Trump's buildings don’t meet New York's new environmental regulations. The Trump Organization might have to pay a heavy price.
President Trump has long mocked the idea of climate change, but his refusal to take it seriously might cost him.
Eight of the Trump Organization's largest properties — including the renowned Trump International Hotel & Tower — in New York do not comply with the city's new greenhouse gas emissions-slashing regulations, The Guardian reports. That means the company would have to pay $2.1 million in fines every year from 2030, unless it revamps the buildings to make them more environmentally friendly.
New York passed new climate legislation in April, requiring all businesses larger than 25,000 feet to cut emissions by 40 percent or face annual fines. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio hasn't signed the bill yet, though he plans to. Trump's buildings are far from the only culprits in the city, but they are certainly the most attention-grabbing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
De Blasio even hosted a rally on Monday inside of Trump Tower to directly challenge the president. Trump's supporters crashed the party.
"President Trump, you're on notice," de Blasio said. "Your polluting buildings are part of the problem. Cut your emissions or pay the price."
The Trump Organization does have time to get in line with the new rules, but it'll reportedly take quite a bit of work, including improving insulation, upgrading window glass, and replacing boilers.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Why is Tesla stumbling?
In the Spotlight More competition, confusion about the future and a giant pay package for Elon Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How Taylor Swift changed copyright negotiations in music
under the radar The success of Taylor's Version rerecordings has put new pressure on record labels
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Job scams are increasingly common. Here's what to look out for.
The Explainer You should never pay for an application or give out your personal info before being hired
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants
Speed Read The new rule aims to reduce cancer-causing air pollution in areas like Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Strong Taiwan earthquake kills 9, injures hundreds
Speed Read At magnitude 7.4, this was Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
EPA sets auto pollution rule that boosts EVs
Speed Read The Biden administration's new rules will push US automakers toward electric vehicles and hybrids
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
More than 150 people dead following earthquake in Nepal
Speed Read The death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers continue digging through rubble
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nearly 1,000 birds dead in one night after striking building in Chicago
Speed Read The birds died after colliding with the McCormick Place convention center next to Lake Michigan
By Justin Klawans Published
-
At least 1 dead at Burning Man as thousands remain stranded from flooding
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Earthquake rattles Southern California as Tropical Storm Hilary hits
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published