June 5, 2024

Marking the 5^th anniversary of landmark Local Law 97, DCAS has released an update highlighting major progress made on building decarbonization, solar installation, and energy-efficient planning.

NEW YORK - Today, to mark both the fifth anniversary of Local Law 97, enacted in spring 2019, and World Environment Day 2024, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) released a comprehensive report titled ‘Powering Change: Over 15 Years of Decarbonizing NYC Government,’ detailing the significant progress the City has made to reduce government greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decarbonize municipal buildings.

As cited in the report, over the past decade, through targeted investments and efficiency measures made by the City, municipal buildings have seen an impressive 8% reduction in energy consumption. Further, due to the collaboration between DCAS and sister agencies, city government has reduced its GHG emissions from its overall operations, including emissions from buildings, fleet, wastewater treatment and solid waste by over 25%. This is compared to a 17% reduction in emissions across the entire city, highlighting that the city government’s efforts to reduce emissions continue to be not only aggressive, but achievable. Together, this work serves to aid New York City in its fight against climate change, helping to make New York City’s air cleaner and reduce excessive heat.

“As New York City marks the fifth anniversary of Local Law 97 and the incredible progress outlined in the 'Powering Change' report, we further reaffirm our commitment to a greener, healthier future for all New Yorkers,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “The significant strides we've taken in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency underscore New York City’s nationwide leadership in the fight against climate change. Together, we are not just meeting our targets; we are setting new standards for cities worldwide.”

“Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone in New York City's journey towards a sustainable future. The progress highlighted in our 'Powering Change' report is a testament to our unwavering commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across municipal buildings,” said DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “From solar installations to comprehensive energy retrofits, our initiatives are creating a cleaner, greener, and more resilient city for all New Yorkers. As we look forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to lead by example in the fight against climate change and to build a sustainable future for generations to come."

“I could not be prouder of the decarbonization projects we undertake, the City’s energy management community who drive these projects forward, and the positive impacts we have on NYC residents. This is what ‘Powering Change’ is all about,” said New York City’s Chief Decarbonization Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Energy Management Sana Barakat. “This significant progress is the result of the unwavering commitment and dedication of all the DCAS Energy Management staff and our partner agencies who work relentlessly every day to achieve our decarbonization goals. With a holistic management approach, strategic planning and implementation, and green workforce building and development, I am confident we will continue to get decarbonization done! “

“The history-making world-leading Climate Mobilization Act, whose cornerstone is Local Law 97, requires that city government decarbonize its own buildings and operations on a more aggressive timeline than the private sector – meaning walk the walk and not just talk the talk,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “Powering Change details the many ways that we are getting sustainability done - decarbonizing our own building stock, installing solar on our facilities, expanding battery storage, and electrifying our schools and fleet - sparking climate innovation, helping the state meet its climate goals, and investing in New York City's green economy.”

As a part of Powering Change, for the first time since 2019, DCAS has provided a comprehensive overview of the City’s progress and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency in public buildings. With an analysis of several key initiatives and significant investments undertaken over the past 10 years, the report lays out DCAS' aims to meet the ambitious targets set by Local Law 97 and achieve long-term sustainability and resilience. Above all, the City is taking a holistic approach to decarbonization, focusing as much on the people who get stuff done and the places that our work benefits, as the projects themselves.

Key highlights of the report include:

• Electrification and Solar Initiatives: NYC is committed to reducing dependence on fossil fuels by harnessing renewable energy sources and electrifying building systems. The city has installed over 24 MW of solar photovoltaic units on its facilities, with plans to reach 100 MW by 2030. In addition, NYC's $3.5 billion Leading the Charge initiative aims to electrify 100 existing schools over the next decade and construct new schools with all-electric systems. This initiative, along with new legislation, will also accelerate the phase-out of No. 4 heating oil, significantly reducing air pollution and GHG emissions within five years.
• Energy Retrofits: DCAS has focused on retrofitting building energy systems, especially “deep energy retrofits,” which aim to reduce energy consumption in city-owned buildings by at least 50%. Over the past decade, the City has invested nearly $1 billion in building energy-efficiency projects, resulting in an impressive annual energy reduction of approximately 8%. These energy retrofits not only contribute to significant energy savings but also align with NYC's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Efficient Project Delivery and Strategic Planning: Over the past 10 years, DCAS has enhanced operational efficiency and project delivery through expedited mechanisms and strategic planning. The Direct Install Lighting Program continues to facilitate fast and efficient energy-efficient lighting upgrades across multiple agencies, and adopting the design-build method has streamlined solar installations and energy efficiency projects. DCAS also continues to collaborate with various agencies to develop energy master plans prioritizing energy efficiency projects, and aligning capital planning with climate mitigation goals.

Passed by the City Council in April 2019, Local Law 97 was among one of the most ambitious mandates for reducing emissions in the nation, with the goal of reducing emissions produced by city government operations 50 percent by 2030, with an interim target of 40 percent by 2025. As a pivotal player in NYC's commitment to combat climate change, DCAS has led initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption, optimizing infrastructure, and embracing renewable energy sources.

This report's release by DCAS demonstrates its unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and advancing New York City's decarbonization goals. With ambitious targets, comprehensive strategies, a dedication to innovation, and a deep focus on growing the City’s green workforce, DCAS continues to lead the charge towards a sustainable, resilient future for all New Yorkers.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
• Managing 55 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.