Overview
Overview
Critical to the DRI’s and NYF’s goal of invigorating and revitalizing downtowns across the State is supporting investments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make communities more resilient to future climate change impacts. With the assistance of NYSERDA, DRI and NYF contribute to this by supporting building decarbonization, which is the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions through the reduction of a building’s energy demand followed by conversion of fossil-fuel based systems to electric systems. Decarbonization can be grouped into three pillars: energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy. Often, decarbonization includes elements from each pillar, enabling buildings to operate more sustainably and resiliently.
Many revitalization projects supported by DRI and NYF include new construction or building upgrades, which is a prime opportunity to decarbonize commercial and residential buildings. Buildings account for 32% of New York’s greenhouse gas emissions, and to meet the goals set forth in the New York Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), mitigating the emissions of buildings is critical. In addition to helping New York meets is climate goals, building decarbonization promotes healthier and safer indoor environment, reduced utility bills, improved resiliency, and ultimately reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The information here will provide more information about the decarbonization requirements for DRI and NYF and a variety of resources for project sponsors who are pursuing decarbonized buildings.
Decarbonization Requirements
Decarbonization Requirements
The following types of building projects will be required to meet the DRI/NYF decarbonization standards by following a compliance pathway:
- New construction projects ≥ 5,000 square feet
- Building addition projects ≥ 5,000 square feet
- Substantial renovation projects ≥ 5,000 SF and where two or more of the following conditions are met:
- Removal and/or replacement of 50% or more of the area of interior wall-covering material of the building thermal envelope
- Removal and/or replacement of 50% or more of the area of the exterior wall-covering material of the building thermal envelope, including doors, windows, and the roof
- Replacement of equipment that makes up 50% or more of the total input capacity of the space heating or cooling equipment serving the building
- Replacement of equipment making up 50% or more of the total input capacity of all the water heating equipment serving the building
- Replacement of 50% or more of the interior and exterior lighting that is powered from the building
Compliance Pathways
Compliance Pathways
There are three options for compliance pathways. If project sponsors are required to meet the decarbonization standards, they have three options to demonstrate compliance.
- Meet the New York State Stretch Energy Code – Prescriptive or Performance Path
- Obtain an Energy Star score of 90 or better using EPA’s Target Finder Calculator
- Obtain a certification from an approved third-party organization:
- Energy Star Certification
- LEED
- Green Globes
- BREEAM
- Passive House Institute US
- WELL
- Fitwel
- Living Building Challenge
- Enterprise Green Communities
- SITES
- National Green Building Standard
Resources
Resources
To learn more about each compliance pathway and how to meet it, check out our webinars: