EN-POWER GROUP was featured in Habitat Magazine for its guidance on how co-op and condo boards can prepare for New York City’s Local Law 97 by developing long-term, strategic plans to reduce building carbon emissions.

Context: Carbon Deadlines Are Closer Than They Appear

Local Law 97, part of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, sets increasingly strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions for large buildings beginning in 2024, with additional caps in 2030 and beyond. The law targets the city’s highest-emitting buildings first, with financial penalties assessed for emissions that exceed allowable limits.

As city officials emphasized in the article, the intent of the law is not to generate fines, but to drive meaningful carbon reduction across the building stock.

EN-POWER GROUP’s Perspective

In the feature, Michael Scorrano, Founder and Managing Director of EN-POWER GROUP, explained that compliance cannot be achieved through a single upgrade or quick fix. Instead, most buildings will need a combination of operational improvements and capital investments implemented over time.

Scorrano emphasized that understanding a building’s current emissions profile is the first critical step. While boards may attempt to calculate emissions internally, this process typically relies on the same benchmarking data submitted under Local Laws 84 and 133 using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Engaging experienced professionals can help ensure accuracy and proper prioritization.

Building a Practical Carbon Reduction Strategy

Once a baseline is established, EN-POWER GROUP advises boards to develop a multi-year strategy tailored to their building’s systems, condition, and financial constraints.

As discussed in the article, typical carbon-reduction measures may include:

  • Heating system upgrades

  • Ventilation and air-conditioning improvements

  • Boiler replacements

  • Absorption chiller replacement

  • Cogeneration or combined heat and power systems

The appropriate mix of projects varies from building to building, reinforcing the importance of early planning rather than last-minute reaction.

Financing and Flexibility Under the Law

The article also outlines cost-management provisions built into the Climate Mobilization Act. These include potential emissions-limit adjustments for buildings experiencing financial hardship and access to Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for qualifying projects.

By aligning carbon reduction initiatives with planned capital improvements, boards can reduce financial strain while making steady progress toward compliance.

Why This Matters for Co-op and Condo Boards

This feature reinforces a central message of Local Law 97: proactive planning is essential. Buildings that begin evaluating emissions, identifying upgrade pathways, and sequencing improvements early are better positioned to manage costs, avoid penalties, and capture energy savings sooner.

As Scorrano notes in the article, many carbon-reduction measures overlap with capital improvements buildings would need to make regardless. Starting early allows boards to act strategically rather than under pressure.

Media Attribution

This topic was originally featured in Habitat Magazine in the September 2019 issue.
[Read the full article on Habitat Magazine →]

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