Gov. Paterson Unveils Green MetroCards for Earth Day

The MTA will observe Earth Day (April 22nd) by stocking MetroCard vending machines with five million limited-edition green MetroCards. The cards aren’t “green” in the eco-friendly sense – they’re still not made from recycled material – they’re just, you know, green colored. So they’ve got that going for them. Oh, and some environmental factoids will be printed on the back.

Governor David Paterson joined MTA officials at Grand Central Terminal yesterday morning for a press conference announcing the festive new MetroCards, as well as some renewable energy initiatives that will go into effect over the next few years.

The MTA has committed to draw 7 percent of its energy needs from solar, wind, and other renewable sources by 2015.
A substantial portion of the Roosevelt Island Subway Station will be powered by renewable tidal energy generated in the East River by Verdant Power.
6 megawatts of solar power will be developed at MTA facilities to create the largest solar power project in New York history.
The MTA will examine the feasibility of providing 14% of the power at the MTA Bus Company Far Rockaway Depot from wind turbines.
The MTA is planning high-performance roofs at many facilities, including vegetated green roofs.
NYC Transit will evaluate ways to utilize water harvested from the subway system for various beneficial uses, such as cooling of some transformers.

It’s a baby step in the right direction, but compared to the ambitious goals of Bloomberg’s foundered congestion pricing plan, one can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed. (Hizzoner was conspicuously absent from yesterday’s event.) Still, the promise of "utilizing water" in the subway is exciting – could a hybrid L flume line be on the horizon?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on April 15, 2008 2:12 PM

Comments [rss]

the inspector

interesting, something old (the token) being more ecological than something new (the disposable metrocard). What a twist!

REALITY CHECK

Ironically, plastic MetroCards make up a significant chunk of subway litter. The token didn't have that problem.

blablanyc

The were suppose to be St. Patrick's Day but they arrived too late. Oh, well.

babyhitler

This just in. If you use words like "GREEN" or "EARTH" or "eco-friendly" you get to pat yourselves on the back and feel good about yourself that you did something good even though you didn't. The only thing green in this world is Brown. It's shit. We aren't cultivating enough fertilizer and nitrogen. We need to make farm barges in the river.

jennesy212

Maybe the MTA will let us start refilling our unlimited cards at the end of the month instead of just throwing them away.

I wonder how much more it cost to print the new "green" Metro Cards...

thegingi

Has anyone noticed the garbage cans in the subway with the "green" decal on them? It's suddenly "green" to throw trash away?

Is everything "green" these days?

What would be greener would be if I could recycle my newspaper when I get off the train. Would it be that hard for them to provide bins, at least at the major Manhattan stations?

RooseveltIsland360

My goal is that the tidal power not be tied to the elevators. Granted like the Gristedes they would have a cut over to the main power grid in case the tidal energy flow drops but can you imagine that not working for the elevators? Lights, escalators fine. And yes I don't see this improving the escalators.

You can be sure the local bloggers, including me, will be watching.

http://rooseveltisland360.blogspot.com/search?q=tidal+energy+subway

TKaisen

if anything the commuter railroads should come down in price. Another thing is take away the peak/off peak fare structure on the LIRR and Metro North.

You take your logic and reason elsewhere, sir. We'll have none of that here.

navinjohnson

#2- how does a lower fare encourage people to drive???

donner

I work on Roosevelt Island. And I doubt those escalators will EVER work. But I love stiff-arming the competition for the elevator in the morning- it kind of makes my day.

brooklynbee

Wow, way to make a token gesture that doesn't do anything.

Steven

if anything the commuter railroads should come down in price. Another thing is take away the peak/off peak fare structure on the LIRR and Metro North.

jsri

I live on Roosevelt Island. Maybe this new power source will keep the escalators running, that would be a big change.

AndrewODonnell

Wow...that's creative...green font; who the hell designs these cards? Looks like it was made in MS PowerPoint...heh.

jenchungsgrammar

How does he know they're green?

Kelsey Grammer Police

5 Million doesn't sound so limited edition to me....way to waste the money MTA & Albany.

Reality Czech

Limited edition huh? So a used green Metrocard will be a collectable? I'm stocking up!

Atomische

Yet another series of pointless gestures.

Why don't they lower the fare, encourage more people to ride than drive? Seems like a no-brainer -- even for politicians with very tiny brains.