Support for Building an Energy Efficiency Center of Excellence in NYC: Letter

SUMMARY

The Environmental Law Committee and the Energy Committee sent a letter to First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan urging continued support for New York City’s Building Energy Exchange and building energy efficiency center of excellence. Following on the successful passage of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, including Local Law 97 of 2019 – ambitious and nation-leading legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which represent approximately two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions in the five boroughs – and recognizing that the work required to improve building energy efficiency is highly complex and information about best practices and available resources is diffuse, the Building Energy Exchange is an important resource in helping building owners and decision-makers achieve necessary building efficiency improvements by providing resources, putting on programming, and creating exhibits that have educated more than 27,000 people in how to make their buildings more energy efficient. Continued support for the Building Energy Exchange is essential to the success of Local Law 97 and the Climate Mobilization Act.

REPORT

Sent via E-Mail

April 10, 2020

Hon. Dean Fuleihan
First Deputy Mayor
City Hall
New York, New York 10007

Re: Statement of Support for NYC Building Energy Efficiency Center

Dear First Deputy Mayor Fuleihan,

On behalf of the Environmental Law and Energy Committees of the New York City Bar Association (City Bar), we are writing to express our strong support for a New York City building energy efficiency center of excellence.[1] We are encouraged by New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, including Local Law 97 of 2019 – ambitious and nation-leading legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which represent approximately two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions in the five boroughs. The City Bar was very supportive of the passage of the Climate Mobilization Act; we hosted a large full-day conference[2] during which experts from all corners of the building sector in New York City explored how to scale up building emissions reductions.

However, we recognize that this law will only take us so far in achieving the urgently-needed reductions in building carbon emissions. The work required to improve building energy efficiency is highly complex and, and information about best practices and available resources is diffuse. Without tailored, expert guidance, many buildings – both those subject to Local Law 97’s requirements and those that are not – will have trouble achieving the gains in efficiency that are needed to reduce New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. The Building Energy Exchange has been and continues to be a galvanizing force in helping building owners and decision-makers achieve necessary building efficiency improvements by providing resources, putting on programming and creating exhibits that have educated more than 27,000 people in how to make their buildings more energy efficient. The Building Energy Exchange space is a welcoming place that brings experts and building professionals together to share best practices and learn about the latest developments in building energy efficiency. BE-Ex fills a knowledge gap, catalyzing building energy improvements and marshaling the resources required to meet and exceed the requirements of Local Law 97 and other New York City requirements.

We ask that you continue to support Building Energy Exchange and its building energy efficiency center of excellence. BE-Ex plays an essential role in providing New York’s real estate, design and construction community with the training and resources they require to make New York City’s building stock the cleanest in the world. We fully support New York City in its promulgation of Local Law 97 and the Climate Mobilization Act and we know that the expert resources provided by Building Energy Exchange are essential to achieving the goals of these laws.

Respectfully,

Joseph Kevin Healy and Amy E. Turner
Co-Chairs, Environmental Law Committee

Rossalyn K. Quaye
Chair, Energy Committee

cc: Hon. Laura Anglin
Deputy Mayor for Operations

      Hon. Lisette Camilo
Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services