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.
Contact MPN Boilers for Local Law 97 Compliance Solutions
Local Law 97 Explained
Local Law 97 Essentials
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.
What are my penalties for not complying with Local Law 97?
With the Building Energy Snapshot tool from NYC Accelerator, simply enter your address to uncover your building’s energy usage, see whether it’s on track to meet Local Law 97 targets, and view projected fines or savings opportunities. Plus, the program connects you with expert, free guidance to help reduce emissions and avoid costly penalties.
Local Law 97 Compliance Period
The law sets increasingly strict emissions limits over time:
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- 2024–2029: The first set of limits are in effect.
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- 2030–2034: Stricter limits will be enforced, requiring significant action as current data suggests 63% of buildings may exceed these caps without intervention.
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- 2050: The goal is for all covered buildings to meet zero-emissions requirements.
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 electric boilers or heat pumps, which drastically reduce or eliminate your carbon production, or by completing a boiler conversion which reduces carbon production. MPN has air-to-liquid, liquid-to-liquid heat pumps, electric boilers, and a variety of boiler conversion options 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
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