Local Law 97
NYC Buildings Emissions Law: What It Entails And How To Comply
To reduce carbon emissions from buildings, the City of New York enacted Local Law 97 (LL97) in 2019 as a part of the Climate Mobilization Act. This law places carbon caps on most buildings larger than 25,000 square feet—roughly 50,000 residential and commercial properties across NYC. These caps start in 2024 and will become more stringent over time, eventually reducing emissions by 80% by 2050.
What Buildings Does LL97 Cover?
1. Buildings that exceed 25,000 gross square feet.
2. Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 square feet.
3. Two or more buildings owned by a condo association that are governed by the same board of managers and that together exceed 50,000 square feet.
LL97 Exceptions
1. Industrial buildings that primarily produce electrical power or steam.
2. Detached or semi-detached buildings of three stories or less, where each owner owns and maintains their own HVAC and hot water systems that serve spaces of 25,000 square feet or less.
Fines For Non-Compliance
LL97 has fines for 2 types of violations:
1. Failure to file a report - $.50 per building square foot, per month.
2. Exceeding emissions limit - $268 for each metric ton over the buildings limit
If a false statement is filed, that is considered a misdemeanor.
LL97 Carbon Limits
Reducing Your Building Carbon Emissions
The most effective ways to reduce or eliminate a building’s carbon emissions are to enact energy efficiency and electrification measures. This includes updating oil or gas-burning boilers to heat pumps, which run on electricity. MPN has air-to-liquid and liquid-to-liquid heat pumps available that will help you in this process of LL97 compliance. We can also provide low-emission boilers and additional emissions-reducing accessories.
Alternative Compliance Pathways
1. Installing individual temperature controls or insulated radiator enclosures with temperature controls
2. Installing indoor and outdoor heating system sensors and boiler controls
3. Purchasing carbon offsets or renewable energy credits (RECs)
4. Insulating pipes for heating and/or hot water
5. Installing or upgrading steam system master venting and replacing or repairing all steam traps
Main Office
Address: 2 Hudson Street, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Tel: +(914) 332-0088
Fax: +(914) 332-9463
Email: info@mpnboilers.com
Website: mpnboilers.com
Long Island Office
Address: 1363 Lincoln Avenue, Unit 3, Holbrook, NY 11741
Tel: +(631) 253-2300
Fax: +(631) 253-0166
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Address: 1501 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Tel: +(631) 847-2601
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Tel: +(914) 332-0099