De Blasio signs new law to slash building emissions

Climate legislation introduced by Councilmember Costa Constantinides was signed into law last week. Photo via City Council Photography

By Rachel Vick

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a package of environmentally friendly legislation Nov. 17, including a bill introduced by Councilmember Costa Constantinides to expand the types of buildings subject to emission-slashing retrofits.

Residential buildings where less than 35 percent of the units are rent regulated will need to meet the emissions caps outlined in the 2019 Climate Mobilization Act. The measure seeks to limit harmful emissions from buildings via energy-efficient infrastructure

“Fighting climate change and increasing access to safe and stable housing are crucial to making New York City an equitable place to live for generations to come,” de Blasio said. “These bills will chart a path forward for a fair and sustainable recovery.”

Imposing the regulations on about 1,000 additional buildings will lead to a 100,000-ton carbon reduction — the same effect as taking about 21,000 cars off the road, Constantinides said.

Other pieces of legislation introduced by Constantinides will provide a two-year extension for property owners to comply with the rules and will require the city to report on outreach and education efforts, as well as the extent to which buildings meet the new standards.

"New York City is on the frontline of climate change, which is why we passed the Climate Mobilization Act last year in spite of an absent federal government,” Constantinides said. “Climate Change is not taking a break, so neither will we.”