Local Law 97: Emissions Law Overview

Designed to greatly reduce building operational carbon emissions toward a goal of net zero by 2050.
- Most buildings over 25,000 square feet are required to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits as of 2024, with stricter limits coming into effect in 2030
- The goal is to reduce the emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
- Local Law 97 of 2019 was amended by Local Law 147 of 2019, and additional amendments have followed.
  - Part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Green New Deal

Owners whose emissions limits have been lowered have the option of:
1. Following either the original limits based on New York City Building Code occupancy groups
2. The limits based on ESPM property types

Local Law 97 applies to buildings that:

Are larger than 25,000 square feet
Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 square feet
Two or more buildings owned by a condo association that together exceed 50,000 square feet

Key requirements include:

Non-compliance can result in significant penalties:

$268 per metric ton of emissions exceeding the building's limit
Additional fines for failure to submit reports ($0.50 per square foot per month)
Penalties for submitting false reports can reach up to $500,000

Amendment:
- Allows a building to get an adjustment to its emissions limit for the years 2024-2029
- The adjustment will be 70% of the building’s 2018 emissions.
To qualify for this adjustment:
- The building's emissions in 2018 must exceed the 2024 emissions limit by more than 40%.
- The excess emissions must be due to a special circumstance related to the building's use
Purpose:
- Gives more flexibility and additional time for buildings to meet emissions limits if they meet specific criteria
Deadline:
- Buildings seeking this adjustment must submit their application by January 1, 2025.

Requirements, Coverage, Reporting, Penalties, and Amendments