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LL87: Energy Audits & Retro Commissioning 

Local Law 87 of 2009 as amended requires owners of certain buildings to undergo energy audits and retro-commissioning every ten years to identify energy-saving measures and ensure building systems are operating efficiently.  

An Energy Audit is a survey and analysis of energy use in a building with the purpose of identifying opportunities to reduce the amount of energy consumed without negatively affecting the operations.

Retro-commissioning is the process of ensuring that the energy systems in an existing building are installed as per the design intentions, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained, according to the owner’s operational needs.

Covered Buildings

As it appears in the records of the NYC Department of Finance (DOF):

  • buildings greater than 50,000 gross square feet
  • a tax lot containing two or more buildings that together exceed 100,000 gross square feet
  • two or more buildings held in a condominium form of ownership that together are larger than 100,000 gross square feet.

Covered Buildings List (CBL)

Exceptions

If you believe your property is erroneously listed on the Covered Buildings List due to the square footage of your building, contact DOF at sustainablebuildings@finance.nyc.gov.

Please include the following in the email:

  • borough, block, and lot number of the building
  • contact information: name, email address or/and telephone number
  • explanation of your dispute.

Requirements

Owners are obligated to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER), summarizing the findings and recommendations of an energy audit and related retro-commissioning measures, in the calendar year in which the last digit of the year coincides with the last digit of the building’s tax block number.

Energy Efficiency Report Submission

Submittals should be sent to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov.

Filing Guide

Energy Audit Template Tool 

  1. Create an Asset Score account on the US Department of Energy’s webpage
  2. Select Audit Template once logged in
  3. On the right of your screen, Select Audit Report and NYC Energy Efficiency Report
  4. Please use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Asset Score Audit Template as the Energy Audit Data Collection Tool for LL87/09 energy audit reporting requirements.
  5. To access the Audit Template, please follow the follow the Quick Start Guide – a resource available to help users understand the process of using and submitting the Audit Template.

Retro-Commissioning Reporting Tool

NOTE: The Excel based Retro-Commissioning Tool (above) must be submitted for buildings submitting in 2020 and onward.
(If the Department has granted permission to submit in 2020 or onward using the previous 2012 Rule, submit the older version of the Retro-Commissioning Tool which may be requested by sending an email to  LL87@buildings.nyc.gov).

Extensions

To apply for an extension, complete an EER2: Application for Extension to File an Energy Efficiency Report, sign the form, scan the form, then email the form to LL87@buildings.nyc.gov. The Department will notify you by email when the application has been received and send you instructions on how to mail in the payment.

Deferrals

Local Law 87 allows building owners otherwise required to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) by December 31 to defer their filing. The deadline to file an EER1: Application to Defer Filing an Energy Efficiency Report is December 31.

Deferrals are permitted when an applicant can demonstrate that the property meets current New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) requirements.

Deferral Eligibility 

To be eligible for a deferral, a building must meet one of the following qualifications:

  • The building is less than 10 years old (at the commencement of the first calendar year it is due to comply) and all base building systems comply with the NYCECC
  • The building has undergone substantial rehabilitation(as certified by a registered design professional) within the 10-year period prior to the assigned calendar year in which the report is due. At the start of such calendar year, all base building systems must be in compliance with the NYCECC in effect for new buildings constructed on or after July 1, 2010 or in effect on the date of such substantial rehabilitation, whichever is later.

How to Apply to Defer Filing

Contact for Questions

Email questions to LL87Questions@buildings.nyc.gov.

Additional Information & Resources

Helpful Links