Collaboration to Reduce Carbon Emissions: It’s fun to save at the Y-M-C-A (of Greater New York)

Jie Li
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Jie Li
Proposer First Name
Jie
Proposer Email
jli@enpg.com
Proposer Last Name
Li
Proposer Job Title
Strategic Projects and Communications Manager
Proposed Session Description
While the Climate Mobilization Act has been the focus of much industry discussion, NYC Local Law 88 has not received much attention despite its potential as a key driver for carbon reduction. Under LL88, all buildings with 25,000+ sqft must upgrade facility-wide lighting and lighting controls by 2025. The YMCA is one of the first to proactively undertake this ambitious work, upgrading all 22 NYC branches, including offices, gyms, schools, hotels, and housing. This massive upgrade resulted in 2,500 tons of annual carbon reduction and nearly $700,000 in annual savings. This session provides an opportunity to learn the benefits and challenges of early compliance with LL88 and the difficulties encountered in planning and installation.
Why is this session important?
Local Law 88 compliance is currently overlooked by most industry practitioners and stakeholders despite the fact all NYC buildings greater than 25,000 sqft must comply, the fact that all buildings must complete their upgrades by 2025 (in just 3 years!), and the law has great potential for deep carbon savings. Additionally, building decision makers must be made aware of the difficulties of implementing lighting upgrades in tenant and 24-hour spaces and the benefits of early compliance as lighting codes become stricter. This session will play a role in bridging the gap between decision makers and this critical local law by showcasing the process to navigate early compliance and ensure deep carbon savings are achieved.

Comments

Elihu Dietz Wed, 05/04/2022 - 4:40 pm

Round 1 - MAYBE.The proposal claims that that LL88 is not well know, but doesn't present any evidence about the projected number of buildings that still need to comply. The technology itself is pretty well understood (at least the lighting upgrades that are described here) and since it's required already, the project doesn't seem to represent an innovative appoach, or highlight best practices that are usually ignored. Not sure what the audience would walk away with that would be new to them. 

Ben Sachs-Hamilton Mon, 05/09/2022 - 12:07 pm

Round 1 Discussion:Topic seems too basic. Doesn't offer new information to the field. Could be folded into #139 as an example.

Elihu Dietz Tue, 05/31/2022 - 11:11 am

Round 2 comments: Maybe. I spoke to Jie Li, Andrew Letwin, and Gianna Zapiti on 5/26. The concept is as descirbed. Andrew and Gianna led a lighting project upgrade at 22-23 buildings for YMCA, not initially driven by LL88 compliance but project team decided to make it comply with LL88. The sites represent a wide range of building typologies and use spaces. The crucial finding is that these projects can take a year or more to do correctly and bring the site up to the new lighting code. That means buildings need to get start this process now in order to comply with LL88/LL134.First the cons: 1) They mentioned that there's currently no penalty outlined by DOB for noncompliance. They have ignored the rule so far because of all the attention on LL97 implementation. So the premise that buiding owners need to act or face penalties feels thin. 2)  The session has a strong business development feel. Hire this firm now. 3) There doesn't seems to be anything new here in terms of a technology or strategy or even project management approach. 4) Building owners should do there retrofits but code and lighting standard upgrades should make these projects standard, albeit not at the speed of LL88 compliance. Pros: 1) Great representation in speakers, from the client, implementation firm, and consultants. 2) There's very little attention currently, I think, on the coming lighting upgrade requirements. 3) The session seems developed and organized already. 4) the technology is a proven way to reduce emissions or operating costs. 

Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to explain Local Law 88 and persuade building decision makers to pursue early compliance and achieve carbon savings now rather than by the 2025 deadline
Attendees will be better prepared to bring all needed stakeholders into the decision early-on and effectively manage the difficulties of overseeing multi-building portfolios and coordinate solutions
Attendees will be able to develop a process for implementing Local Law 88 compliance lighting upgrades in tenant and 24-hour spaces
Attendees will be able to select lighting technologies with better energy and carbon saving capabilities to harness the full carbon reduction potential of LL88 compliance
Has this session been presented before?
No

NYC 2022 Areas of Focus

Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2022

Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We are flexible and can accommodate various formats if desired.
Reviewer 1
Dietz, Elihu
Reviewer 2
Dietz, Elihu
Proposal #
134
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters