{"id":1660,"date":"2021-06-04T05:05:25","date_gmt":"2021-06-04T09:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecotocongroup.com\/?p=1660"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:51:04","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:51:04","slug":"nyc-local-law-97-compliance-guideline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecotocongroup.com\/blog\/nyc-local-law-97-compliance-guideline\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC Local Law 97 \u2013 A Compliance Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

A Brief Background of NYC Local Law 97<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As part of the progressive Climate Mobilization Act passed by the City of New York in April 2019, Local Law 97<\/a> aims to significantly reduce the carbon emissions from buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. To achieve this goal, Local Law 97 will place carbon caps on the emissions from these buildings in order to cut the presence of greenhouse gases 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The permissible limits for the buildings are based on their occupancy type, such as business, educational, institutional, residential (hotels or multifamily), factory, etc. This New York City Green New Deal comprises several laws, but Local Law 97 is the most essential.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

When Does It Come into Effect?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Local Law 97 will officially be enforced starting on May 1st<\/sup>, 2025 when buildings will be required to submit an annual emissions report pertaining to the prior year, and continue to do so up until 2050. The report must be stamped by a Registered Design Professional, either a Registered Architect (RA) or a Professional Engineer (PE), and it must be accurate and on time. Currently, the limits for Local Law 97 are split into two time periods: 2024-2029 and 2030-2034, with the regulations becoming more stringent over time. The emission restrictions for the first five years are designed to affect the top 20% of emitters, while the latter five years aim to impact 75% of buildings. With such strict standards set in place, Local Law 97 calls for immediate action by building owners in order to meet the guidelines.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”A Road to Compliance” css_animation=”bounceIn” border=”no”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The road to compliance with NYC Local Law 97 is long but we will list down some of the ways the building owners in New York City can ensure they comply with the law and avoid any fines that come with failure to comply.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Getting Energy Audit and Commissioning Services<\/strong><\/h4>\n

An Energy Audit<\/a> is the process of identification, survey, and the analysis of Energy usage in a building. It is done to optimize the energy usage of the system i.e., Keeping the outputs the same while reducing the energy consumption. A successful energy audit results in energy and cost saving while also reducing the overall carbon footprint.<\/p>\n

During an energy audit, health and safety are the primary concerns, while reducing energy consumption and maintaining human comfort. An energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the most cost-effective technique while keeping in mind the comfort levels.<\/p>\n

With the publication of ANSI\/ASHRAE\/ACCA Standard 211-2018, energy audits can now be counted on to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality. The ASHRAE Commercial Buildings Energy Audits Reference defines best practices for energy survey and analysis for purchasers and providers of energy audit services.<\/p>\n

Retro-Commissioning (RCx)<\/a> is a process that improves the efficiency of an existing building\u2019s equipment and systems.\u00a0 It can often resolve problems that occurred during design and\/or construction. Retro-commissioning also addresses problems that have developed throughout the building\u2019s life as equipment has aged or as building usage has changed. This involves systematic evaluations of opportunities to improve energy-using systems.<\/p>\n

Buildings frequently undergo operational and occupancy changes that challenge the mechanical, electrical and control systems, hindering optimal performance.\u00a0 In today\u2019s complex buildings, systems are highly interactive, with sophisticated controls that can create a trickle-down effect on building operations.\u00a0 All buildings can experience performance degradation over time.<\/p>\n

Hence, it is vital to constantly monitor the equipment and fix the errors that may be preventing optimal performance of the building. ASHRAE Guideline 1.2-2019<\/a>, provides requirements for the application of the Commissioning Process (Cx)\u00a0 to existing HVAC&R systems and assemblies.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”18″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Implementing Energy Efficiency Measures<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Building Owners can implement various Energy Efficiency Measures that will reduce the usage of energy in a building. Under LL97 of 2019, emissions are calculated based annually for each energy source used by the building.<\/p>\n