Looking Forward And Looking Back: The Path To Deep Emissions Reductions In New York City's Buildings

New York City has set ambitious goals to reduce our City’s greenhouse gas emissions 80% by the year 2050 (“80x50”) in order to help stave off the most devastating impacts of climate change. To accomplish this, deep emissions cuts will be needed across every sector of the City, including from buildings, which account for two-thirds of all greenhouse gas emissions generated in New York City. This program will celebrate and build upon the impressive work that has been accomplished to develop consensus around the New York City Council’s Intro. 1253-C, a first-of-its-kind piece of legislation passed as part of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act that will require New York City buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet strict emissions limits beginning in 2024. The process to reach consensus around how, when and to what extent emissions should be reduced required collaboration among many different stakeholders with concerns on various issues including emissions reduction impact, cost, timeline, and housing affordability. Significant challenges and opportunities to implement and further expand emissions reductions remain. The first half of the program explores those previous consensus-building efforts and issues that were left unresolved in the mandate legislation. It then looks forward at the significant work that remains to implement the energy retrofits that will be needed to achieve the emissions reductions required by Intro. 1253-C. In particular, panelists and conference participants look at market-based mechanisms for financing these retrofits (including PACE financing, also passed as part of the Climate Mobilization Act) and at potential ways to achieve broader emissions reductions without threatening housing affordability. Finally, conference participants have the opportunity to join breakout groups for a facilitated discussion to explore potential opportunities to implement the retrofits at a wide scale. The facilitated conversations take place under the guidance of Tim Mealey of the Meridian Institute. Keynote Speakers: John Lee, Deputy Director for Buildings and Energy Efficiency, New York City Mayor's Office of Sustainability Costa Constantinides, New York City Council Member John Mandyck, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Green Council Panel 1: Building Consensus on Building Emissions: Bringing the Right Voices to the Table Speakers: Cecil Corbin-Mark, WE Act for Environmental Justice Jared Rodriguez, LeFrak Organization Pete Sikora, New York Communities for Change Moderator: Alexis Saba, Sive, Paget & Riesel, P.C. Panel 2: How the Market Can Support Needed Building Retrofits Speakers: Donnel Baird, BlocPower Helen Chananie, Building Energy Exchange Lisa DeVito, Con Edison Fred Lee, New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC) Sadie McKeown, Community Preservation Corporation Moderator: Katie Ullman, Drift Energy Facilitator: Tim Mealey, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Meridian Institute Sponsoring Association Committee: Environmental Law Committee, J. Kevin Healy & Amy E. Turner, Co-chairs Co-sponsoring Association Committee: Energy Law Committee, Rossalyn K. Quaye, Chair International Environmental Law Committee, Michael H. Burger, Chair Co-sponsoring Organizations: NYC Climate Action Alliance Ida and Robert Gordon Family Foundation