NYC lawmakers propose rollback of climate change law due to high costs for constituents

New York City lawmakers are proposing legislation that would roll back strict requirements under a new climate change law for buildings covering 800,000 co-op and condo apartments, citing costs that could have their homeowning tenant seeing red1. The Climate Mobilization Emissions Law of 2019, also known as Local Law 97, sets limits on the greenhouse gas emissions of buildings starting next year to help New York City reach the goal of a 40 percent reduction by the year 2030 and 80 percent reduction in citywide emissions by calendar year 20501. The law requires buildings with more than 25,000 square feet to replace their old heating oil and natural gas boilers and switch to electric heat so as to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions1. The city law covers existing buildings, which account for two-thirds or most of the carbon emissions in the city1.

The proposed easing of the supposedly Green regulations comes just days after New York’s major business groups launched a $1 million campaign to push back against the law, which they say will cost billions of dollars and lead to job losses1. The lawmakers who are pushing for the rollback argue that the law will disproportionately affect low-income and middle-class New Yorkers, who will bear the brunt of the costs1. They also argue that the law will lead to the displacement of residents and the closure of small businesses1.

Key facts:

• New York City lawmakers are proposing legislation that would roll back strict requirements under a new climate change law for buildings covering 800,000 co-op and condo apartments, citing costs that could have their homeowning tenant seeing red1.
• The Climate Mobilization Emissions Law of 2019, also known as Local Law 97, sets limits on the greenhouse gas emissions of buildings starting next year to help New York City reach the goal of a 40 percent reduction by the year 2030 and 80 percent reduction in citywide emissions by calendar year 20501.
• The law requires buildings with more than 25,000 square feet to replace their old heating oil and natural gas boilers and switch to electric heat so as to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions1.
• The lawmakers who are pushing for the rollback argue that the law will disproportionately affect low-income and middle-class New Yorkers, who will bear the brunt of the costs1.
• They also argue that the law will lead to the displacement of residents and the closure of small businesses1.