The mayor of New York announced plans to spend $2.3 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions in municipal buildings and operations over the next 30 years.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city is aiming to cut 1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents a year from 2006 levels by 2017, lowering emissions by 30 percent in 30 years.

"We can achieve these results by using cost-effective existing technologies," said Bloomberg.

"The city is doing its part, I hope the private sector follows our example and finds conservation savings of their own."

The plan includes making city buildings more efficient, improving preventative maintenance, and capturing energy potential at wastewater treatment plants.

The mayor's office said city government accounts for approximately 6.5 percent of the city's total energy use and 10 percent of its peak electricity demand.

The largest single opportunity for reductions, 57 percent of the total, is through upgrades to existing buildings, like firehouses, police precincts, sanitation garages, offices, and courthouses, according to the mayor.

Energy-saving projects at wastewater treatment plants account for the second largest opportunity for greenhouse gas reductions, 17 percent of the total.

Planned wastewater treatment projects include fixing methane gas leaks, using recaptured methane to power electric generation equipment, and making general efficiency improvements to other specialized equipment.

The mayor's office said further reductions will be achieved through accelerating the purchase of more energy efficient vehicles, replacing street lighting fixtures with energy efficient models, and expanding on-site electricity generation at city facilities.