New York City is making significant efforts to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Local Law 97 (LL97), passed in 2019, is a crucial part of the city’s efforts to mitigate climate change by concentrating on emissions from large buildings. 

One crucial element of LL97 compliance is Local Law 84 (LL84) benchmarking, which determines a building’s emissions profile and forms the foundation for LL97 targets. This guest post will discuss the benchmarking requirements of NYC Local Law 84 and their significance for LL97 compliance.

The Basics of NYC Local Law 84 Benchmarking

What is Local Law 84?

As part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, Local Law 84, also called LL84, was enacted in 2009. Its primary goal is to collect and disseminate data on the amount of water and energy utilized by large buildings in New York City. 

Owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet, including private, public, and institutional buildings, must file annual reports outlining their water and energy usage.

Why Benchmarking Matters

Comparing a building’s water and energy use to other buildings of a similar size, design, and use is known as benchmarking. 

Municipal planners and building owners can use this comparison to identify areas for increased water and energy efficiency. For the following reasons, LL84 benchmarking is essential:

• Data Transparency

LL84 promotes transparency through the NYC Energy and Water Use Report (EWR) by making the public’s energy and water usage statistics available. 

Due to this transparency, which also informs building owners, prospective tenants, and buyers can make informed decisions about a building’s energy efficiency.

• Identifying Inefficiencies

By benchmarking their buildings, owners can find inefficient areas and take action to reduce energy and water usage. This brings down running costs while also advancing environmental sustainability.

• Compliance with Local Laws

Compliance with LL84 is a prerequisite for LL97. Building owners must demonstrate ongoing compliance with LL84 by submitting annual benchmarking data. Failure to do so can result in penalties and legal repercussions.

 

The Connection Between LL84 Benchmarking and LL97 Compliance

Understanding Local Law 97

Big buildings in New York City are subject to strict emissions regulations under the Climate Mobilization Act, often known as Local Law 97. 

Depending on their occupancy group and square footage, residential, commercial, and institutional buildings are subject to different constraints. 

Stricter emissions regulations implemented over time to achieve the target of an 80% reduction in glasshouse gas emissions by 2050.

How LL84 Benchmarking Supports LL97 Compliance

LL84 benchmarking establishes the foundation for LL97 compliance in a variety of ways:

• Emissions Baseline

The energy consumption data acquired by LL84 benchmarking sets a baseline for a building’s emissions profile. LL97 requires that this baseline be used to calculate the emissions limit for a building. 

Building owners can use this data to assess emissions and determine the reductions required to meet LL97 targets.

• Targeted Improvements

Using benchmarking data, building owners can identify areas that need to enhance their energy and water efficiency. Building operators can lower emissions and meet LL97 compliance by making targeted improvements.

• Reporting and Documentation

For LL84 benchmarking, annual energy and water consumption data reporting is required. A pattern for tracking and documenting a building’s performance is built through this reporting process. These records are essential to demonstrate compliance with LL97 to local officials.

Challenges and Benefits of LL84 Benchmarking

Challenges

While LL84 benchmarking has numerous benefits, it also has a unique set of challenges, including:

• Data Accuracy and Utility Meters

Data accuracy can be particularly challenging in older buildings with obsolete utility meters and equipment. Because they lack the sophisticated metering equipment in more modern buildings, many older structures make it more difficult to collect precise data. 

Building owners must invest in data management and metering equipment modernization to meet LL84 compliance standards. 

• Meeting Compliance Deadlines

Meeting the LL84 benchmarking deadlines each year might be difficult for building owners and operators. The process comprises gathering and verifying data, producing reports, and submitting them on time. 

Late submissions could endanger LL97 compliance efforts, underscoring the importance of timely and accurate data management.

Benefits

Although LL84 benchmarking has significant challenges, the benefits far outweigh them:

• Cost Savings and ROI

Utility bills can be significantly reduced over time by identifying and removing energy and water inefficiencies. 

Even if the initial cost might seem excessive, building owners can make a financially sound decision by investing in energy-efficient technologies and infrastructural upgrades. Frequently, the return on investment (ROI) is quick.

• Competitive Advantage and Tenant Attraction

Investors and tenants are increasingly interested in high-performing buildings with reduced energy use and environmentally friendly practices. 

By pulling in all the eco-conscious tenants, proactive energy-saving initiatives can provide all property owners a competitive edge within the real estate market. It can also help increase the property values significantly.  

• Climate Mitigation and Environmental

It’s possible to lessen the usage of water and energy through LL84 benchmarking instead of maintaining competitiveness and cutting down costs. 

Energy and water usage can be reduced by LL84 benchmarking in more ways than just cutting costs and maintaining competitiveness. It can also have a massive impact on environmental conservation. 

Property owners can help combat climate change and preserve the environment for future generations by lessening greenhouse gas emissions and restricting the wastage of energy.

Practices Worth Opting for LL84 Benchmarking and LL97 Compliance

When it comes to implementing LL84, LL97 compliance, it’s crucial to follow a proactive approach. In this section, you will come across some practices that are ideal for both property operators and owners:

• • Data Quality and Accuracy: Opt for effective data and metering management systems. Doing so will make sure that the benchmarking data is reliable. It’s important to audit and validate the data regularly to find inaccuracies.
  • Measures on Energy Efficiency: Opt for practices and technologies that are energy-efficient so that you can use less energy. To look for potential improvements, you must examine the energy usage. 
  • Strategic Planning: For LL97 compliance, you should make a long-term plan that will incorporate the budget improvements and focus on emissions reductions.  
  • Expert Guidance: Both the LL97 compliance and LL84 benchmarking are extremely daunting processes. Both of these processes need the aid of sustainability professionals and energy consultants to manage them properly. 

End Note

There is no doubt to the fact that the NYC Local Law 84 benchmarking is a deal breaker for LL97 compliance. People must understand and opt for proactive measures. That way, it will become easier to address the benefits and challenges of LL84 benchmarking. 

New York City, on the other hand,  will continue to proceed further toward a sustainable and greener future. The highly reputed and well-known NYC Local Law building consultants, the Cotocon Group, are experts in providing tailored solutions. 

They have the power to obtain seamless compliance with NYC Local Law 84 and Local Law 97, ensuring a sustainable future.