Queens Councilwoman Sandra Ung hosted a town hall to discuss the implementation of Local Law 97 (LL97) and the programs available to co-op and condo owners to bring their buildings into compliance on Tuesday, June 20, at P.S. 214Q. Tarek Arafat of the NYC Department of Buildings and Joseph Staluppi of the NYC Accelerator joined Ung at the event.
According to Ung, the main focal point of this town hall was for DOB to attempt to address the many concerns and questions regarding the law’s implementation. NYC Accelerator was meant to try and provide guidance as to how building owners can improve their energy efficiency so that it is in compliance with Local Law 97 (LL97).
Passed by the City Council in 2019, LL97 requires buildings in New York City of more than 25,000 square feet and certain multi-building properties to meet new energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the city 40% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. This has led to many residents of co-op and condo developments to be concerned about facing hefty fines as early as next year if they are unable to take steps that would reduce their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
Many of the residents whose homes don’t currently meet the 2024 limits argue the law’s implementation will result in draconian fines. They allege that certain properties are put in position where it is unavoidable to face penalties, even if they voluntarily met or exceeded previous targets for emissions reductions and otherwise complied with all laws in effect when they designed, constructed and renovated their buildings. Greenhouse gas emissions exceeding a building’s greenhouse gas limit will be penalized $268 per metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent.
“Like many of you, I share concerns about the financial impact that this bill will have on the co-op and condo owners right here and across the city,” Ung said. “Over the past few months,…
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