28 Jun New York City Local Law 97 – What to do with just six months to go

As the deadline for the first compliance report for LL97 looms over our heads, building owners in NYC need to step up their game. This new rule aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and build a greener future. With six months to go, you must ensure your property meets the new standards. Knowing about the new updates, regulations, and laws is crucial in this regard. Accordingly, there are certain steps that you would need to take. 

In this blog, we will guide you through the steps you need to take to comply with the law. So, let’s continue reading to get acquainted with the process. 

What is NYC Local Law 97? 

As the buildings account for two-thirds of the GGEs in the city, Mayor Adams and the previous mayors have promised to address these emissions. They have made it a point to make the city carbon neutral by 250. Local Law 97 is the most ambitious plan that aims to reduce these emissions. Under this law, buildings over 25,000 sq ft in the city must meet energy efficiency and GGE limits. 

Steps to take

With just 6 months remaining until the first compliance report for the LL97, due on May 1, 2005, in this blog, we provide a complete breakdown of what you can do. Let’s continue reading to learn more: 

1. Confirm your building applicability 

You must double-check if your building falls under these criteria. Listed below are the benchmarks decided by the government:

• Structures that exceed 25,000 sq ft. 
• A few more buildings on the same tax lot exceed 50000 sq ft. 
• Thirdly, two or more structures are owned by an association that the same group of people governs. In addition to this, the building must be more than 50,000 sq ft. 

You must conduct the next step if your building falls under any of these criteria. However, if unsure, you can consult a professional or check out the government site. 

2. Track the emissions from your building 

If the criteria mentioned above apply to your building, you can gather data from your building. To collect this information, you need to compare the utility for the year 2024. The New York Local Law 97 focuses on calculating the building’s annual emissions by multiplying its energy usage. You can get the value for each fuel type. Listed below are some methods by which you can track emissions from your structures. 

• Energy Star Portfolio Manager 
• NYC Accelerator Building Energy Snapshot
• LL97 Carbon Emissions Calculator 
• Urban Green Council’s Metered 
• NYC.Gov Building Energy Performance Analyzer 

However, by using such software, you can determine the energy consumption of your building. If this is too complicated, consult a Local Law 97 Consulting Service like The Cotocon Group. They will look after all the work so that you can focus on more important activities. 

3. Evaluate your compliance status 

To assess your Local Law compliance status, here are the following steps that you can take:

• Plan the assessment for your building. 
• Hire a qualified professional who can conduct a compliance review. 
• After analyzing the findings, they can perform a gap assessment for your building. 
• With the reports, you can approach the key stakeholders, if any, and update them on the work. 
• In the next step, with the help of the professional, you can formulate a plan to improve the compliance posture. 
• Lastly, with the help of the expert, you can adopt compliance management tools. 

4. Strategies a plan

After conducting thorough checks, you can strategise a plan if your building is at risk of exceeding the set limits. You can visit their website to refer to the details of the clauses suggested by the government. To achieve this compliance, you can take measures like: 

• You can lower carbon emissions by switching to low-carbon fuels for your building. Apart from this, you can install solar or battery storage with the budget. If you are constructing a new structure, you can also opt for materials with a lower carbon footprint. 
• You can also use credits from eligible Renewable Energy Generation or Greenhouse Gas Reduction projects. 
• After conducting the checks, you can renovate the building and consider implementing eco-friendly measures. For example, you can adjust temperature set points or repair heating system leaks. Moreover, you can also insulate your doors and windows so that the draft does not come in. 

5. Consider retro-commissioning 

To upgrade your building, you have to conduct thorough checks. For these checks, your primary job will be to hire a Retro-Commissioning Agent with experience in identifying building maintenance issues. However, before contracting them, you must check their credentials. 

This Local Law 97 Consultant must be certified by the Building Commissioning Association, the Association of Energy, or another approved organization. They will handhold you through retro-commissioning and make sure your building complies with the Local Laws. 

6. Consult a professional 

You can better fulfil the compliance by contacting an authorized professional like an energy engineer or building consultant. They can help you get accustomed to the Greenery Greater Building Plan and make the necessary adjustments to your structure. 

7. Stay updated 

The last step that you can take is to file a report with the Department of Buildings by May 1, 2025. By working closely with them, you can ensure that your renovation plan complies with NYC LL97. Meanwhile, you can contribute to a greener future by staying updated with the changes and clarifications on the laws. 

Ending notes

By taking proactive measures now, you can ensure that your property complies with the LL97. While conducting these checks, you are not alone. You can contact Cotocon Group for comprehensive decarbonization services. They have partnered with various state corporations and have the necessary credentials to conduct these checks. 

Most importantly, the professionals out there are knowledgeable and experienced in their work. 

Therefore, contact them today to get a customized service and increase the value of your property.