August 10, 2026 - The UpgradeNY collaboration made the following statement in response to the announced thermal energy network study planned for the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall 4/5/6 station and the Chambers Street J/Z complex: 

“New York is showing what the future of heating and cooling can look like. Through studying how excess heat from some of the city’s hottest subway platforms can be captured and reused to heat nearby buildings through a thermal energy network, Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and the MTA are turning an everyday problem into a clean-energy solution.

Thermal energy networks can help New York use less energy, save money, and build more resilient communities while creating union jobs. This project will deliver a powerful national example of how existing infrastructure can be reimagined to deliver multiple benefits at once. The UpgradeNY Collaboration applauds this effort and looks forward to seeing New York continue to lead on thermal energy networks.”

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About UpgradeNY

The UpgradeNY collaboration works together to advocate for affordable solutions to decarbonize New York’s buildings while creating a strong foundation for good-paying union jobs. Members include Building Decarbonization Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York State AFL-CIO, ALIGN, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter, Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) and Climate Jobs NY. Learn more at upgradeny.org