LL87: Energy Audits & Retro-commissioning

LL87: Energy Audits & Retro-commissioning
	The intent of this law is to require buildings to undertake the audits that lead to energy efficiency retrofits, which generally result in major cost and energy savings. Local Law 87 (LL87) mandates that buildings 50,000 gross square feet or larger undergo periodic energy audit and retro-commissioning measures, as part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP). Please review this section to learn more about LL87, how to comply, and where to get help. About LL87 How to Comply Where to Get Help
	About LL87LL87 requires large buildings to undergo an energy audit once every 10 years, along with retro-commissioning to "tune up" the building's existing energy systems and ensure efficient operation. The information, which will be compiled in an energy efficiency report, will be broken down into five categories: basic team information general building information energy end use breakdown energy conservation measures from the audit retro-commissioning data In alignment with annual benchmarking, these measures will work to optimize buildings' energy performance. Read Local Law 87: Energy Audits and Retro-commissioning (in PDF) Read Detailed Summary of Local Law 87 (in PDF) Energy Audits and Retro-commissioning Rule On September 13, 2012, the Department of Buildings published the final rule (in PDF) to provide more details on how to perform energy audits and retro-commissioning to comply with LL87. Updates on the rule are listed below: A public hearing occurred on March 23rd, 2012, at 1 pm, at 280 Broadway, 3rd Fl. The public comment period is now closed. Audits and retro-commissioning completed prior to the issuance of the final rule but in accordance with the law will be deemed in compliance. UpdatesCheck back here for updates. [back to top]
	How to Comply Steps for Compliance These are the necessary components to comply for LL87. Details on how to submit the energy efficiency report will be forthcoming. Energy Audits Energy auditor who is a certified or registered design professional Level II ASHRAE energy audit conducted, at a minimum List of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM), including capital improvements that would reduce energy use and/or cost of building operation Implementation cost, savings and simple payback Benchmarking report as conducted via EPA's Portfolio Manager for LL84 compliance Breakdown of energy usage by system and predicted energy savings by system after implementation of proposed measures General assessment of how tenant energy usage impacts base building energy consumption Retro-commissioning Retro-commissioning agent who is certified, registered or licensed professional Base building systems inspected for defects, cleanliness, valve operation, damper operation, sensor calibration and programmed set points Parallel systems checked for even load distribution Lighting levels measured and deemed appropriate for their operation Include list of equipment and findings in report Buildings Required to Benchmark Building owners can determine if their buildings are required to comply by checking the 2012 benchmarking compliance list for covered buildings (in PDF). Listed buildings must also comply with other GGBP laws: Local Law 84: Benchmarking (LL84), and Local Law 88: Lighting Upgrades and Sub-Metering (LL88). NOTE: Gross square footage (GSF) listed by the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) are estimates solely for identifying buildings under LL87. Disputing Benchmarking Compliance List If you see your building on the list of covered buildings, and believe its listing is inaccurate, please contact DOF at benchmarking@finance.nyc.gov to dispute building square footage or the number of buildings on a tax lot. Include in your email the following: The building(s) borough, block and lot numbers Contact name Contact email address or telephone number Reason for dispute with your commercial square footage NOTE: All other inquiries should be directed to the Department of Buildings at sustainability@buildings.nyc.gov. Energy Audits and Retro-commissioning Compliance Deadlines Beginning with calendar year 2013, the first energy efficiency reports for covered buildings in existence and for new buildings will be due in the calendar year with a final digit that is the same as the last digit of the building's tax block number, as illustrated in the chart below. The building's energy audit and retro-commissioning report must be completed prior to filing an energy efficiency report. Year first EER is due 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Last digit of tax block number 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 Early Compliance An energy efficiency report, including both an energy audit report and a retro-commissioning report, can be submitted between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013, in order to achieve early compliance. In such cases, the next required report for the building would be due in the tenth calendar year after the first assigned due date for the report; for example if the due date would have been 2015, satisfying the early compliance would make the due date 2025. Exemptions Buildings are exempted from the requirement for energy audits if they have achieved EPA Energy Star label or U.S. Green Building Council LEED® certification for at least two of the three years preceding the filing date, or have been documented by a registered design professional as an EPA Energy Star or LEED® certification equivalent. Buildings are exempted from retro-commissioning if the building has achieved LEED® certification and earned credit for the appropriate existing building commissioning credits. [back to top]
	Where to Get HelpThe City is dedicated to helping building owners achieve successful compliance and continues to look for ways to provide resources. To seek assistance complying with the requirements for LL87, go to the LL87 section of Outreach & Training. Financing and Incentives Visit the Financing and Incentives page for energy audit, retro-commissioning and other requirements.