The MTA renewed its commitment to a host of environmentally friendly initiatives this past Earth Day.

Each year, the MTA says it effectively prevents 19 million metric tons of greenhouse gases while emitting only 2 million metric tons through its operatons.

The MTA says it is pushing to reduce emissions even further.

“Earth Day serves as an important reminder of just how powerful a role the MTA plays in reducing congestion and making the New York City metropolitan region more livable,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. “Everyone within the MTA’s geographic footprint benefits from the critical service we provide because our operations allow everyone in the region to lead more carbon-efficient lives. In these times of crisis it can be secondary to think about our long term environmental future, but a sustainable region depends on a robust MTA.”

In December, the MTA rolled out 10 new electric buses and additional buses are expected to hit streets in the coming months. MTA officials have a plan to have an all-electric fleet by 2040.

The MTA says in addition to reducing its carbon footprint, it has also continued large scale resiliency efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. This includes repairs and improvements on all but one of the tunnels damaged by the storm will be done shortly.

The MTA also announced its continuing implementation of regenerative braking pilot in the subway system that involves testing a Wayside Energy Management System that has the capability to store heat energy from braking and use it during peak consumption hours when the electricity from the grid is most expensive and demand on the Con Edison distribution system is at its highest.

Regenerative braking energy is the energy generated by special equipment aboard a train which transforms the kinetic energy from the train braking into electric power. Installation is planned for the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the MTA.