1. What does building decarbonization mean and why is it important in New York City?▲
Building decarbonization is the process of reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by improving energy efficiency, switching from fossil-fuel systems (like oil and gas boilers) to clean electricity, and integrating renewable energy sources.
In New York City, buildings are responsible for about 70% of total carbon emissions. Decarbonizing your property helps comply with Local Law 97, lowers utility bills, avoids fines, and positions your asset for long-term value growth in a competitive real estate market.
2. What is Local Law 97 (LL97) and how does it affect building owners?▼
3. How can building owners avoid LL97 fines?▼
4. What financial support is available through NYSERDA for decarbonization projects?▼
5. How can smart building technology help reduce energy costs and emissions?▼
6. How much can I save on energy costs by decarbonizing my building?▼
7. Will decarbonizing my building increase its market value?▼
8. How does an ESCO make decarbonization projects affordable?▼
9. What is the first step toward compliance with Local Law 97?▼
10. Why should I act now instead of waiting until 2030?▼
11. Which buildings in New York City must comply with Local Law 97?▼
12. When do the LL97 compliance periods start, and what are the reporting deadlines?▼
13. What are the penalties or violations under Local Law 97 for exceeding emissions limits?▼
14. Are there mechanisms in LL97 for credits, offsets, or adjustments to reduce penalty exposure?▼
15. What is a mediated resolution, and when can a building owner apply for it?▼
16. Are there new rules or proposals altering LL97 compliance (e.g. for cogeneration, biofuels, emissions coefficients)?▼
17. In the context of NYC buildings and ESCO projects, how do benchmarking, energy audits, and emissions reports differ and relate?▼
18. Will decarbonization/LL97 compliance overlap or conflict with other NYC building energy laws like benchmarking or auditing?▼
19. What are common pitfalls or hidden challenges in retrofitting for decarbonization that building owners should watch out for?▼
20. What is an Energy Performance Contract (EPC), and how can it help my building meet LL97 goals?▼
21. How are building carbon emissions calculated under Local Law 97?▼
22. What energy modeling standards are accepted for compliance planning?▼
23. How does electrification impact building load profiles and utility costs?▼
24. What role does distributed energy (DERs) play in LL97 compliance?▼
25. How do heat pumps perform in NYC’s cold climate?▼
26. What commissioning and retro-commissioning requirements intersect with LL97?▼
27. How are district steam and chilled water emissions treated under LL97?▼
28. Can cogeneration (CHP) still be used as a compliance strategy?▼
29. How should owners prioritize between energy efficiency and electrification?▼
30. What is the impact of grid decarbonization on compliance planning?▼
31. How do smart building analytics platforms support LL97 compliance?▼
32. How do green leases affect LL97 compliance responsibilities?▼
33. How do embodied carbon considerations fit into LL97 projects?▼
34. What are the typical financing structures for decarbonization projects in NYC?▼
35. How do you measure and verify savings from decarbonization projects?▼
