It was a sad day for NYC greenies last week when we learned that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan bit the dust. It seems the State Legislature pulled the plug on the plan in a secret meeting after it had been approved by the City Council in a 30-20 vote. The plan would have created an $8 “tax” on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th street, reducing inner city congestion and its associated health risks, as well as creating approximately $4.5 billion in the next five years for the overstressed and under-funded NYC public transportation system.

Hope isn’t lost for a greener New York, however, as Bloomberg still aims to make all NYC taxi cabs more fuel efficient (30 miles to the gallon) by the year 2012. The new hybrid taxi fleet is part of Bloomberg’s larger sustainability project for the city called PlanNYC. The change will save New York around 215,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, and the Mayor hopes other major metropolises will be inspired to follow suit.

and learn more about PlanNYC, and how you can get involved in achieving a more sustainable future for New York City in the areas of land, water, transportation and energy.