Climate Change and Resiliency
NYC’s Natural Gas Ban Intends to Speed Up Building Electrification
In the waning days of its 2021 legislative session, the New York City Council passed a new law limiting the use of carbon intensive fuels in future building construction. Passed by the City Council on December 15 and signed by outgoing Mayor Bill De Blasio on December 22, Local Law 154 seeks to address the…
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Issues CLCPA Compliance Guidance
On December 8, 2021, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC or the Department) issued two policies that incorporate climate change considerations into Departmental decision making and ensure compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA). As previously covered by the SPR Blog, the CLCPA requires DEC to establish…
Local Law 97 Carbon Trading Feasibility Study Published
The carbon trading feasibility study required by NYC Local Law 97 of 2019 (Local Law 97) has been published by NYU’s Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy & Land Use Law, in consultation with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Sustainability, among others. Local Law 97 requires that most buildings in NYC…
City Issues New Local Law 97 Affordable Housing Guidance
New York City issued new guidance on compliance with Local Law 97 of 2019 (Local Law 97), as amended, for affordable housing and extended the compliance deadline for some types of rent regulated buildings. Local Law 97 requires most buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet progressively stringent greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) limits or to…
New Model High-Performance Lease Helps Unlock NYC’s Ambitious Climate Goals
In August 2021, the Institute for Market Transformation, with pro bono assistance from SPR, released a model high-performance lease that will provide critical assistance for commercial building owners and tenants seeking to advance building decarbonization and comply with NYC Local Law 97. A “high-performance lease” is a commercial lease that contains provisions that mandate…
NYC Department of Buildings Issues New Guidance on Local Law 97 Adjustment Applications
On Friday April 9, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued its first Local Law 97 Adjustments Application Filing Guide. DOB began accepting adjustment applications on April 12, 2021 via its DOB NOW: Safety website. Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97) requires most New York City buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet…