Local Law 97 (LL97) is a new law that was passed by the New York City Council in 2019, as part of the Climate Mobilization Act. The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which are responsible for around 70% of the city’s emissions.
LL97 sets emissions limits for buildings over 25,000 square feet, which will be phased in over time. The first compliance deadline is 2024, and the emissions limits will become stricter in subsequent years. Building owners who exceed the emissions limits will face financial penalties.
To comply with LL97, building owners will need to implement energy efficiency measures, such as upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, improving insulation, and installing energy-efficient lighting. They may also need to consider renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to offset their emissions.
The law applies to a wide range of building types, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. There are some exemptions for certain types of buildings, such as those with high-energy uses like data centers, but in general, most building owners will need to comply.
Building owners should work with a qualified engineer or energy consultant to assess their building’s emissions profile and develop a compliance plan. They may also be eligible for financial incentives, such as grants or tax credits, to help offset the costs of implementing energy efficiency measures.
LL97 represents a significant challenge for building owners in New York City, but it also presents an opportunity to reduce energy costs and improve the sustainability of buildings.
LL97 Building Emission Limits
Under Local Law 97 (LL97), building owners in New York City are required to meet specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits based on the building’s occupancy class and square footage. The emissions limits will be phased in over time, with the first compliance deadline in 2024.
The specific emissions limits are based on a formula that takes into account the building’s occupancy class, which is determined by the building’s primary use, and its gross square footage. Emissions limits are expressed in terms of pounds of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per square foot per year.
For example, the emissions limits for a building with a primary use of multifamily residential and a gross square footage of 50,000 square feet are as follows:
- For the 2024-2029 compliance period: 0.0463 pounds of CO2e per square foot per year
- For the 2030-2034 compliance period: 0.0311 pounds of CO2e per square foot per year
- For the 2035-2039 compliance period: 0.0156 pounds of CO2e per square foot per year
If a building exceeds the emissions limit for its occupancy class and square footage, the building owner will be subject to financial penalties.
Building owners can work with energy consultants and engineers to assess their building’s emissions profile and develop a compliance plan to meet the emissions limits. The plan may include measures such as energy-efficient retrofits, renewable energy installations, and operational improvements to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Additional Rules for Local Law 97 Compliance
In addition to meeting the specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits under Local Law 97 (LL97), building owners in New York City must also comply with several other rules and requirements.
Here are some of the key additional rules for LL97 compliance:
- Submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER): The Building owners must submit an EER to the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) by December 31, 2024, and every four years thereafter. The EER must include an assessment of the building’s energy use, a summary of energy efficiency measures taken, and a plan for achieving compliance with the emissions limits.
- Conduct an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit: Building owners must conduct an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Level II Energy Audit by December 31, 2022, and every ten years thereafter. The audit must identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.
- Install Submeters: Building owners must install submeters for all tenant spaces larger than 10,000 square feet by December 31, 2024. This will enable building owners to track and report on the energy use of individual tenants, which is important for compliance with LL97.
- Maintain Energy Efficiency Improvements: Building owners must maintain any energy efficiency improvements made to the building, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, insulation, and lighting. This will help ensure that the building continues to meet the emissions limits over time.
- Document Compliance: Building owners must maintain records and documentation related to LL97 compliance, including energy bills, emissions data, and any energy efficiency measures taken.
Building owners can work with qualified energy consultants and engineers to assess their building’s energy use and develop a compliance plan that meets all of the LL97 rules and requirements. They may also be eligible for financial incentives, such as grants or tax credits, to help offset the costs of compliance.
What Is Local Law 97?
Local Law 97 (LL97) is a law that was passed by the New York City Council in 2019 as part of the Climate Mobilization Act. The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, which are responsible for around 70% of the city’s emissions.
Under LL97, building owners in New York City are required to meet specific GHG emissions limits based on the building’s occupancy class and gross square footage. The emissions limits will be phased in over time, with the first compliance deadline in 2024.
The specific emissions limits are based on a formula that takes into account the building’s occupancy class and square footage. If a building exceeds the emissions limit for its occupancy class and square footage, the building owner will be subject to financial penalties.
In addition to meeting the emissions limits, building owners must also comply with several other rules and requirements under LL97, such as submitting an Energy Efficiency Report (EER), conducting an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit, installing submeters, maintaining energy efficiency improvements, and documenting compliance.
LL97 represents a significant challenge for building owners in New York City, but it also presents an opportunity to reduce energy costs and improve the sustainability of buildings. Building owners can work with qualified energy consultants and engineers to assess their building’s energy use and develop a compliance plan that meets all of the LL97 rules and requirements. They may also be eligible for financial incentives, such as grants or tax credits, to help offset the costs of compliance.
Local Law 97 Nyc Penalties
Local Law 97, also known as the Climate Mobilization Act, is a set of laws passed in New York City aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The law imposes strict emissions limits on buildings over a certain size and requires them to achieve progressively lower emissions targets over time.
Penalties for non-compliance with Local Law 97 include fines, as well as restrictions on the use of the building. The exact penalties will depend on the severity of the violation and the size of the building. The New York City Department of Buildings is responsible for enforcing the law and can issue violations and fines for non-compliance.
The penalties for non-compliance with Local Law 97 can be significant. For example, a building that fails to meet emissions limits in 2024 may be subject to a penalty of up to $268 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions that exceed the limit. For a large building with high emissions, this penalty could add up to thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per year.
It is important for building owners and managers to take Local Law 97 seriously and take steps to comply with its requirements to avoid costly penalties.
