New York City Strengthens Building Energy Efficiency Standards

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Feb. 27 announced the passage of a new energy code that establishes additional energy efficiency requirements that are specific to the city and its unique urban environment. The code is part of the city’s Green New Deal, a bold plan announced last April to combat climate change. The plan involves $14 billion in investments, legislation and concrete action at the city level that will ensure a nearly 30 percent additional reduction in emissions by 2030.

The code ensures that new or substantially renovated buildings will be more sustainable and energy efficient. Among the major requirements, the 2020 code mandates that construction projects improve the building thermal envelope with better performing walls and windows, meet tougher energy efficiency requirements for heating and cooling systems, and require additional lighting controls. The code requires one- and two-family homes to have the infrastructure for the future installation of electric vehicle chargers.

Last year, the city passed the Climate Mobilization Act, which set an ambitious goal of requiring all buildings over 25,000 square feet to cut emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.

The energy code will go into effect on May 12.