LL97 Compliance Reporting: Takeaways from the DOB’s Recent Webinar

As the first reporting deadline for Local Law 97 (LL97) approaches, building owners must act quickly to ensure compliance. Many may have questions about deadlines, requirements, and the overall process. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) recently hosted a webinar, “Overview of LL97 Reporting Process,” to guide stakeholders through the process, emphasizing the importance of timely submissions and understanding the key steps involved. This landmark legislation requires significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings, with strict deadlines and penalties for non-compliance.  

By leveraging expertise and sustainable solutions, building owners can meet LL97 requirements, improve energy efficiency and costs, and contribute to a greener future. This webinar was one of the most recent and thorough resources released by the DOB, providing critical insights for stakeholders. To help simplify the process, we’ve summarized its most valuable takeaways below. 

Key Facts to Remember: 

• Reporting Deadlines: The initial deadline for submitting LL97 reports is May 1, 2025, with a grace period extending to June 30, 2025. Extension requests can be filed until June 30, with final reports due by August 29, 2025. Note: All building owners qualify for the extension.
  
  
• Penalties: Non-compliance can result in fines of $268 per metric ton of excess emissions. Check out the NYC Accelerator’s Building Energy Snapshot platform, which gives you a view of projected penalty amounts for your building.  
  
  
• Resources: You should also review the LL97 Covered Buildings PDF list here to see if your property is affected by LL97. 
  

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The Reporting Process:

Three major platforms are part of this process:

• DOB NOW – Pay filing fees and set up accounts using three designated email addresses (Owner, Owner Representative, and Service Provider).
• Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM) – Share property and utility data, which is transferred nightly to BEAM.
• Building Energy Analysis Manager (BEAM) – Where you submit your LL97 report for review by the DOB.
  
  

The DOB NOW and ESPM platforms must be accessed first, and in that order, in order to log into BEAM. When you are logged into DOB NOW, you will need to add three email addresses. The following three email addresses entered in DOB NOW will serve as the only email addresses you can use to view your building profile in BEAM:

• Owner
• Owner Representative
• Service Provider (RDP/RCxA)

Important Notes:

• If you have an LL97 filing report due in 2025, the Local Law 88 fee does not need to be submitted separately because it is included in the LL97 filing fee.
• The process is multi-day, as data transfers occur overnight. You cannot complete your reporting process in a single day; it will likely take a few days!
• DOB recommends using Google Chrome for optimal performance during filing.
• You must create an account if you don’t already have an NYC.ID. This can be done at nyc.gov/dobnow.
• Extension requests must be filed through DOB NOW by selecting “No” when asked if you’re filing a compliance report.

This image was brought to you by DOB*.

*Tax lots are identified by a unique number known as a borough-block-and-lot (BBL). There may be multiple buildings on a BBL. A Building Identification Number (BIN) is a unique identifier for each NYC building. LL97 compliance is required for each BIN on a BBL where the buildings together or separately meet the square foot threshold described previously.

Ensure LL97 Compliance with Catalyst Power

Building owners should act now to meet deadlines, explore energy-saving upgrades, and consider expert partnerships to ensure compliance and long-term sustainability. While LL97 presents challenges, it also offers opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

Catalyst Power provides at-risk building owners with easy solutions to meet LL97's primary goal of carbon reduction. Our on-site power generation solutions, which require no capital investment, directly lower your carbon footprint by supplying direct renewable energy or enhancing the fuel efficiency of your current boiler systems.

Since each building has unique needs, talk to one of our Energy Expects today to learn more about your LL97 exposure and how Catalyst Power can help reduce or eliminate it.