13 Sep NYC Local Law 88 – Just Inches Away From the Deadline
Whenever you have large establishments and buildings that consume a lot of energy, owners are vested with the possibility of making sure they fare well in comparison to peer establishments of the same size. This is not a competitive action but a part of the initiative to get carbon neutral in New York. Not only does this reduce environmental degradation, but it also improves the living conditions within these establishments. This article is a thorough guide to the details of NYC Local Law 88, its compliance procedure, and deadline that you should heed.
So what’s Local Law 88?
This was passed in 2009, and ever since, it has required certain building owners to take active initiatives to update the lighting and sub-metering system in the spaces occupied by their tenants. This law applies to residential buildings that are 25,000 square feet in size and non-residential buildings that exceed this size. These establishments must change their lighting sub-metering system under the New York City Energy Conservation Plan.
Further, every tenant space greater than 5000 square feet must also provide a monthly energy usage report. Presently, building owners and tenants must make these updates and provide these energy reports by 2025.
Why is this necessary?
There are several reasons, but we can break it down this way. Several buildings depend solely on a single meter to keep track of electricity consumption. This makes the bill incurred for non-residential tenants a fixed rate, no matter what the actual consumption of the tenants looked like. The idea behind updating the right and sub-metering systems is the conjecture that Individual tenants would be more likely to reduce their energy consumption if they knew how much energy they used on a period basis.
The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP) enforces this as part of New York’s carbon neutrality and decarbonization program.
What requirements should you need for LL88 compliance?
The two basic elements you need are the lighting upgrades and the installed sub-metering systems. After that, the tents must provide a monthly report of their energy consumption. So, what do these Local Law 88 compliance solutions look like?
Lighting Upgrades
All the buildings under Local Law 88 New York City need to comply with the rules mandated by the NYC Energy Conservation Code standards. January 1st, 2025, is the deadline for making these changes. You also need to consider the maximum power allowance for your upgrades.
- Lighting controls for interior appliances
- Light intensity reduction controls and automatic stitch-off and turn-on
- Tandem wiring
- Exit signs
- Exterior lighting
These rules are codified under section 805 of the New York Energy Conservation Code. Building owners don’t have to implement all of these changes at once, but they must happen eventually, and all parts of the buildings should have these updates.
Electrical Sub-Metering
This involves the installation of sub-meters in every non-residential tenant space in an establishment over 5,000 square feet to make sure its actual energy usage is monitored.
Monthly Energy Statements
All non-residential tenants using these spaces must receive reports of the amount of energy that they have utilized. This Is so that they get a realistic measure of their consumption patterns and make more efficient decisions in the future.
Which buildings are covered under Local Law 88?
A covered building to a mixed-use structure is the prime subject of this law. In essence, these are buildings that have both residential and non-residential tenants using space for personal or commercial purposes.
- Establishments greater than 25,000 square feet.
- A property of two or more buildings which is under the same tax lot and greater than 100,000 sq ft.
- Condominium complexes greater than 100,000 sq ft that fall under the same board governance.
The only exception to this law is that it doesn’t apply to buildings with R-2 or R-3 occupancy classifications. You must provide a lighting report to the New York Department of Buildings to prove that your facility establishment falls under this state of exception and is exempt from the legislation.
What are the benefits of complying with local law 88?
There are several personal as well as philanthropic benefits of this:
Energy Efficiency
This means the tenants and residents of the establishment pay lower electricity bills.
Sustainability
This is one of the prime aims of the local laws of New York, which is to reduce the amount of carbon footprint of each establishment.
Better Tenant Relations
When tenants are aware of the amount of energy they consume, they will be more involved in caring for the environmental health of the establishment they reside in.
What is the last day to implement the changes under LL88?
The deadline for both implementing the lighting and sub-metering changes is January 1, 2025. You need to file the details and reports of the updated sub-meeting with the Department of Building by the beginning of next year. Keep in mind that the report for lighting and sub-metering will be different.
What happens if you don’t make the changes on time?
If you cannot meet the deadlines prescribed by the law, then you might have to incur fines and penalties described according to each miss on your list.
Lighting Upgrade Report
All bundling owners to whom this law applies must update and be transparent about the updates to their lighting system. You need to pay $1500 yearly if you delay your updates and reports. If you don’t make your reports and updates accessible, you have to pay these fines.
Electrical Sub-meter
There are two types of fines that are levied for noncompliance with submetering installation and reports.
- Non-reportage of sub-meter readings
If you fail to update and make available the reports of your monthly sub-meter energy consumption, you will need to pay a penalty of $1500.
- Non-installation of Sub-meters
If you don’t update your submeters every year, you have to pay $500.
Conclusion
That brings us closer to the details of LL88 NYC and the rules and regulations around its compliance. As environmental concerns, carbon neutrality, and improved living conditions under residential and nonresidential establishments take front and center attention, it is necessary that both tenants and owners of buildings cooperate.
Large-scale environmental upliftment cannot happen on an individual basis. You need the coordination of several people conducting owners, residents, and the government bodies implementing these laws. It is good practice to update the management systems of your establishments according to the latest available technology and make sure your property is performing at the same level as its peer facilities.
At The Cotocon Group, the experts help you with extensive and detailed LL88 Consulting Services. They will help you perform thorough energy efficiency audits while guiding you to find the best building management systems.
If you find filing the reports too daunting, the team can guide you closely. As the deadline approaches next year, ensure you are ahead of the schedule to prevent any last-minute mistakes or legal errors.