Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Good morning, Queens. Good morning, Woodside. Happy Earth Day. I want to reflect on the words of the late great Val Kilmer in the not-fully-appreciated-in-its-time 1995 Michael Mann classic “Heat.” When speaking about his love interest Ashley Judd, he said, “For me, the sun rises and sets with her, man.” For too long, the sun has risen and set on New Yorkers living in apartments without reliable heat, or warmth [from] inefficient fossil fuel-guzzling boilers. Today, as we mark the 56th anniversary of Earth Day, we are telling our own very different story of heat, one where we transition thousands of NYCHA apartments from inefficient systems to clean, beautiful heat pumps over the next five years.
This transition lives at the heart of New York City's third ever NYCHA sustainability agenda, which sets our city on a path to tackle the climate crisis at the scale needed. It sets sustainability goals that include everything from thousands of induction stoves in NYCHA apartments to electric vehicle charging stations in NYCHA parking lots to hiring NYCHA residents to fill green jobs. This agenda builds on progress that we have already been achieving here in New York City.
In February of this year, we invested $38.4 million in heat pumps at Beach 41st Street Houses. And we did so in large part because of the success we saw in the investment of heat pumps right here at Woodside Houses. And so that is what this is about: seeing what works in this city and then building on it so that more and more New Yorkers can benefit from it. It was a pleasure to be there with so many of the same people that we stand with today. And we know that our Solar Electric Generating System Tax Abatement also just hit a major milestone for this year: 4,000 people benefiting and $20 million in exemptions.
Reports on Local Law 97, which mandates buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, must meet strict greenhouse gas limits, shows that 93 percent of buildings are filing as they should. Building a cleaner, greener New York City and better serving NYCHA residents are not mutually exclusive goals. We can show the world that meeting climate goals, addressing affordability and connecting New Yorkers to jobs are all part of the same larger fight for dignity. I'm reminded often of Rachel Carson's words in Silent Spring: “[But] man is part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.” [On] this Earth Day, let us recommit to living in peaceful harmony with nature. Thank you and Happy Earth Day. Now with that, I'm going to pass it over to our NYCHA CEO, Lisa Bova-Hiatt.
Lisa Bova-Hiatt, CEO, NYCHA: Happy Earth Day, everyone, and welcome to Woodside Houses. I'd like to thank Resident Association President Tammy Reyes and the entire Woodside community, including our hard-working property management staff, for hosting us today. Yay. I also have to give a shout out to our incredible sustainability team, because we wouldn't be here today without them as well. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani and his administration for supporting the Authority’s incredibly important work to improve NYCHA residents' quality of life while also making positive impacts for our entire city.
And thank you to our other elected officials, Donovan Richards, for standing with us today. Earth Week is a vital opportunity to consider the ways we can work together to make a difference in our world. But I'm proud to say that sustainability is something that's happening every day at the [Housing] Authority. Making our city a better and more sustainable place to live for today and for tomorrow is at the heart of our mission. As outlined in the 2026 sustainability agenda that we're unveiling, sustainability is deeply rooted in NYCHA's work, particularly rehabilitating and modernizing our properties and improving how we manage and operate them.
The ultimate goal of healthier buildings is healthier residents, healthier communities, a healthier city, and, of course, a healthier planet. And the only true path of getting there is through sustainability. So here we are today at Woodside Houses, one of the developments where we're installing innovative and highly energy-efficient heat pumps. Ten years after NYCHA's first outline, our sustainability goals and strategies. In our latest sustainability agenda, titled Innovating at Scale, we describe our work to harness new technologies to make our buildings more comfortable and healthier for residents; safer in major storms and other climate hazards; [and] more efficient and easier to operate.
We're transitioning away from fossil fuels. And at the same time, we're generating savings that can be reinvested in building upgrades and maintenance. The impact for our residents is real. This work will bring, for instance, efficient electric heat pumps for heating and cooling, which residents can control [in] 20,000 apartments, including the window-mounted heat pumps resulting from NYCHA's Clean Heat for All challenge.
Highly efficient lighting and water fixtures at 45,000 apartments. Cutting-edge induction stoves that will replace gas stoves at 10,000 apartments, improving air quality. Modernized waste infrastructure at 144 properties. One hundred and fifty public electric vehicle charging stations in NYCHA parking lots and 30 megawatts of solar energy via rooftop panels. All the while, we are engaging residents as part of our sustainability agenda, not only to get their input for this interesting and powerful work, but also to train them for green-collar careers and to hire them for our sustainability projects.
All told, our sustainability efforts will create economic opportunities for 1,300 residents. This work is truly beneficial in more ways than one and in ways that will reverberate for decades and for generations to come. Thank you again, everyone, for your vision and support as we continue blazing a trail and as we strengthen our buildings and communities in service to New York City and a healthier world for all. Thank you. Next, I'd like to introduce our chief climate officer, Louise Yeung.
