Rep. Maloney Celebrates a New Green Roof at Regis High School - Regis’ Roof To Be Part of a Federally-Funded Columbia University Study on Green Roofs’ Efficacy at Lowering Energy Costs -
PoliticalNews.me - Oct 10,2010 - New York, NY – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D - Manhattan, Queens) joined Columbia University Professor Stuart Gaffin, Regis High School Principal Philip Judge and Members of the School’s Board of Trustees, alumni, teachers and students to dedicate Regis High School’s much anticipated new green roof. The green roof at Regis is one of approximately ten roofs that will be the subject of Columbia’s Earth Institute with federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The study will determine the effectiveness of green roofs in reducing pollution and conserving energy. At 20,000 square feet, Regis’ green roof is the largest in New York City.
“This green roof is not only a wonderful amenity for Regis’ students and teachers, but also for the entire nation,” Representative Maloney remarked. “The findings of Columbia’s study could make an important contribution to the future development of green roofs throughout the country.” She added, “I am delighted that Regis students will have the opportunity to learn more about the environment while contributing to the nation’s understanding of the efficacy of green roofs in lowering energy costs. Regis students have always been exceptional – and now they have an equally exceptional green roof.”
Background:
The 20,000 square foot green roof includes an on-site biodiversity laboratory, an organic garden, and an astronomy observation area. The five-story Jesuit High School, located at 55 East 84th Street in New York’s 14th Congressional District represented by Congresswoman Maloney, is widely regarded as one of the city’s top schools, and with this innovative new space it is literally taking learning to a new height. The new green roof will be used by teachers to provide students with first-hand knowledge of ecology, conservation, and earth science. With funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Congresswoman Maloney supported, the National Science Foundation awarded Columbia University $476,000 to continue its work on comparing and evaluating the effectiveness of different green roof technologies. Columbia researchers hope the results will lead to improved scientific understanding of green roof performance, optimize its functionality, and provide insight into its potential benefits to human health, economic efficiency and pollution reduction. The Earth Institute at Columbia University has installed monitoring equipment on the roof at Regis High School and will be using the data it collects as part of its sustainability research.
