Local Law 97 is here to stay.

DOB Updates

The deadlines for Local Law 97 may seem far out, but the Department of Buildings is actively preparing internally to address this law. During a recent city council hearing, the DOB revealed that it has significantly expanded the team dedicated to implementing the city’s groundbreaking law aimed at reducing building emissions.

What this means

Local Law 97 is clearly here to stay. With the DOB taking steps to prepare by increasing staff, it is important to start planning and preparing accordingly.

Starting May 1, 2025, building owners will have to submit a report detailing their annual greenhouse gas emissions. The DOB will be responsible for collecting and analyzing these reports, as well as issuing and enforcing penalties for building owners that fail to meet their emissions targets every year.

• Those who don’t comply are subject to a fine of $268 for every metric ton of carbon dioxide above their set caps.

Given the prevailing uncertainty surrounding Local Law 97, the DOB will be prioritizing providing building owners with guidance on executing the necessary energy efficiency upgrades to comply with their annual emissions limits.

As a reminder, here are some important dates and deadlines:

• Compliance Report or De-carbonization plan for all buildings required to comply must be submitted by May 1, 2025 with yearly reporting due every May 1st
• Emission caps will become more stringent every 5 years
• Emissions will be calculated using benchmarking data, starting with 2024 utility data

Alternative compliance, including “Good Faith Efforts” De-carbonization plan MUST:

• Be completed by a registered design professional
• Outline measures to achieve 2024 limits by 2026
• Outline measures to achieve limits for every future compliance period on time
• Outline measures to achieve net zero by 2050

Work to achieve 2024 limit must be completed by 2026

The recently adopted Local Law 97 rules give building owners additional time to develop and implement strategic decarbonization plans for upgrades and retrofits while optimizing their funds.  

These long-awaited rules outline alternative compliance pathways for the 2024-2029 period, which include “Good Faith Efforts” and “Beneficial Electrification” projects. This will allow buildings that are over the first set of limits to develop short and long-term decarbonization plans in lieu of paying fines.

How HLZAE Can Help

HLZAE’s Registered Design Professionals, Certified Energy Professionals, and experience with Energy Audits combined with our Full-Service Engineering Design and Consulting services will ensure your goals of meeting requirements for Local Law 97, sustainable operation, and reduced operating costs are met. Our engineering project managers are true partners in managing your building’s carbon reduction projects.

 If you have questions on Local Law 97 compliance or would like to move forward with a proposal: