What is the New York City Local Law 97 (LL97)?

The New York City Local Law 97 aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050  and fostering sustainability for buildings in the city over a certain size. LL97 sets specific emission limits per square foot of building area, varying by building type and occupancy.

Following one of the most ambitious climate trends in the United States, LL97 requires nearly 50.000 New York buildings to take proactive measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

Which buildings are covered by the LL97?

Here are the Local Law 97 covered buildings but there are some exceptions:

• Buildings that exceed 25,000 square feet.
• Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 square feet.
• Condo association with two or more buildings that are governed by the same board of managers and that together exceed 50,000 square feet. 

LL97 applies to buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, with some exceptions covering residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. Read more about the required emissions limits and buildings that are exempt from Local Law 97 at the Department of Buildings (DOB) Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting.

How building automation is the solution to LL97?

Building automation optimizes energy usage and reduces waste by integrating systems such as HVAC, lighting, and energy management. Gateway integration solutions enable centralized control, real-time monitoring, and data analytics to help building owners make data-based decisions directly related to energy consumption.

Integrated systems help buildings to be in line with the LL97 requirements by:

• Energy monitoring benefits building operators by collecting data on energy usage to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted energy-saving measures.
• Energy control reduces both energy costs and emissions by intelligently controlling HVAC, lighting, and other systems based on occupancy, weather conditions, and time schedules.
• Demand Response provides integrated systems the capability of adjusting energy usage during peak demand periods and reducing strain during high-demand situations.

Which are the real benefits behind the New York City Local Law 97?

LL97 brings several tangible benefits to the environment, the building owners and also the building users and aims to a more sustainable city.

• Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the Carbon Footprint.
• Energy cost savings thanks to efficient control of in-building equipment.
• Improve user comfort by activating systems when and where they are needed.

To summarize, The New York City Local Law 97 requirements aim for energy efficiency and represent a bold and necessary win-win step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city's buildings while both building owners and users get benefits such as cost savings and improved indoor comfort.

Read further information about USA Regulations for energy efficiency and key policy initiatives for building owners in this Whitepaper.