Uildings Pollution News Today

New York joined eight other states in an agreement to ensure heat pumps make up 65 percent of residential heating and cooling equipment sales by 2030.

The final rules for Local Law 97 give property owners until 2026 to avoid penalties, as long as they demonstrate "good faith efforts" to decarbonize their buildings.

Local Law 97 is one of the most ambitious—and divisive—climate measures enacted in any U.S. city. While some co-op boards see the mandate as an opportunity to make sustainable upgrades to their buildings, others say it will drain their financial reserves.

As wind and solar renewable projects across the state hit hurdles, environmental advocates say investing in an underground network of heat pumps is the Big Apple's best bet at reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. 

"About 70 percent of New York City’s climate-heating pollution comes from energy use in buildings, with the majority of that pollution coming from large buildings covered by Local Law 97."

City councilmembers introduced new legislation Thursday to change the city's fire code and allow homeowners more space on their roofs to install solar panels. 

Local Law 97 promises to reduce carbon emissions and create a more energy efficient city. But environmentalists warn that the current rules create a loophole for landlords, especially those that own office properties, to simply buy their way out of complying.