New York, NY —

Mayor Bloomberg wants to use solar power and cleaner-burning heating oil in municipal buildings.

He said the city will issue a request for proposals for a pilot program to install solar panels on city-owned buildings in hopes of generating 2 megawatts of solar capacity - about the same as taking more than 50 cars a year off the streets. New York won't pay for the installation, but will buy electricity from the provider.

By next summer, city buildings will be using a bio-diesel blend for heating oil. The renewable fuel emits far less soot than standard heating oil.