MTA going green

NEW YORK "Thanks largely to our robust transportation network, the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of New Yorkers are a quarter of the national average," Gov. David Paterson said. "By capitalizing on the MTA's network, we can further improve our energy efficiency and carbon footprints."

Paterson joined Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials at Grand Central Terminal to announce the sustainability initiatives, which also include mapping groundwater sources in subway tunnels and using the water in cooling systems.

"Public transportation can play an important role as society works to achieve greater energy efficiency and smaller environmental impacts, and these far-reaching recommendations show how we in transportation can do even more," said MTA Executive Director Elliot Sander.

MTA officials set a goal of deriving 7 percent of the authority's energy from solar power, wind and other renewable resources by 2015.

The authority also will work with state agencies to offer incentives to encourage development near MTA stations, which will take more cars off the road.

The initiatives came from interim recommendations generated by a Commission on Sustainability set up by the MTA in September.