New York City Council - Benchmarking

On December 9, 2009, the New York City Council adopted four local laws designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings that exceed 50,000 square feet in size. Together, these local laws create a New York City Energy Conservation Code that requires covered buildings to:

Benchmark energy/water consumption (applicable to both commercial and multifamily building starting in 2011) for buildings over 50,000 square feet.

Perform energy audits and retro-commission base building systems (applicable to both commercial and multifamily buildings starting in 2013).

Implement lighting upgrades (applicable to both commercial and multifamily buildings by 2025).

Undertake sub-metering in tenant (applicable to commercial) spaces.

What are the requirements for Phase I going forward?

Local Law No. 967-A requires owners to file an energy efficiency report with the City every ten years. The report must focus on the building’s “base building systems” that use energy and/or impact energy consumption. This list includes but is not limited to the building envelope, HVAC systems, elevators, hot water and electrical and lighting systems. An energy audit must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered design professional. The audit requires analysis of base building systems and will identify measures that would reduce energy use and/or the cost of operating the building.

What is the timetable for compliance?

The first report is due in the calendar year with a final digit that is the same as the last digit of the building’s tax block number. Therefore, if the building’s tax block number ends with the digit “9,” then the first energy efficiency report for that building must be filed in 2019. However, owners may submit an energy efficiency report in 2013 in order to achieve early compliance.

How does this program help me and how does the application process work?

INFORMA energy will work with building owners and managers to participate in this program and obtain all eligible incentives towards the audit and implementation of energy reduction measures. The energy efficiency report will provide the list of equipment for retro-commissioning which must be undertaken. Retro-commissioning is a systematic process for optimizing the energy efficiency of existing base building systems through the identification and correction of deficiencies. Our long-term affiliation with industry professionals has provided turnkey solutions such as energy management systems and boiler conversions.

BENCHMARKING