Free Local Law 97 Webinar

The Department of Buildings will host a free webinar on calculating building emissions limits for Local Law 97 of 2019 using Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) property types. This live webinar, hosted by DOB sustainability experts, will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Continuing education credits are available for Registered Design Professionals who participate in the webinar. You must be registered for the webinar in order to be eligible for AIA credit.

To find out more information, and to register for the webinar, please click the link below.

Course Webinar: Energy Star Portfolio Manager: Property Types & LL97/19 - AIA CES Approved for 1 LU/HSW

First Major Local Law 97 Rule

The Department of Buildings has been hard at work implementing Local Law 97 of 2019, the City's landmark emissions limits regulation for larger buildings in New York City. Buildings are the #1 source of climate-change causing greenhouse gas emissions in New York City, accounting for around two-thirds emissions citywide.

1 RCNY 103-14, which is effective January 19, 2023, gives owners clarity on the emissions limits for the spaces within their buildings, and details on how to calculate their total building emissions limits. This rule, provides buildings owners with the information they need as they plan and execute building retrofit projects ahead of the 2024 carbon emissions limits deadline and beyond.

DOB will be publishing additional proposed rules related to the law this year, but building owners should not be waiting to start making changes at their properties. With the first major rule published, the time to act is now!

Read the Local Law 97 Rule

Local Law 97 Advisory Board Report Released

As part of our efforts to implement Local Law 97, the Department of Buildings convened an advisory board comprised of a diverse array of stakeholders. The Advisory Board was tasked with looking at the tough questions related to this law and developing recommendations for the City to consider when implementing LL97's carbon emission limits.

Along with several Climate Working Groups comprised of subject matter experts, the Department and the Advisory Board coordinated over 360 meetings to discuss ways to implement the law. During this extensive process, the Board developed a range of recommendations for the City to consider going forward, with an eye towards fairness and maximizing the impact of the law.

The result of these meetings is the Local Law 97 Advisory Board Report, which contains all of the recommendations that received a majority of support during the Advisory Board process. The Department has already incorporated many of these recommendations into our first agency rule, and is carefully considering the remaining recommendations going forward.

Read our Press Release

Read the Local Law 97 Advisory Board Report

Local Law 97 Advisory Board Members

Climate Working Group Members

Need Help?

Not sure if your building is mandated to meet Local Law 97 requirements? Or if it is, do you have questions on what you must do before the compliance deadlines?

We are here to help.

Property owners who would like assistance meeting their emission targets can reach out to NYC Accelerator – a program of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice – which is available to provide free, one-on-one assistance. In addition to personalized guidance on building retrofit projects, NYC Accelerator can assist owners in applying for low-interest financing and available incentive programs.

Assistance with benchmarking is available via the NYC Sustainability Help Center, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by emailing Help@NYCsustainability.org or by calling (212)-566-5584.

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