Green roofs get tax cuts

Homeowners who have “green roofs” — gardens on top of their buildings — will now receive tax breaks. The bill, which was approved by the state last Monday, will give homeowners credit of $4.50 per square foot of green roofing they own. Rooftop gardens cost an average of $15 to $20 dollars per square foot, but buildings often save 10 to 20 percent on air conditioning costs by having them. “It’s long overdue,” said Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr., who sponsored the bill. “This is a great step forward to ultimately combat our greatest problem — global warming.”