Queens buildings receive low scores on new database, but so did almost everyone else
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A new map from the Department of Buildings shows buildings’ energy grades in the borough. Map via DOB
By Rachel Vick
The New York City Department of Buildings has released a new database to keep tabs on progress in slashing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency from buildings across the five boroughs.
The Sustainability Compliance Map depicts the different buildings across the borough and their energy use scores as part of the city’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
“We must meet our aggressive climate change goals, and these new digital tools put information in the hands of the public and building owners to make that a reality,” said Buildings Commissioner Melanie La Rocca. “We’re pleased to bring greater transparency to how our Green New Deal tackles the city’s largest source of emissions, our buildings.”
Under Local Law 33, buildings 25,000 square feet or larger are required to post letter grades and numbered scores that are issued based on energy efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The scores have to be on display in the lobby, like restaurant cleanliness grades. The new virtual map gives users a color-coded visual of where each building stands in the rankings.
The most common scores city-wide were C and D, according to the DOB, but the public nature of the grades is not intended to shame building owners. Instead, it's to encourage them to increase efficiency and learn from buildings in their portfolios that have scored higher than others.
JFK Airport received a D, as did portions of Edgemere Houses, with a low score of 20. Many NYCHA complexes in Queens have not submitted their benchmark information. Some Queens buildings’ scores dropped into the single digits, with a long road ahead to efficiency.
Buildings have until June 1 to get the DOB their data for the past year, or they will automatically receive an F. New letter grades will be issued in October.
The map includes the buildings subject to efficiency retrofits mandated by a bill introduced by former Councilmember Costa Constantinides — who also worked to pass the energy ratings requirement — but emissions performance and goals have not yet been added. Each will be required to file a report with the DOB by May 1, 2025 with their annual greenhouse gas emissions signed off on by a registered design professional.
By 2030, emissions from the buildings outlined by the legislation must be reduced by 40 percent, and down 80 percent by 2050.
“Understanding where [each building] stands compared to others is easier once you draw them a map,” Constantinides said. “It can be overwhelming but understanding on building by building basis and with DOB helping them get to where they need to be — it's aggressive but it’s achievable.”
“We want their carbon, not their money,” he added. “It’s not about collecting fines it’s about reducing carbon in our city, our country, our world.”
