Request a proposal In the field. In the documents. On the record.NYC emissions compliance
Building-specific emissions analysis, compliance planning, measure evaluation, documentation, and capital-roadmap support for New York City owners.
Request a proposalIn plain terms
Local Law 97 regulates greenhouse gas emissions from covered NYC buildings. A sound assessment starts with the building’s compliance pathway, property uses, and complete energy record—not a penalty estimate based only on floor area.
Scope, requirements & reporting
Coverage generally includes individual buildings over 25,000 gross square feet, multiple buildings on one tax lot totaling over 50,000 square feet, and qualifying condominium groups over 50,000 square feet. Article 320 and Article 321 have different requirements; certain affordable housing and other special circumstances affect the pathway. Confirm each building’s status and supporting records.
Limits began in 2024 and become stricter in 2030. Article 320 generally requires an annual report certified by a registered design professional. A building within its current limit may still need capital work for a later period. KOW can coordinate the baseline, reduction options, and implementation schedule within the agreed scope.
DOB states the annual excess-emissions penalty calculation as emissions above the limit multiplied by $268 per metric ton. That calculation alone is not a complete assessment: filing obligations, applicable adjustments, deductions, and penalty-mitigation provisions need separate review. Proposed reductions should be supported by documented assumptions and realistic project timing.
The analysis should show the property boundary, uses and floor areas, utility inputs, applicable coefficients, emissions limit, calculated emissions, and supported adjustments. A reduction plan should compare the current compliance period with later periods and identify the equipment, design, electrical service, financing, and phasing needed for proposed measures. Keep a preliminary exposure estimate separate from the certified filing.
Decisions supported
What is the building’s current compliance position?
Which data, corrections, or documentation issues must be addressed?
What operational or capital measures merit development?
How should the owner sequence actions around compliance periods and planned work?
Typical scope
The final scope follows the property, transaction, program, client requirements, and information available. Typical elements include:
Process
Confirm the property or project, intended use, reliance parties, schedule, available information, and required deliverable.
Review the documents, identify gaps, and coordinate the people and access needed to complete the scope.
Perform the observations, analysis, interviews, and specialist coordination called for by the assignment.
Separate material findings from background information and state the basis, limitations, open items, and follow-up clearly.
Common assignments
Organization of building data, documentation, and required professional work.
Prioritization of potential emissions-reduction measures alongside planned system work.
A consistent framework for identifying higher-risk properties and next actions.
Frequently asked
No. Affordability and regulatory arrangements can change the applicable pathway or timing. Review the actual agreements and DOB criteria; do not infer exemption from the presence of affordable units.
Not necessarily. Future limits, equipment replacement, and changing building use may require planning well ahead of the next period. Annual reporting obligations can remain even when there are no excess emissions.
No. Utility dollars are not emissions. Use the applicable energy quantities, coefficients, property uses, and calculation rules. A cost-saving change can have a different emissions effect.
No. Eligibility, applicable emissions, documentation, and current DOB rules constrain deductions and alternatives. Review the specific instrument and building pathway before including it in a compliance strategy.
The applicable pathway establishes the professional requirements. Article 320 reporting generally involves a registered design professional. Confirm the responsible professional and filing scope before engagement.
A useful plan connects building and utility data, the applicable emissions framework, near-term compliance exposure, realistic reduction measures, implementation timing, and planned capital work.
Two buildings of similar size can have very different systems, uses, operations, utility profiles, constraints, and capital plans. Those differences affect which measures are practical.
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Tell us what you’re working on. Our team will help define the right scope and get a proposal moving.
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