Sustainable Building Fair helps owners comply with new law

September 22, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Brooklyn Borough Hall. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A Sustainable Building Resource Fair at Borough Hall on Thursday attracted 18 organizations and nearly 30 contractors.

Experts provided advice and resources on heat pumps, solar, weatherization, HVAC, lighting, electric, renewable energy and waste management; as well as financial incentives, including federal tax incentives, and financing to help building owners do the work.

The Resource Fair was given in the wake of the city’s new Local Law 97, mandating residential buildings of more than 25,000 square feet to lower their carbon emissions. It connected building owners and managers to experts and contractors that can carry out the retrofits and upgrades that will make buildings greener and compliant with the new law.

The fair was organized by Borough President Antonio Reynoso Council, Member Lincoln Restler, the Association for Energy Affordability and Better Buildings New York.

“Local Law 97 is the single most consequential piece of legislation in New York City in the last decade, and it has the potential to successfully drive down emissions from our city’s largest polluter: big buildings,” said Restler. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to help big building owners through this transition by connecting them to expert resources and showcasing how New York City can be a model for tackling the climate crisis.”

“Local Law 97 is crucial legislation and an example of the types of measures necessary to address the climate crisis,” said Reynoso. “Here in Brooklyn, local leadership is ensuring that Local Law 97 is implemented and that building owners have the knowledge and resources needed for implementation … If local leaders take proactive steps to guide building owners through this transition period, we can continue to make strides toward our goal of making New York City carbon neutral by 2050.”

“Connecting building owners with energy experts and contractors is a great step towards retrofitting and decarbonizing Brooklyn buildings to meet our city and state climate goals,” said Peter Hoyle, executive director of the Association for Energy Affordability.

“As manager of the NYSERDA-funded Brooklyn Energy Hub, AEA plans to provide many more clean energy educational and engagement events,” he added. NYSERDA refers to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.