Benchmarking your Multi-family Building

As we mentioned a few months ago, some multi-family buildings in NYC will soon be subject to new regulations. As part of the Mayor’s PlaNYC 2030 program, buildings over 50,000 sqaure feet will soon need to conduct annual benchmarks of their current energy use. The Network Green Housing Initiative realizes that complying with Local Law 84 may be difficult for some of our members, so we’ve done some research on how to comply, who can help you and challenges to look out for. Over the next couple of weeks we will be posting our findings here in sections. Please keep in mind that our research is not comprehensive; it should be regarded as a helpful resource for getting started, not a definitive guide to the law.

Also, although you’ll note that the effective deadline for compliance is now August 1, 2011, we strongly advise you to begin the process now. There are several points along the way at which you might get delayed or stuck, and time delays will be longer the closer to the deadline you get.

Part One: Introduction to LL84

In December 2009, Mayor Bloomberg signed into law the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan for New York City. One component of the legislation requires that owners of buildings over 50,000 square feet complete a benchmarking assessment for each of those buildings by May 1, 2011.  On March 21^st, the city announced a grace period for benchmarking penalties until August 1^st, effectively extending the deadline.  You are still encouraged to start the benchmarking process as soon as possible.   After August 1^st a fine of $500 will be assessed for every quarter that building owners do not comply.