Compliance with Local Law 97 and its many requirements can be tricky—and failing to do so can be very expensive, thanks to hefty fines. Fortunately, the NYC Accelerator program is available to help. Initially launched in 2012 as the Clean Heat Program, it was intended to help buildings transition away from #6 heating oil. Since then, the program has evolved, expanded, and was relaunched in 2020 after the city's 2019 passage of the Climate Mobilization Act to support building owners in complying with LL97 and other energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. NYC Accelerator offers co-op and condo buildings free assistance with energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. They’ll help you cut your building’s emissions and energy costs, comply with LL97 on time, and avoid annual fines.
How Does it Work?
“Since 2020, NYC Accelerator has helped approximately 8,500 buildings achieve energy savings,” says program manager Simon Mugo. “They have assisted an additional 14,000 buildings with decarbonization planning and Local Law 97 compliance assistance.”
On the Accelerator website, click on ‘Look Up Your Building.’ Once connected to the program you will be assigned a dedicated account manager who will work with you throughout the entire process, assisting you by providing a building assessment, helping you understand your building’s compliance status, and reviewing energy audits and recommendations. Account managers will also work to identify potential energy efficiency projects and service providers who can do the work, as well as determine the applicable incentive programs and financing options to help cover the net costs of your projects.
How About Those Benefits?
Making use of the Accelerator has many potential benefits. According to Mugo, “NYC Accelerator assistance is free, and we have specialists who can assist with solar assessment and financing guidance. The savings per year vary greatly depending on building size and the measures implemented. From thousands of dollars, to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and sometimes even millions of dollars per year per building.”
Who Qualifies?
In short, just about everybody. NYC Accelerator serves all privately owned buildings greater than 5,000 square feet, assisting all income levels in all boroughs; that includes both affordable and market-rate multifamily buildings, as well as commercial, industrial, manufacturing, and institutional buildings. They assist buildings required to comply with LL97, as well as those that are less than 25,000 square feet and therefore not required to comply with LL97, but which might still desire to implement energy efficiency/decarbonization measures.
While project costs aren’t tracked, they can range from several thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the building size, type, number of measures, and other variables. So far, the program has saved approximately $9 million dollars in energy costs and saved more than 300 million kBtu of energy. That’s the equivalent of removing about 5,000 gas-powered cars from the roads in a year.
NYC Accelerator is a great resource for shared interest communities, offering free assistance with energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. They can help you cut your building’s emissions and energy costs, comply with LL97 on time, and avoid annual fines. Click here to get started.
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