NYC Local Law Compliance: Year 2024 in a Review

In 2019, New York implemented Local Law 97 to globally reduce carbon emissions. Since buildings contribute 70% of NYC’s greenhouse gas emissions, owners need early preparation for compliance starting in 2024. Taking action now is crucial to meet emission limits until 2030. The blog details greenhouse gas limits and offers seven vital steps for building owners to comply with LL97.

Understanding the Law

Local Law 97 targets a 40% carbon reduction by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The law was enacted in the year 2019. The law mandates efficiency upgrades for emissions from large buildings. This rule takes effect in 2024, with owners submitting reports to OBEEP for 2024-2029 and 2030-2050. DOB provides guidelines for emissions calculation, property types, reduction strategies, compliance assistance, communication, and consistency. The rules and guidelines help building owners understand the LL97 requirements in a better way.

The Carbon Limits

To achieve a 40% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030, the New York City Council has introduced limits and requirements for different building types. Here’s a tabular representation of the carbon limits.

 

NYC Local Law 97 Building Occupancy Timeline & Types
Group		Space	Carbon Limit
			2024-2029	2030-2034
B	Ambulatory Group	Medical Office	23	11
M	Mercantile	Retail Areas	11	4
A	Assembly	Assembly	10	4
R1	Hotel	Hotels	9	5
B	Business	Offices	8	4
E	Educational	Schools	7	3
R2	Residential	Multi-family Housing	6	4
F	Factory	Factory	5	1
S	Storage	Warehouse	4	1

 

NYC Local Law 97 imposes CO2 emission limits starting in 2024, with mandatory annual reporting from May 2025 to 2050. Building owners can take actions to mitigate increased energy usage.

How to prepare yourself for the initial LL97 report submission?

New York City aims to reduce building emissions by 40% in the next 6-7 years. This involves a thorough review of energy use and CO2 emissions. Local Law 97 mandates buildings to adhere to new energy efficiency standards. To comply, it’s crucial to benchmark a building’s current state, identifying areas for improvement in power consumption and heating oil use. This process ensures alignment with LL97 targets, contributing to both compliance and reducing the building’s impact on climate change.

 

Learn about the limits on building CO2 emissions

To comply with Local Law 97, understanding carbon emission limits is vital. Informed decisions and transitioning to sustainable energy sources in commercial buildings are key for compliance.

 

Local Law 97 Emission Calculation Intensity Factors
Energy Source	2024 Carbon Intensity Factors	EPA Carbon Intensity Factors
Electricity	0.8469	0.0847
#4 Fuel Oil	0.07529	0.07529
#2 Fuel Oil	0.07421	0.07421
Natural Gas	0.05311	0.05311
District Steam	0.04493	0.0664
Via: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

 

Discover cost-effective methods for reducing energy consumption

Preparing for LL97 involves economically reducing energy use in commercial buildings. Companies, like some hospitals in NYC joining PlaNYC’s carbon drawdown challenge, integrate environmental awareness into their culture. 

While not universally feasible, commercial buildings can adopt economical practices, such as automated power management systems, sensor installations for optimized lighting and HVAC control, transitioning to efficient LED lighting, and prioritizing HVAC system maintenance. These measures enhance efficiency, lower costs, and align with LL97 compliance goals, especially regarding carbon emissions from HVAC systems.

Explore available incentives for your building’s energy-efficient upgrades

Reducing CO2 in commercial buildings can be costly, but NYC offers programs through NYSERDA and utilities to ease financial burdens. Incentives like Low Carbon Pathways, NY-SUN, and AMEEP provide financial support for low-carbon upgrades and energy-efficient equipment installation. Complying with Local Law 97 requires engaging registered design professionals, such as Professional Engineers or Registered Architects, for complex reporting. 

Energy auditors aid in understanding and reducing building energy consumption. Leveraging technology for improved data collection, particularly focusing on HVAC systems that consume 35% of building energy, allows owners to identify efficiency opportunities. Machine learning tools analyze equipment data, providing optimal settings and potential savings on energy and water costs.

New Technologies to aid

As we move towards 2031-2050, reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption under Local Law 97 will become more critical due to stricter limits. Implementing essential changes now ensures a lasting impact on covered buildings.

In Conclusion

Meeting a building’s carbon limit under Local Law 97 involves improving energy efficiency, using lower-carbon fuels, and utilizing renewable energy credits or offsets. Consider referring to The Cotocon Group for ll 97 compliance consulting. Certain housing types have modified requirements, and specific buildings must perform low-cost energy upgrades by 2024. Currently, about 20% exceed 2024 caps, and approximately 76% exceed 2030 caps, varying by property type.

 

FAQs

1) What is Local Law 97 (LL97) and when does it take effect?

LL97 is part of NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act, aiming for a 40% carbon reduction from buildings by 2030. It starts in 2024, requiring building owners to submit annual carbon emissions reports until 2050.

2) What are the 2024 carbon limits and what to understand about it?

Different building types have varied carbon limits, such as 23 for medical offices and 5 for factories. It informs decisions for sustainable energy sources, aiding compliance with LL97 in commercial buildings.

3) What are the emission calculation intensity factors?

They include factors for electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, and district steam, crucial for local law 97 compliance. Adopt automated power management, install sensors, switch to LED lighting, and prioritize HVAC system maintenance.

4) Are there incentive opportunities for ll 97 compliance solutions?

Yes, programs like Low Carbon Pathways, NY-SUN, and AMEEP offer financial support for upgrades and equipment installation. They navigate complex reporting requirements for LL97, ensuring accurate and compliant submissions.

5) How can technology help meet LL97 goals?

Technology aids in data collection, particularly for HVAC systems, allowing owners to identify efficiency opportunities and meet LL97 requirements.