NYC Environmental Issues
NYC Department of Buildings Releases Proposed Local Law 97 Regulations
On October 6, 2022, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued proposed regulations to implement Local Law 97 of 2019 (LL97). LL97 requires most large buildings in NYC to meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits starting in 2024. The proposed regulations include three key components and numerous other clarifications to the…
Building Owners Sue NYC to Challenge Local Law 97
Marking the first legal challenge to NYC Local Law 97 of 2019 (Local Law 97) since its enactment, a group of building cooperatives, residents, shareholders, and a real estate company (Plaintiffs) sued the City of New York, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), and the DOB Commissioner (collectively, Defendants) on May 18, 2022….
NYC Adopts Sweeping New Stormwater Rule
In February 2022, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted the Unified Stormwater Rule (USWR) to update the stormwater management requirements for all new development and redevelopment sites that discharge to City sewers. The USWR amends Title 15, Chapter 19.1 and Chapter 31 of the Rules of the City of New York, which relate…
New York Climate Action Council Releases CLCPA Draft Scoping Plan
On December 30, 2021, the New York State Climate Action Council released the Draft Scoping Plan for the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Draft Scoping Plan) for public review and comment. The Draft Scoping Plan recommends policies and actions to help New York meet the ambitious climate goals articulated in the Climate Leadership and…
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…
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…