Louise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer, Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice: Good morning, and Happy Earth Day. And thank you so much for having us here at Woodside Houses. I want to have a special thank you to Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Julie Won, DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani and Woodside Houses TA President Tammy Reyes. And thank you to our partners at NYSERDA and the New York Power Authority and representatives of the Citywide Council of Presidents. I am Louise Yeung, the chief climate officer and the head of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and I'm really excited to celebrate this administration's first Earth Day here with you all.
We spend 90 percent of our time inside buildings. They are the offices where many of us go to work every day. They are the schools where we learn, and above all, they are the places where we build homes with our loved ones. We also know that buildings contribute 70 percent of the city's greenhouse gas emissions. Climate solutions like heat pumps, rooftop solar and energy-efficient upgrades can help us lower our emissions and lower our energy bills. For far too long, NYCHA residents have been the last to receive investments in their buildings, and standing here at Woodside Houses, where the city launched its Clean Heat for All challenge, is not just symbolic; it's an important moment to reaffirm the city's commitment to putting NYCHA at the forefront of climate innovation.
NYCHA's plan to transition 20,000 buildings to clean heating and cooling, install gas-free induction stoves and install electric vehicle charging won't just tackle emissions; it'll make our apartments healthier and more comfortable for NYCHA residents. And we need more buildings to follow in NYCHA's footsteps. That's why last week our office launched the NYC Accelerator, a new free service that supports co-ops, condos, property managers and building owners to plan, pay for and complete sustainability projects. The NYC Accelerator is a one-stop shop to help buildings meet their Local Law 97 emissions targets, scope projects, engage vetted and qualified contractors to carry out the work, and identify every rebate and incentive that you are eligible for so you can make these improvements without breaking the bank.
In talking to people across the five boroughs about the NYC Accelerator, it's clear that New Yorkers are excited to make improvements to green their buildings but just want a little bit of technical and financial support to get across the finish line. Through our work, we are on pace to double the number of solar tax abatement benefits that are vital to making clean energy projects more affordable for all buildings across New York City. And of course, there's a lot more work to be done. As the mayor has reminded us throughout the last 100 days, we are committed to making sure that our city services help New Yorkers tackle problems big and small. Tackling the climate crisis is no small feat, and initiatives like these today show all of the ways we are building a greener and healthier New York City today and for generations to come. Thank you.
Bova-Hiatt: Next, I'm happy to introduce a man who needs no introduction, the borough president of Queens, Donovan Richards.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards: Thank you, Lisa. Let's give her a warm happy birthday on Earth Day. And good morning, Woodside Houses. How we doing? It's a little cold, but it's warm inside. I want to start by thanking our mayor for not forgetting his roots, for coming back home to Queens and for being an outstanding Mets fan as well. It is great to be here this morning on Earth Day. You know, one of the biggest lessons to learn in this business is not to forget where you come from. And it's clear today you haven't missed Mr. Mayor. So, thank you for choosing the Woodside Houses and for the work you're doing here to support our families right here at Woodside Houses.
And I can say from experience being elected as the borough president for all six years that this was a great winter for Woodside Houses, that there was less heat complaints than I've ever encountered. And I know Council Member Won can attest to that as well. But the challenge is we shouldn't be here. You know, for generations, public housing families across the city have been forgotten and neglected. And for generations, the City of New York itself has been the worst landlord in the five boroughs. And for generations, young people growing up in public housing have been conditioned by their upbringing that they do not matter. But those days are over, as we can see today.
And during our tenure working with TA presidents like TA President Reyes and NYCHA, we've been working collectively with our tenant association to address many of their complaints and to ensure that their housing is more sustainable. And I have to once again just thank the CEO of NYCHA. Thank you for your partnership and always for showing up, Lisa. I didn't see Brian Honan. I know we know Brian Honan's number on a first-number basis. I also just want to thank you for this investment in heat pumps, efficient lighting, new stalls, new water fixtures and more, which will make a world of a difference for the families in this development and beyond who have well deserved it.
Regardless of whether it's a cold snap or a heat wave, you should be comfortable in your home. You should never see your breath in your living room or have to wipe sweat off your face when you wake up during the summer months. You should never have to turn your oven on to keep your apartment warm, which is also a public safety issue.
But these new heating and cooling systems means families who have them won't have to do that again. This is also a direct investment in the sustainability of our borough and a direct investment in the people of our borough. As the former chair of the Environmental Protection Committee of the City Council, this is the work we've been steeped in my entire career. As the mayor alluded to, the green roof spell, which ensures that even as we see development — I love when developers, and I see Laura here — I love when developers come to me and say, miraculously, we put solar on the roof. We put a white roof on or a wind turbine. And we just remind them, Mr. Mayor, that it is the law.
So, when we talk about sustainability of our NYCHA developments, we need to be on the forefront of these battles. And I also will say on this Earth Day that it is impossible to address the issue around climate change without investing and ensuring that we solve the issues around inequality. They go hand in hand. So, on this day, I thank Mr. Mamdani, Mayor Mamdani, for meeting this moment. I thank him and his staff for understanding that NYCHA families are just as deserving of fairness as families living in any part of New York City, and this work will continue. Thank you all.
Bova-Hiatt: Thank you, borough president. Next, I'd like to introduce the incredible TA President, Tammy Reyes.
Tammy Reyes, Tenants Association President, NYCHA: Thank you very much, everyone. Like everyone else, we want to thank everyone for coming out. We want to thank everyone that's up here, Julie Won, Donovan Richards, Mayor Mamdani, thank you for coming to our site. Of course, Lisa, Louise, and Ahmed.
[Crosstalk.]
We are the pilot for the heat unit, and the heat unit is amazing. We have two and a half buildings that already have it in store. We have it in our office, and when I tell you, it works wonderfully. Okay, and I am excited for every apartment in here to receive these heat units because now you're going to be having two for one — let me shut up — you will be having air conditioning heat unit, okay, and everyone will be pleased. We're going to get new windows. So, we are coming up. Woodside is just going to get better and better, and with the help of everyone here and the cooperation of the residents letting us in to get the job done, it will be completed on time. What I do want to say is I thank everyone who is a part of this team for installing. It's a big job — and I definitely went off key, but it's okay — because we're talking about the same thing, okay. At the end, we can also go in, we'll see it.
For those who do not have this heat unit yet, a lot of y'all came to the office when we do our pantry. A lot of y'all come to the office when we have meetings, and when you come in, one thing you can say is in the summer, you're nice and cool. In the winter, you're nice and warm, and that's thanks to the heat unit, okay? So, on that note, I want to pass it over because I'm stuck for words right now, and I'm in front of a lot of people — excuse me? Everyone is welcome at the pantry so long as they act accordingly, because when we don't act accordingly, we make a hazardous situation for everyone else. So, if I have to bar you, I'm sorry, I have to bar you. But it's all about the way you conduct yourself. That answers your question, Mary? I'll see you as long as you behave. Thank you very much.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I've been clear on where I stand on the CLCPA, where I stand on fossil fuel infrastructure. And what I think is necessary is that we respond to the climate crisis, frankly, with the urgency that's required. And too often we separate issues of quality of life from the climate crisis when we know that oftentimes they're actually one and the same. When we're talking about the benefit of heat pumps, it's a benefit that so many NYCHA residents are feeling across the many different concerns that they have, alongside the fact that it's ensuring that we're actually tackling the generation of particulates that otherwise would be the case at developments across the city. So, today is, in many ways, a fulfillment of that vision and laying it out. And I've shared the thoughts prior to that.
Question: It's not related, but you have a situation where a City Councilman Chi Ossé, was arrested while defending a constituent from eviction. This is a result of deed theft and ongoing displacement of her home. I wonder what your reaction is to the fact that he was arrested while defending a constituent.
Mayor Mamdani: I think first is to say that the Council Member is rightly passionate about tackling the scourge of deed theft, and he has been someone who has been leading. It's been a pleasure to be working with him alongside the creation of efforts that our administration will be delivering on to combat that same scourge. And I'll follow up on the details of this arrest.
Question: [Inaudible.] Is there anything you can do to help him?
Mayor Mamdani: We'll follow up on the details of this. Thank you.
Question: Have you seen the video?
Mayor Mamdani: No, I haven’t seen the video.
Question: You can see that he's, you know, the police are sort of — I don't know if they think he was, I don't know what the situation was, but he ends up on the floor. He's like face down on the floor getting handcuffed. You know, are you able to comment on?
Mayor Mamdani: I mean, that's incredibly concerning to hear. And that's exactly something that we're going to follow up on, not just on the nature of this arrest, but also what was the underlying issue that was being protested. I know he's been on the front lines of fighting deed theft. It's especially prevalent in his Council district. And I appreciate, frankly, the efforts that he's led in the past on ensuring that this is front of mind for all of us.
Question: Two questions. The first is, I know you've talked about the pied-à-terre tax — that word always trips me up. Do you know the assessed value of Ken Griffin's home? I know that's been a concern. It's the assessed versus the — I know you made a point of going in front of his house. So, do you know the assessed value and if he would qualify under that? And then I have a second question.
Mayor Mamdani: So, this is part of the conversations that are being had about how to administer this tax. We are confident that the tax would raise about half a billion dollars on an annual basis. And part of the conversation around the administering of it is also to tackle the longstanding chasm between stated values and assessed values.
Question: But you don't know the assessed value?
Mayor Mamdani: Not offhand, I can’t tell you the assessed value of that individual home.
