Understanding Local Law 97: The Key to Achieving New York City’s Climate Goals

Local Law 97, also known as the Climate Mobilization Act, is a groundbreaking legislation passed by the New York City Council in 2019. It is a critical component of the city’s ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The law requires owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce their carbon emissions or face significant penalties. In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of Local Law 97 and how building owners can comply with its requirements.

Understanding Local Law 97:

What is Local Law 97 and why was it passed?

The law requires owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce their carbon emissions or face significant penalties. This includes both commercial and residential buildings, as well as co-ops and condos. The carbon emission limits are based on the building’s occupancy class, which is determined by its use, such as residential, office, or hotel.

Local Law 97 was passed to address the significant contribution of buildings to greenhouse gas emissions in New York City. Buildings account for nearly 70% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing those emissions is critical to achieving the city’s climate goals. The law is part of a larger effort by the city to reduce its carbon footprint and create a more sustainable and resilient future for New Yorkers.

How does Local Law 97 fit into New York City’s climate goals?

Local Law 97, also known as the Climate Mobilization Act, is a key component of New York City’s ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The law requires owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet to reduce their carbon emissions or face significant penalties.

Buildings are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City, accounting for nearly 70% of the city’s total emissions. By setting carbon emission limits for buildings and requiring building owners to reduce their emissions, Local Law 97 aims to significantly reduce the city’s carbon footprint and help achieve its climate goals.

Local Law 97 is part of a larger effort by the city to reduce its carbon footprint and create a more sustainable and resilient future for New Yorkers. The city has also launched several other initiatives, such as the NYC Green New Deal, which aims to transform the city’s economy to be more sustainable and equitable, and OneNYC 2050, which is a comprehensive plan to create a more resilient and sustainable city.

By working to reduce its carbon footprint and create a more sustainable future, New York City is setting an example for other cities around the world. Through initiatives like Local Law 97, the city is demonstrating that it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the global climate crisis, while also creating economic opportunities and improving quality of life for residents.

Who does Local Law 97 apply to and what are the requirements?

Local Law 97 Nyc applies to owners of buildings in New York City that are over 25,000 square feet and have been assigned a specific occupancy group under the New York City Building Code. This includes both commercial and residential buildings, as well as co-ops and condos.

Under the law, building owners are required to meet carbon emissions limits that are set base on the occupancy group of their building. The carbon emissions limits will be phased in over time, with the first compliance period starting in 2024. The limits become more stringent over time, with the final limits set to take effect in 2030.

Building owners have several options for meeting the carbon emissions limits under Local Law 97. They can implement energy-efficient measures such as upgrading lighting systems, improving insulation, and installing high-efficiency boilers. They can also install renewable energy systems such as solar panels, or participate in a carbon offset program.

The compliance options available to building owners include:

• Meeting the carbon emissions limits set by Local Law 97.
• Purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset their emissions.
• Participating in a carbon offset program approved by the New York City Department of Buildings.

Building owners can choose the compliance option that best suits their building and budget. However, it’s important to note that the cost of complying with Local Law 97 can be significant, and building owners may need to finance the required retrofits.

To help building owners comply with the law, the city has launched the Building Energy Efficiency Retrofits Accelerator program, which provides technical assistance and financing options to building owners. The program is design to help building owners make the necessary retrofits to reduce their carbon emissions and comply with Local Law 97.

Complying with Local Law 97:

How can building owners reduce their carbon emissions?

Building owners can take a variety of steps to reduce their carbon emissions and comply with Local Law 97 in New York City. Some of the ways building owners can reduce their carbon emissions include:

1. Conducting an energy audit: Building owners can hire a professional energy auditor to assess the energy usage of their building and identify areas for improvement.
2. Upgrading lighting systems: Replacing traditional lighting systems with energy-efficient LED lighting can significantly reduce a building’s energy consumption.
3. Improving insulation: Adding insulation to walls, roofs, and floors can help reduce energy loss and improve a building’s energy efficiency.
4. Installing high-efficiency boilers: Replacing old, inefficient boilers with high-efficiency models can help reduce a building’s energy consumption.
5. Using renewable energy: Installing solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy systems can help a building generate its own energy and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
6. Using energy-efficient appliances and equipment: Replacing old appliances and equipment with energy-efficient models can significantly reduce a building’s energy consumption.
7. Implementing smart building technologies: Installing smart building technologies such as automated lighting and temperature controls can help optimize energy usage and reduce waste.
8. Conducting tenant engagement and education programs: Educating tenants on energy-efficient practices and engaging them in energy-saving initiatives can help reduce a building’s energy consumption.

These are just a few examples of the steps building owners can take to reduce their carbon emissions and comply with Local Law 97. The most effective approach will depend on the specific characteristics of the building and the needs and resources of the building owner.

What are the available compliance options under Local Law 97?

Under Local Law 97, building owners have several options to comply with the carbon emissions limits set by the law. These compliance options include:

• Meeting the carbon emissions limits: Building owners can reduce their carbon emissions through energy-efficient measures such as upgrading lighting systems, improving insulation, and installing high-efficiency boilers. They can also install renewable energy systems such as solar panels, or participate in a carbon offset program.
• Purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs): Building owners can purchase RECs to offset their carbon emissions. RECs represent the environmental benefits of renewable energy and can purchased from renewable energy producers. Building owners can use RECs to offset the carbon emissions associated with their building’s energy usage.
• Participating in a carbon offset program: Building owners can participate in a carbon offset program approved by the New York City Department of Buildings. Carbon offset programs allow building owners to offset their carbon emissions by investing in projects that reduce carbon emissions, such as renewable energy projects or energy efficiency retrofits.

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