NYC Energy Compliance, Without the Headache
Over the last several years, New York City has passed several pieces of legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings — including the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan of 2008 and the Climate Mobilization Act of 2019. These ordinances created separate sets of Local Laws building owners must comply with to avoid hefty fines. Below are summaries of these laws, and how Aggressive Energy makes compliance easier for you.
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Greener, Greater Buildings Plan
The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan of 2009 is the most comprehensive set of energy efficiency laws in the U.S. It focuses on the city's largest existing buildings and laid the groundwork for future climate laws targeting building energy efficiency and consumption — including the Climate Mobilization Act. The Greener, Greater Buildings Plan includes Local Laws 84, 85, 87, and 88.
Local Law 84
≥ 50,000 sq ftLocal Law 84, also known as the NYC Benchmarking Law, requires owners of large buildings to benchmark their annual energy and water consumption, then enter that data into their Energy Star Portfolio Manager — the online tool used to submit data to the city. You'll then receive your building's Energy Star Rating, or energy efficiency score. NYC LL84 applies to all buildings larger than 50,000 square feet, and two or more buildings on a single tax lot that is larger than 100,000 square feet.
Local Law 85
RenovationsNo longer exempting renovations, Local Law 85 — the second law in the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan — requires buildings undergoing renovations of any kind to meet the most current energy code. We know construction is difficult enough on its own, which is why our team of experts will work collaboratively with you to create an energy plan that ensures you're on the right track.
Local Law 87
≥ 50,000 sq ftLocal Law 87 requires buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to conduct an Energy Efficient Report and submit it to the city. This report includes an audit of building energy consumption and retro-commissioning, which is an analysis of how well your equipment was installed and how well it's currently working.
The LL87 process requires the following:
- Determine if a building needs to comply, and what year it is due.
- Conduct an energy audit and retro-commissioning of base building systems.
- Complete an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) electronically.
Local Law 88
≥ 25,000 sq ftLocal Law 88 requires common areas in residential buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, and all areas in non-residential buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, to upgrade their lighting system to meet the current NYC Energy Conservation Code standards. The law also requires non-residential buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to put electrical sub-meters in place for each non-residential tenant space larger than 5,000 square feet, and to provide monthly energy statements.
Both Local Law 87 and 88 require some audits on the part of the building owner. If you have the right energy supplier, the process isn't nearly as scary (or time-consuming) as it sounds. Lean on us to assess your building and its lighting system's energy usage, and we'll create a structured plan that works best for your business.
Read About Local Law 88 →Climate Mobilization Act
Passed a decade after the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, the Climate Mobilization Act of 2019 is the most ambitious set of climate laws passed by any city in the world. It includes five Local Laws that aim to drastically cut New York City's carbon emissions: Local Laws 92, 94, 95, 96, and 97.
Local Law 92 & 94
New builds + roofsLocal Laws 92 and 94 entail all new buildings — as well as any buildings going through extensive roof renovations — to be covered with solar panels and/or green roofs. Buildings are also required to reduce urban heat hazards. Aggressive Energy knows solar power for business is worth the investment and will help you make a decision that's sustainable for your building, and your budget.
Read About Local Law 92 & 94 →Local Law 95
A–F scaleLocal Law 95 amended the ranges for how energy efficiency grades are calculated as previously set by Local Law 33 a year prior. LL33 mandates that buildings must show their energy efficiency grades publicly, not unlike how restaurants showcase their public health ratings. Based on its Energy Star score, your building will be graded on an A to F scale.
Local Law 96
3+ units / commercialLocal Law 96 establishes a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program for any commercial or multi-family (3 units or larger) building. The PACE loan was introduced in an effort to help eligible buildings fund energy efficient and renewable energy projects needed to comply with the Climate Mobilization Act. If you qualify, we'll guide you so you're able to maximize the immediate and long-term benefits of PACE loans. If you don't qualify, don't worry: we'll still come up with an energy solution that meets the financial and energy efficient requirements you're after.
Local Law 97
≥ 25,000 sq ftLast but certainly not least, Local Law 97 is the heart of the Climate Mobilization Act, requiring all buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to meet aggressive carbon reduction targets. To meet these targets, the law sets limits on carbon emissions from buildings in two phases. Starting May 1, 2025, building owners must report emissions from the previous year.
Laws like these are why we call ourselves Aggressive Energy: we know ambitious goals require an aggressive strategy. We aren't intimidated by customers with high carbon emissions because we know just how to reduce them. Ready to make NYC Local Law compliance stress-free? Contact us today!
Read About Local Law 97 →Make NYC compliance stress-free
From benchmarking to carbon caps, we turn a stack of Local Laws into one clear plan for your building. Let's talk before the next deadline arrives.
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