Push for rules to make buildings greener

Elected officials and climate activists on Thursday demanded the Adams administration release a highly anticipated set of rules for a new law designed to make city buildings greener.

Dozens gathered outside City Hall in support of Local Law 97, which sets carbon emission limits for tens of thousands of New York’s largest buildings beginning next year. Those not in compliance will face hefty fines.

But questions remain around its implementation, with climate advocates raising concerns that an as-yet-unreleased second set of rules won’t be tough enough. At the rally several speakers reiterated concerns about possible loopholes, such as the use of renewable energy credits, which could weaken the law.

“I think it’s about time that this administration finishes the process of making rules, making sure there’s no loopholes, making sure that billionaires cannot buy their way out of making the changes they need to change,” said Councilwoman Sandy Nurse.

The 2019 legislation targets most commercial and residential buildings over 25,000 square feet. Many have already begun the process of retrofitting to bring their properties into compliance, leaving some owners scrambling.

Buildings are by far the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in the city, accounting for about two-thirds of output. Local Law 97 aims to reduce emissions by New York’s largest properties 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The law is set to go into effect in January, with emission caps becoming stricter over time.

An initial set of rules was finalized late last year, but a number of questions remain regarding enforcement and penalties. It comes as the city has experienced record heat in recent weeks, and nearly a month after smoke from California wildfires blanketed the city in haze and turned the skies orange — all of which underscores the urgency of Local Law 97, activists said.

Department of Buildings spokesman Andrew Rudansky defended the rollout of the legislation in a statement to the Daily News and said the second Local Law 97 rule package will be released later this summer and include, among other things, “details about penalties for noncompliance, good faith efforts to be demonstrated for penalty mitigation, credit for early electrification work, and details for affordable housing and house of worship compliance.”

But those at the rally remained undaunted by pushback and emphasized the importance of the law. “It’s the single biggest thing we can do to fight the climate crisis locally,” said Laura Shindell, an organizer with Food & Water Watch. “There’s no other option.”