Local Law 84 NYC | Local Law 84 Benchmarking

Local Law 84 (LL84), also known as the NYC Benchmarking Law, requires building owners to report annual energy and water consumption for covered buildings in New York City. This data is then used to drive energy efficiency initiatives and improve building performance across the city.

LL84 aims to increase transparency around building energy usage, allowing building owners, tenants, and the public to better understand and compare energy performance across properties. By making this information accessible, LL84 encourages owners to improve energy efficiency, invest in upgrades, and support the city's broader greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Covered Buildings: LL84 applies to property owners with buildings larger than 25,000 square feet or multiple structures with a combined square footage exceeding 100,000.

What are the main factors driving the implementation of LL84?

1. Energy Efficiency

By collecting and analyzing Benchmarking data, NYC identifies opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and improve building energy efficiency on a city-wide scale.

2. Economic Growth

Encouraging energy upgrades supports the growth of green industries and creates jobs in sustainable building practices.

3. Tenant Well-Being

Benchmarking helps promote healthier, safer, and more affordable living and working environments for tenants throughout the city.

To comply with LL84, building owners must complete the following steps annually:

1. Determine if Your Building Is Subject to LL84

Confirm whether your building meets the size threshold for benchmarking under Local Law 84. The list of buildings has also been added to the DOB website.

2. Collect Energy Consumption Data

Track energy usage from all major energy utilities servicing your building.

3. Enter Data into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

Input energy usage data into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a secure online tool for managing and benchmarking energy performance.

4. Submit Benchmarking Report to the City

Submit your completed benchmarking report to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) by the annual reporting deadline of May 1st.

5. Post Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label

Display your Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label in a visible location accessible to tenants and visitors.

Deadlines and Penalties in the Benchmarking Law

If a building in NYC is covered by the Benchmarking Law, the report deadline is May 1st. There is a penalty of $500 for missing the deadline, which increases every three months if no benchmarking report has been submitted.

IMPORTANT DATES	DESCRIPTION	TOTAL PENALTY IF MISSED
May 1st	1st Deadline	$500
August 1st	2nd Deadline	$1,000
November 1st	3rd Deadline	$1,500
February 1st	4th Deadline (Last Chance)	$2,000

Building owners can challenge deadlines if they believe there was a mistake. The NYC Department of Buildings provides a Benchmarking Violation Challenge Form, which must be filled and submitted within 30 days.

Energy Grades For Buildings Under The Benchmarking Law

Local Law 33 of 2018 introduced energy grades for buildings covered by the Benchmarking Law, which are calculated from the submitted data. Energy data is submitted through the Portfolio Manager for each building, and a corresponding Energy Star Rating is calculated. The building energy grade is determined from this rating:

ENERGY GRADE	ENERGY STAR RATING
A	85 Or Higher
B	70 Or Higher, Below 85
C	55 Or Higher, Below 70
D	Below 55
F	Benchmarking Data Wast Not Submitted
N	The Building Is Exempt From The Benchmarking Law, Or Not Covered By The Energy Star Rating System.

Improving energy grades is in the best interest of building owners, since it also improves corporate image. In the case of apartments and commercial spaces, a high energy grade provides a marketing advantage compared with less efficient buildings. The prospect of spending less on gas and electricity can help convince tenants to sign a lease.

Are there any fines for non-compliance with LL84?

Building owners in New York City who do not comply with LL84 can face significant penalties and fines. The amount depends on how long the building remains out of compliance and whether there have been past violations.

If a benchmarking report is not submitted by the May 1st deadline, owners may receive a violation notice and a $500 fine for each quarter the report is late, up to a maximum of $2,000 per year. Additionally, failing to properly display the Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label can result in an additional fine of $1,250.

Local Law 84 (LL84) mandates annual benchmarking of energy and water consumption for specific buildings in New York City, aiming to promote transparency and enhance energy efficiency. Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties and contribute to a more sustainable urban environment. At NY Engineers, we specialize in comprehensive benchmarking solutions to ensure your building meets LL84 requirements efficiently.

Why Choose NY Engineers?

Expert Benchmarking Services: Our certified engineers are proficient in utilizing the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool, ensuring accurate and compliant reporting of your building's energy and water usage.
Comprehensive Data Management: We assist in collecting and managing whole-building energy data, including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and water consumption, as required by LL84.
Timely Compliance: We ensure that your benchmarking reports are submitted before the annual May 1st deadline, helping you avoid potential fines of $500 per violation period, up to $2,000 per year.
Data Verification and Accuracy: Our team meticulously verifies all data entries to prevent inaccuracies that could lead to non-compliance notices or penalties.
Experience: We have managed the LL84 portfolio of more than 50+ buildings and saved 100k for them in penalties.

Partner with NY Engineers to navigate LL84 compliance seamlessly and enhance your building's performance. Contact us today to ensure your property meets New York City's benchmarking requirements and operates at peak efficiency.

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