Local Laws: How They Can Affect Your Buildings

The local laws that apply to commercial and multifamily buildings are frequently updated. Con Edison’s programs and incentives can help you reduce your carbon footprint and ensure your building stays up to code.

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Local Law 97: Carbon Emissions Limits

This law was enacted in 2019 to make large buildings a powerful ally in New York City’s drive to cut carbon emissions at least 40% by 2030 and over 80% by 2050. The core of the legislation is a carbon emissions limit for single buildings over 25,000 sq. ft., or multiple building units with more than 50,000 combined sq. ft.

Does It Affect Me?

The first deadline to meet emissions limits is in 2024, and the next is in 2030. Currently, more than 75% of NYC buildings comply with the 2024 emissions limits, but only about 25% meet the 2030 standards. It is likely that most buildings will need to make equipment and envelope upgrades to comply with 2030 limits. Certain affordable housing buildings can choose low-cost prescriptive energy efficiency measures to reduce emissions instead.

What Can I Do?

Find out what the 2024 and 2030 carbon emissions limits are for your building type and see if making energy efficiency upgrades would help your building meet these goals. Con Edison is here to support you with energy efficiency incentives for commercial and multifamily buildings.

SEE IF LL97 WILL IMPACT YOUR BUILDING

Local Law 87: Energy Auditing & Retro-Commissioning

Local Law 87 requires large buildings (50,000+ sq. ft.) to periodically undergo energy audits and retro-commissioning. Performing these audits will give building owners a better understanding of the upgrades they can make to optimize their building’s energy performance and comply with Local Law 97.

This information needs to be submitted to the city in an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) once every 10 years in which the last digit of the year coincides with the last digit of the building’s tax block number.

Local Law 88: Lighting Upgrades & Sub-Metering

Residential buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. are required to replace lighting with LED light bulbs in common areas by 2025. Non-residential buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. are required to have LEDs in all areas by 2025. Additionally, non-residential buildings are required to install electrical sub-meters for large tenant spaces and provide monthly energy statements.