By Matthew Wells
BBC News, New York, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will now be eco-friendly
New York City has begun an ambitious project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

The first symbolic change has already occurred in the lights on the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree - it now has energy-saving bulbs.

The lights on the Brooklyn Bridge will also be replaced next year with low-energy bulbs, costing $500,000.

Since they last three-times longer than conventional bulbs, the city is expected to make long-term savings.

New York is going “green” - that is the headline billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to see going into the New Year, as he starts to tackle the huge energy costs of a city that accounts for a whole 1% of America’s carbon emissions.

New hybrid police and fire vehicles will also be phased in, along with hybrid garbage trucks, subject to a trial period.

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