05 Apr NYC Energy Benchmarking Deadline 2024 – Just 3 Weeks Away!
The NYC Benchmarking Law states that owners of large buildings and settlements are required to measure, report, and audit their water and energy consumption in a process known as benchmarking.
The Local Law 84 of 2009 and LL133 of 2016 mandate this. This is a standardized procedure that requires owners to utilize the USA’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) benchmarking tool and publicly disclose their data by May 1st. This is part of an endeavor to neutralize emissions, reduce the overall carbon footprint, and counter the impact of global warming.
This article covers all the details large building owners should keep in mind to comply with New York’s benchmarking law as the deadline fast approaches.
What is Local Law 84?
According to LL84, buildings spanning greater than 50,000 square feet must disclose their water and energy consumption data by May 1st. However, the 2016 amendment under Local Law 133 reduced the size to 25,000 square feet. Benchmarking is mandated for the purpose of transparency regarding the total carbon footprint and resource consumption from large buildings. According to this data, building owners and residents can make decisions regarding decarbonization plans and making operations more efficient.
Building owners should use the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency’s benchmarking tool called Energy Star Portfolio Manager to submit their data by May 1st every year.
What is Local Law 133?
As stated earlier, Local Law 133 is an amendment to LL84 made in the year 2016. This change extended the benchmarking coverage to buildings in New York that spanned greater than 25,000 square feet. Effective from May 1st, 2019, all qualifying building owners are required to submit their energy and water consumption data. This is part of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Building owners must use the Energy Star Portfolio Manager to audit and submit their reports. This report, which contains the building’s greenhouse gas emission report and energy star score, is used to determine their energy grade. This grade must be publicly disclosed at the entrance of the building, as mandated by Local Law 133. Noncompliance with the law can cause quarterly fines of $500 to be levied on the powers.
How can you comply with LL 84 and 133’s Benchmarking mandate?
The Local Law 84 benchmarking covers buildings and establishments greater than 25,000 square feet. There are several rules that outline what structures fall under this law:
- Establishments with a floor size greater than 25,000 square feet.
- Buildings or complexes with a total or combined area spanning greater than 100,000 square feet that fall within the same tax lot.
- Condos, complexes, and two or more buildings with a total area larger than 100,000 square feet, with the same board of directors.
- Any city or state-owned structures greater than 100,000 square feet.
Buildings and establishments qualifying these criteria must publicly disclose their energy and water usage data as a part of benchmarking compliance. These criteria also apply to LL97 and LL87, which emphasize audits, building management systems, and retro-commissioning.
Certain buildings are exempt from the benchmarking even if they are 25,000 square feet. They must meet the following criteria:
- Real estate establishments that are a maximum of three stories high.
- Establishments with more than two homes that do not have HVAC or hot water systems.
- Attached are semi-attached or detached homes where each home individually owns and maintains the HVAC system.
Why does energy benchmarking matter?
This is an important procedure that aims to reduce overall carbon emissions, which is part of a larger plan to make New York carbon neutral. As part of the decarbonization plan, buildings must disclose their water and energy consumption data so that owners and tenants can take proactive measures to implement better building management systems for higher energy efficiency.
Having higher energy efficiency also increases the value of buildings in the market. Establishments must aim to achieve an ENERGY STAR score greater than 75. This qualifies them to apply for an increased value for leases to the blue ENERGY STAR label.
For submitting the benchmarking report, building owners must verify the following data:
- Confirm whether the data is accurate at the time of preparation and submission.
- The variables in the report must be metered and monitored throughout the year, starting from January 1st to December 31st.
- Owners should use the error checker pre-built in the Energy Star portfolio Manager.
- They must create the report and fill in the relevant information using the portfolio manager.
- Owners must update their submission to the latest report filing format according to what the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability prescribes.
Once owners have filed this information, they will receive an energy efficiency score. The higher the core, the better the grade the building receives. The scores follow these rules:
- A- Buildings scoring more than 85
- B- Establishments scoring greater than 70 but lesser than 85
- C- Score more than 55 but lower than 70
- D- Establishments scoring less than 55
- F- Establishments without a benchmarking submission
- N- Buildings exempt from benchmarking or not covered under Energy Star
Local Law 95 of the year 2019 legitimizes these scores and grades. Ideally, building owners should strive for a higher score.
Conclusion
The rising global temperatures are ringing alarms globally. As a result, governments across the globe are tightening their laws regarding energy consumption and decarbonization. The benchmarking mandate of New York forms an important part of the network of local laws. The Cotocon Group specializes in providing solutions regarding LL84 and LL133 compliance. With careful strategies around benchmarking, logistics, energy compliance statements, and removal of violations, they can help building owners meet the Benchmarking deadline in NYC.
If you’re an owner who has yet to file your report or need help with creating a report, contact the team for speedy solutions that help you avoid penalties. The Cotocon Group can help you make your buildings and establishments more competitive in the market by increasing their value. Contact the team today.