Dive Brief: - New York City has launched a free, concierge-style service to help building operators comply with Local Law 97, NYC Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung announced Tuesday. - The tool is intended to give building operators a resource to plan retrofits, map out Local Law 97 compliance and estimate penalties and what emissions reductions are needed to meet targets, according to a release by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. The accelerator service, called Momentum, is available to help operators modernize their buildings, reduce climate impact and improve occupant quality of life, the MOCEJ says. - “In the first reporting year for Local Law 97, well over 90 percent of buildings submitted compliance reports,” NYC Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said in a statement. “This high level of compliance reflects the City’s efforts to provide support.” Dive Insight: Buildings are responsible for nearly 70% of New York City’s emissions, MOCEJ said in its release. New York City enforces building energy standards through Local Law 97, which requires owners to reduce their building emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 or face fines. Penalties can reach up to $268 for every ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted above an annual allowance. The ordinance applies to buildings over 25,000 gross square feet; two or more buildings on the same tax lot that together exceed 50,000 square feet; or two or more condominium buildings governed by the same board that together exceed 50,000 square feet. Owners of covered buildings must submit an annual energy and water use report or request a 120-day extension by June 30. Reporting and compliance deadlines depend on property type and size. An analysis by the Urban Green Council also found a roughly 90% compliance rate among large buildings at the end of 2024.