Question: So, my second question is about the 15-year-old Jaden Pierre who was shot and killed in Roy Wilkins Park. I know there's been a person of interest identified, but there was some criticism from the community. You hadn't spoken about it. I don't know if you've reached out to anyone in the community or his family after he was killed and if you have any concerns, or I don't know if that was the department — if your new [Office] of [Community] Safety would address particularly teen violence or whatever the circumstances of his murder.
Mayor Mamdani: So, I shared my thoughts on this the other evening where I spoke about the fact that this was heartbreaking. And it was heartbreaking not just for what it means for his family and his friends. I know it was also heartbreaking for so many New Yorkers to watch this video and see others simply witness what unfolded as opposed to step up to address it. And that is also our responsibility as a City government. I know that I have full confidence in the NYPD's abilities to hold the individual responsible accountable. We're also setting up a time to meet with the family.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Mamdani: I don't have the exact time as yet, but that's a conversation that's been ongoing. And I'll just say one other thing is this has been devastating as well for the larger school community of which Jaden was a part of. And I know that our New York City public school system has been providing grief counselors at the school for not just students, but also for teachers and for staff.
Question: Hello, there is an ongoing hunger strike outside City Hall over the 24-hour home care shift ban bill led by workers you previously supported as an Assembly member. The bill now appears to be stalled in the Council. Have you spoken with the speaker or the governor about it? And is there a version of the legislation you would support? How do you see this being resolved?
Mayor Mamdani: I think ultimately, it's a decision for the Council to make which legislation they bring forward for a vote and then how they vote on that legislation. I've been clear, however, that I'm someone who has long been supportive of the struggle of home care workers, many of whom are disproportionately immigrant women, and that it is important that we recognize the work that they do and also ensure that it is possible for them to continue to do it.
Question: So, I have a question. I know the Council has requested or asked you to consider a ticker-tape parade for the astronauts. Is that something that you're thinking about or planning? And number two is, are you thinking about any rallies for the Knicks and or the Mets? Have public rallies or get people to support them? Maybe that changes things, I don't know.
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I will say at this time, I think my focus is on keeping the faith for when it comes to the Mets and also keeping my fingers crossed when it comes to the Knicks. I have confidence in the team. I think it's a little premature to talk about a rally at this time. When it comes to the Artemis 2 ticker-tape parade, that is something that we've brought back to the team and are looking into the logistics of what that would require. We'll be sure to keep people updated as we have an answer to it.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Mamdani: I think typically ticker-tape parades have been funded by the organization or the entity that's being celebrated. That's part of what we're looking into right now.
Question: Can I ask some on-topic questions? I have a few for the heat pumps. What NYCHA campuses will get these first rollout of heat pumps and when will the construction start and end?
Mayor Mamdani: So, those are decisions that will be made and those are the conversations that we will leave to NYCHA. What I will say is that we've seen here at Woodside Houses, the transformative impact of these heat pumps, not only in terms of carbon emissions, but also just quality of life and even cost, frankly. And it was to such an effect that I remember, I think it was The City that wrote an article about the impact that it had here at Woodside Houses. I at the time was an Assembly member representing Astoria and Long Island City and actually came here for a visit just to see them myself. And so, we've already made the decision that we will be delivering this in the Rockaways at that announcement that I alluded to earlier. In terms of where else, that will be part of a larger conversation. And they'll also follow up on the exact timings of that construction.
Question: Do you know the cost of the initial, how much funding this initial rollout will be and who's funding it?
Mayor Mamdani: So, the Rockaways, I think, is about $38 million or so that we've announced that is within our own capital budget. We also announced the preliminary budget that we put forward on February 17, a significant increase in the amount of money we're setting aside for preservation of NYCHA that is city funded. This is a vision that that we're laying out today, that there are things that are funded by the city. There are also things that we are hopeful of securing funding from elsewhere.
Question: On the World Cup, are you concerned about the $150 fare to and from MetLife?
[Crosstalk.]
Question: On the World Cup, are you concerned about the $150 fare to and from MetLife Stadium, especially now, given that places like Philadelphia have announced free transit?
Mayor Mamdani: Look, I think I've long been clear that I am concerned about the ways in which this World Cup is pricing out so many working-class supporters of the game. Soccer, as a game, is born out of the working class. And when you're looking at the ticket prices to attend the game, you're looking at the cost of getting to the game. It is something that is out of reach for many. And I also understand where, you know, the decision that New Jersey Transit has made, the decision coming from New Jersey elected officials. They are also reckoning with the fact that a lot of the cost has been placed upon them. And all of this while FIFA is anticipated to have about $11 billion dollars in revenue over the course of this tournament. So, I am continuing to be hopeful of ways that we can make this a more affordable experience for everyone. And we're going to look to show that New York City will be exactly that.
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