May 2025 is fast approaching for 4,004 New York City buildings to meet or pay up against Local Law 97. To support these buildings, a groundbreaking initiative known as DecarbNY is here to help property owners navigate the complex journey toward compliance and sustainability.
Local Law 97 is designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by targeting the city’s largest emitters—buildings—and mandates substantial emissions cuts for thousands of properties in the coming years. For building owners facing potential penalties, DecarbNY offers a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to meet the decarbonization demands while avoiding costly fines.
What is DecarbNY?
DecarbNY is a city-scale program that provides New York City building owners with a structured pathway to decarbonize their properties. The initiative offers access to advanced technologies and financial incentives that make it easier for buildings to reduce energy consumption and operational carbon. One of the program's primary objectives is to help building owners rapidly file decarbonization plans showing projected energy savings, allowing them to delay penalties through the Good Faith Effort pathway.
With Local Law 97 fines starting in 2024 and the critical May 1, 2025 deadline approaching, buildings must act quickly to avoid significant penalties. DecarbNY leverages innovative tools such as the Poppy Certify for RetroCx system, which helps optimize HVAC performance by aligning airflow rates with occupancy levels, reducing unnecessary energy use while ensuring compliance with ASHRAE Standards 241 and 62.1.
How To Help Your Building Avoid LL97 Fines
The penalties for non-compliance with Local Law 97 are steep, but DecarbNY provides a lifeline through its Good Faith Effort pathway. By submitting a decarbonization plan with projected energy savings before the deadline, eligible building owners can secure up to two additional years to fully meet emissions reduction targets, providing much-needed time to implement decarbonization strategies.
This pathway is a significant benefit for building owners struggling to meet the requirements, as it reduces the immediate financial pressure of fines while showing regulators that the building is actively working towards compliance. Learn more about how it works.
Advanced Technologies for Cost-Effective Compliance
One of the key differentiators of DecarbNY is its focus on optimizing existing building systems rather than requiring expensive infrastructure retrofits. The Poppy Certify for RetroCx tool is pivotal in this strategy. This retro-commissioning system tests and adjusts HVAC performance to ensure optimal energy efficiency, which can significantly reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. Given that HVAC systems account for up to 60% of building energy consumption, improving their efficiency is crucial to achieving Local Law 97 compliance.
In addition to cutting-edge technology, the DecarbNY program offers financial support through the NYSERDA FlexTech initiative, which can cover 50% to 100% of retro-commissioning costs, making decarbonization more accessible and affordable for building owners.
Who Should Act Now?
The DecarbNY program is designed for large commercial buildings, office spaces, residential buildings, and public facilities—especially those facing Local Law 97 penalties due to high energy consumption. If your building is at risk of exceeding its carbon emissions cap, now is the time to act. The sooner you engage with DecarbNY, the quicker you can file a decarbonization plan, secure penalty mitigation, and set your building on a sustainable path.
Reach Out Today to DecarbNY
Don't wait until fines start to accumulate—reach out to DecarbNY today. Our team of experts is ready to help you navigate the requirements of Local Law 97, optimize your building’s energy use, and ensure a smooth path to compliance. It's crucial to act now to protect your building’s financial health while contributing to a greener, more sustainable New York City.
See if your building qualifies. Our consultation is quick, easy, and at no cost.
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