been vocal about his desire to increase the city’s environmental sustainability by advocating for the use of solar panels, biofuels and other forms of alternative energy.
Co-sponsors of the bill include Maria del Carmon Arroyo and Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx); Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan); Peter Koo and Rubin Wills (D-Queens); and Deborah Rose (D-Staten Island).
The City Council will convene again on Thursday, February 26.
