By Brian Bonar, CEO & Chairman
The global conversation surrounding the need for clean energy and carbon reduction is louder than ever. This is due, in large part, to the world’s reliance on fossil fuels and the resulting CO2 emissions that are placing immense pressure on the environment—leading to pollution, the depletion of natural resources, and ultimately, accelerating climate change.
But there is hope. Discovering new ways to improve energy efficiency and implementing these methods can drive us toward a brighter, healthier future. In fact, some familiar places are already exploring the possibilities and becoming models of long-term sustainability in the process—in this case, the largest metropolitan area in the United States: New York City.
New York City’s Local Law 97
New York City’s Local Law 97, or LL97, is one of the most ambitious plans for reducing emissions in the nation and is considered a landmark mandate in driving building performance standards. These new “standards” are intended to cap emissions and energy consumption while requiring building owners to improve energy and water use.
First included as part of New York City’s 2019 Climate Mobilization Act, LL97 takes aim at New York City’s 50,000 buildings over 25,000 square feet and includes progressively stricter emissions standards over the next several years, with the end goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. 2024 marks the first compliance period of this law.
LL97 Main Goals
- Reduce the emissions produced by the city’s largest buildings 40% by 2030
- Reach Net Zero (carbon neutrality) by 2050
LL97 Building Specifics
- Buildings that exceed 25,000 gross sq. ft.
- Two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 sq. ft.
- Two or more buildings owned by a condo association that are governed by the same board of managers and together exceed 50,000 sq. ft.
While building owners are hurriedly researching and retrofitting their buildings in accordance with LL97, it’s still a work in progress. According to a 2022 city analysis, 11% of buildings required to comply with the law exceeded emissions limits for the 2024-2029 compliance period, and 63% exceeded limits for the 2030-2034 period.
Fortunately, there has been significant growth in climate technology and clean energy manufacturing in the past couple of years, and many experts predict that newly-available solutions—like heat pumps—will make an immediate impact and directly address and alleviate ongoing compliance issues.
NYC and Beyond
The Big Apple isn’t the only major city in the U.S. to tackle the energy and emissions problem. However, it’s being credited as jump-starting the “building decarbonization” trend, influencing other localities to follow suit.
As of today, four states and ten cities and counties have adopted similar policies—known as “building performance standards”—which are likely to go national in the near future. These include:
States:
- Colorado
- Maryland
- Oregon
- Washington
Cities and Counties:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Chula Vista, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Montgomery County, Maryland
- New York City, New York
- Reno, Nevada
- Seattle, Washington
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Washington, D.C.
New York State’s All-Electric Buildings Act
Another New York-first initiative is the All-Electric Buildings Act, which would electrify all new construction in New York state. First introduced during the 2021-22 legislative session and reintroduced in 2023, it requires all new single-family and low-rise buildings to be carbon pollution-free within the next few years. Additionally, all remaining new construction is required to be carbon pollution free, with limited exceptions (“common sense” exemptions have been noted to help ensure a smooth roll-out that will benefit all New Yorkers).
When it becomes an official law in 2026, the All-Electric Buildings Act will require most new buildings in New York state to use electric heat and appliances instead of planet-destroying fossil fuels. Since buildings alone account for 32% of greenhouse gas emissions in New York, they must be part of the response to the ongoing climate crisis.
An Ongoing, Collective Effort
Achieving carbon neutrality and Net Zero emissions is a collective effort. States, cities, businesses, and individuals can all play active roles in this vital endeavor.
States and Cities: Local governments can implement policies and infrastructure projects that promote the use of clean energy. This includes investing in public transportation, building solar farms, and offering incentives for energy-efficient homes and businesses.
Businesses: Companies can lead by example by adopting sustainable practices and investing in clean energy. From reducing waste in production processes to sourcing materials responsibly, businesses have the power to make significant positive impacts.
Consumers: Every individual action counts. Simple choices like switching to energy-efficient appliances, reducing water usage, and supporting sustainable brands can collectively drive massive change.
Moving Forward
New York City’s Local Law 97 and the state’s All-Electric Buildings Act represent a significant step forward in leading the global fight for long-term sustainability. The path to a sustainable future is paved with clean energy, progressive technology, and responsible practices. By understanding the importance of sustainability and recognizing our individual and collective roles, we can work together to protect our planet and secure a better future.
Dalrada is committed to delivering solutions that help buildings meet the requirements of Local Law 97 and the All-Electric Buildings Act, contributing to a greener, more sustainable New York and the rest of the world. Our range of climate technology products—including our innovative heat pumps—are designed for large-scale use, and they provide an energy-efficient, eco-friendly solution for large buildings to reduce their carbon footprint and remain compliant with current and upcoming laws and regulations.
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Brian Bonar is Dalrada’s CEO and Chairman. He has presided over the company for more than two decades, priming it for explosive growth and success. Dalrada is a publicly-traded company (OTCQB: DFCO)