Related Resources
Articles, Blogs & Other Materials
The Climate Mobilization Act is a suite of local laws passed in 2019, including the laws discussed below.
“NY utilities signal that they will consider electrification to offset gas demand,” Tom DiChristopher, S&P Global, July 21, 2020
“5 Key Considerations as 1-Year Countdown Begins for Climate Mobilization Act,” Raymond “Rusty” Pomeroy and Brian Diamond, New York Law Journal, July 13, 2020
“Progress and Delays on Putting Milestone Emissions Law into Action,” Danielle Cruz, City Limits, July 7, 2020
“Trading: A New Climate Solution for Buildings,” Urban Green Council, June 2020
“Empire State of Green,” Sarah Kaplan and Aaron Steckelberg, The Washington Post, May 27, 2020
“Dirty Energy, Big Money: How Private Companies Make Billions from Polluting Fossil Fuel Peaker Power Plants in New York City’s Environmental Justice Communities—and How to Create a Cleaner, More Just Alternative,” Clean Energy Group, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, New York Lawyers for Public Interest, THE POINT CDC, and UPROSE, The PEAK Coalition, May 7, 2020
“After Pandemic, New York’s Buildings May Face Daunting Decarbonization Mandate,” Justin Gerdes, Green Tech Media, April 23, 2020
“NYC Congestion Pricing Program on Hold Due to Coronavirus, Imperiling MTA Modernization Plans,” Clayton Guse, Daily News, April 22, 2020
“Preparing Real Estate Professionals for NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act,” Raymond Pomeroy and Brian Diamond, New York Law Journal, April 21, 2020
“Navigating New York City’s New Green Roof Requirements,” Ethan DeLehman, Urban Energy, August 12, 2019
“Challenges for Co-Ops, Condos, and Other Residential Buildings in Complying with New York City’s 2019 Climate Mobilization Act,” Karen Meara and Christopher Rizzo, New York Law Journal, June 19, 2019
“Can New York Make Buildings Super-Efficient, Fast?” Kriston Capps, City Lab, May 2, 2019
“How New York City is Preparing for Climate Change,” Renee Cho, State of the Planet, April 26, 2019
“Action on Global Warming: NYC’s Green New Deal,” nyc.gov, April 22, 2019
“NYC Climate Mobilization Act: Moving Towards a Sustainable Future,” The Cotocon Group, April 18, 2019
“Big Buildings Hurt the Climate. New York City Hopes to Change That.” William Neuman, The New York Times, April 17, 2019
“NYC Building Emissions Law: Frequently Asked Questions,” Urban Green Council, 2019
“Ambitious New York City Bill Aims to Replace Gas-Fired Power Plants with Renewables,” Alexander C. Kaufman, HuffPost, January 8, 2019
Local Laws 92 and 94 require green roofs or solar PV systems on certain new construction and renovation projects. This requirement applies to all projects approved after November 15, 2019.
“Navigating New York City’s New Green Roof Requirements,” Ethan DeLehman, Urban Energy, August 12, 2019
"Navigating New York City’s Sustainable Roof Requirements," Christian Bergland, Building Energy Exchange, June 17, 2019
Local Law 95 establishes a grading system to assess the energy performance of buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger. Buildings were required to submit energy use data by May 2020.
"Like Restaurants, Buildings Will Get Grades (D’s for Energy Guzzlers)," Jane Margolies, NYT, Nov. 21, 2019
Local Law 96 establishes clean energy financing tools for building owners.
“How New York City is Picking Up the ‘PACE,’” Thomas O’Connor and YuhTyng Patka, New York Law Journal, November 4, 2019
"New York Housing Authority announces new bold commitment to electrification," Sherri Billimoria and Yu Ann Tan, Rocky Mountain Institute, November 5, 2020.
Local Law 97 places limits on the amount of greenhouse gases that large buildings may emit.
"NY City Council Passes Expansion of Climate Mobilization Act for Residential Properties" October 30, 2020
"New York City’s Building Emissions Law Shows the Importance of Economywide Climate Policy," Dr. Noah Kaufman and Yu Ann Tan, Columbia SIPA, October 1, 2020
New York Eyes Technologies for Buildings’ Emissions Compliance, Stephen Lee, Bloomberg, Sept. 21, 2020
nyc LL97 carbon emissions calculator
“All About NYC’s Historic Building Emissions Law,” Urban Green Council, 2019
“2019: A Big Year for Reducing Building Emissions in NYC,” Donna DeCostanzo and Rebecca Behrens, Natural Resources Defense Council, December 20, 2019
“Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Johnson Announce Appointees to Climate Advisory Board Ahead of First Meeting,” NYC.gov, December 19, 2019
“To Fight Climate Change, New York City Will Push Skyscrapers To Slash Emissions,” Camila Domonoske, NPR, April 23, 2019
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NYC’s COVID-19 building requirements threaten to derail push to cap greenhouse gas emissions, Michael Gartland, NY Daily News, Aug. 30, 2020
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NYC Neglects Key Climate Initiatives, Carlos Castell Croke, NYLCV, Aug. 27, 2020
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NYC PLAN DELAYED… AGAIN, Danielle Muoio, Politico, Aug. 3, 2020
Related Proceedings and Actions
On June 3, 2020, the NYC Department of Transportation launched its Clean Trucks Program using $9.8 million in Volkswagen Settlement funds allocated by DEC for the project. The Clean Trucks Program uses incentives to replace older, higher polluting diesel trucks with battery-electric, compressed natural gas, diesel-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid-electric, and new diesel trucks with much lower emissions. The Clean Trucks Program will provide funding ranging from $12,000 to $185,000 per truck replacement depending on the fuel type. The old diesel vehicles must be scrapped to receive the incentive.
Relevant Events
Carbon Trading for Buildings? Insights from the German Emissions Trading Program
In the fall of 2019, Germany adopted novel climate legislation that calls for the establishment of a trading program for carbon emissions from the transportation and building sectors. The new law, which has already generated substantial controversy, will take effect in 2021. Pursuant to Local Law 97 of 2019, New York City is considering adopting an emissions trading program of its own. At this upcoming event, experts from Germany and New York City will share insights on the opportunities and challenges of developing carbon trading programs for these sectors, focusing on buildings.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Via Zoom*
*Zoom Link to be provided after registration.
Please register here.
The speakers include:
Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Secretary General of Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (Keynote Address)
Nicole Abene, Senior Legislative Attorney at New York City Council
Austen Brandford, Senior Legislative Counsel at New York City Council
Christopher Halfnight, Associate Director, Policy at Urban Green (Moderator)