Part of the Climate Mobilization Act, Local Law 97 is setting ambitious carbon reduction targets for buildings across the city, and it directly affects how facilities of all sizes manage their current water treatment processes. To help you stay compliant, this article will help you understand the benefits of this groundbreaking law, including the enhanced sustainability goals it sets, and the potential cost savings that can come with it.
For those evaluating if they have the right water treatment company in New York City, understanding this law will ensure you partner with the right company. However, transitioning isn’t without its hurdles; we’ll also address the challenges you might face, such as the initial financial outlay and the technical adjustments required for compliance.
Plus, we’ll provide some practical advice on how to prepare your facilities to meet these new standards efficiently.
What Is Local Law 97?
Local Law 97 is a central pillar of New York City’s ambitious agenda to help tackle the impact of climate change. It was enacted as part of the city’s Green New Deal in April 2019 with a goal to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which represent about two-thirds of the city’s total emissions today.
Under this law, buildings larger than 25,000 square feet are mandated to meet stringent energy efficiency and emissions standards starting in 2024, with even tougher restrictions set to be met for 2030. The ultimate goal? A 40% reduction in emissions by 2030, ultimately advancing towards net zero by 2050.
This law affects a significant swath of the city’s real estate, ranging from single large buildings to complexes governed by a single board, shaping a greener, more sustainable New York City.
What are the benefits of Local Law 97?
Local Law 97 doesn’t just push for sustainability; it also offers tangible benefits for property managers and owners. Implementing energy-efficient strategies and technologies means that you’ll see a reduction in operating costs which, in turn, boosts your bottom line.
These improvements can enhance tenant comfort, potentially reducing turnover and keeping rents competitive. On top of this, upgrading to high-performance equipment increases both the value and marketability of your properties.
Beyond the basic financial perks, adhering to Local Law 97 significantly cuts down your overall carbon footprint, making a direct contribution to a cleaner, healthier community. In essence, this law helps pave the way for a greener, more cost-effective future for the underlying infrastructure of the buildings throughout The City That Never Sleeps.
Main Challenges To Be Aware Of
Trying to comply with Local Law 97 brings some challenges with the process, each one demanding a thoughtful strategy to overcome. Financially, the retrofitting part of the process can be pretty daunting due to the high costs that are involved—but thankfully, a variety of incentives, grants, and financing programs are currently available to help building owners better manage these expenses.
For example, partnering with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and exploring energy performance contracts are a couple of practical ways to alleviate the financial burden that are associated.
On the technical side, success in retrofitting requires detailed planning that starts with thorough energy audits and feasibility studies that help pinpoint the most effective energy reduction strategies for your building. Working with seasoned engineers, architects, and energy consultants can help you overcome the various complexities of retrofitting and ensure that every modification meets outlined compliance standards.
Engaging the involvement of building owners, tenants, and facility managers enhances the project outcomes and ensures that everyone understands the benefits. Along with this, having effective communication and inclusive decision-making processes can help promote long-term sustainability and improve tenant satisfaction.
Government support is also indispensable when it comes to retrofitting, as these agencies provide valuable guidance, support, and additional incentives to foster building retrofits.
Staying informed about these resources and actively engaging with various government initiatives can help streamline the retrofit process and ease the path toward compliance with Local Law 97 going forward.
How To Embrace NY’s Changing Laws For Registrations
Trying to adapt to New York City’s shifting regulations can seem like a real pain, let alone just being informed of them. Thankfully, there are a variety of efficient ways for building owners to embrace these changes and ensure their compliance with them.
For guidance on staying compliant, building owners can turn to the NYC Accelerator program offered by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. It provides free consultations and guidance for building owners and maintenance managers and is particularly valuable for larger properties that might also need specialized advice from professionals like HVAC engineers, water treatment experts, or even solar installers.
Understanding how to navigate Local Law 97 and similar regulations is essential for ensuring that your building remains compliant with NYC’s laws. Thankfully, for your organization, from financing to expert advice and strategic planning, there are plenty of resources and strategies available that can help mitigate the impact of these regulations and position your properties for a more sustainable and compliant future.
How Tower Water Can Help You Stay In Compliance
It’s quite clear by now that staying on top of New York City’s shifting laws and regulations requires a bit of careful planning and taking some proactive measures. From understanding the financial options available for necessary upgrades to seeking guidance from experts and leveraging support programs, there are ways to ensure compliance while maximizing the benefits for your properties.
So, whether you’re a co-op owner, condominium board member, or building manager, staying informed and taking action early on measures related to Local Law 97 is key to helping you minimize the impact of these regulations and setting your property up for success going forward.
For building owners and facility managers, Tower Water has the advice, guidance, and solutions needed to help you stay compliant with Local Law 97 and other relevant regulations related to water treatment processes. Ready to learn more? Use our convenient online contact form to get started.
