Image: AP/New York Magazine

New York state's first lady, Silda Wall Spitzer, announced green improvements for the governor's mansion in Albany. The renovations, to be implemented in three phases set for completion by June 2008, will cost around $650,000, two-thirds of which will be paid for with grants and offset by state incentives. The modifications are expected to save 50% in energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the mansion by half.

Phase 1: energy efficient appliances, low-flow shower heads and CFLs will be installed, gas powered lawn mowers will be swapped out with their electric counterparts, and mansion staff will start cruising around in hybrids.

Phase 2: three sets of solar panels will be installed.

Phase 3: mansion staff change over to non-toxic cleaning supplies and organic pest control, plus they'll recycle, compost and purchase organic foods.

I don't quite understand why phase 3 is phase 3 (I'd put non-toxics, recycling and organics before electric mowers and hybrids) and with the exception of the solar panels the overall improvements don't go above and beyond. However, they do illlustrate the simple things everyone can do to make their homes green.

This is one of three residences for the Spitzers, so they'll need a little more than a few solar panels to reduce the overall family footprint, but the announcement of these upgrades does send a message to the state that the guv's agenda has a green hue.

Via The New York Times; New York Magazine