One Bryant Park, also known as the Bank of America Tower, in Manhattan faces an estimated $2.4 million in annual fines when New York City’s York’s Local Law 97 goes into effect.
The potential hefty levy on this property is ironic given that it was certified LEED Platinum after it opened in 2010. An in-depth article at Bloomberg.com about this predicament illustrates the complexities owners face in addressing the law, which imposes carbon caps that are backed up by fines for non-compliance.
Passed in 2019, the law is a sweeping measure establishing emissions limits for almost 50,000 of the city’s largest buildings. The owners of an estimated 20% of these office buildings, hotels, and multifamily properties will likely face fines in 2024 when the law goes into effect. Many more buildings would face fines in 2030, when the caps will be lowered by 40%.
Part of the issue for the Bank of America Tower is a density of employees with heavy computer usage—at least on some floors—that use a lot of electricity. The owner says Local Law 97 is deeply flawed because it doesn’t distinguish between different densities and usages of properties and points out that the terms of the lease with the bank preclude him from limiting their power usage.
The Bank of America Tower had some impressive green features when it was built: a natural gas-fueled cogeneration plant for electricity that uses heat from the combustion process for additional power to operate HVAC systems, a cooling system that uses ice made overnight when power demand is lower, and a green roof. Today, when the ultimate goal is carbon neutrality, though, these features do not create the desired impact.
The details of the law are still being worked out, though, and that may bode well for the owner. There is support from some city officials to make allowances for buildings such as the Bank of America Tower that time their energy use.
Related Stories
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
High-rise Construction | May 18, 2018
The 100 tallest buildings ever conventionally demolished
The list comes from a recent CTBUH study.
High-rise Construction | May 14, 2018
Register before it’s too late: 2018 Tall + Urban Innovation Conference
The conference explores and celebrates the very best in innovative tall buildings, urban spaces, building technologies, and construction practices from around the world.
Reconstruction & Renovation | May 8, 2018
Willis Tower elevators receive upgrade as part of $500 million update
Otis will handle the upgrades.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 24, 2018
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture designs 47-story condo tower in Miami
The tower will be located in Miami’s South Brickell neighborhood.
High-rise Construction | Apr 17, 2018
Developers reveal plans for 1,422-foot-tall skyscraper in Chicago
The tower would be the second tallest in the city.
Mixed-Use | Apr 5, 2018
SOM unveils design for 54-story mixed-use tower in Hangzhou, China
The tower will rise 944 feet.
Wood | Feb 15, 2018
Japanese company announces plans for the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper
The planned tower would rise 350 meters (1148 feet).
High-rise Construction | Feb 14, 2018
BIG and Carlo Ratti Associati-designed Singapore skyscraper has open-air ‘oases’ at multiple levels
The new skyscraper will include “the office of the future.”
High-rise Construction | Dec 20, 2017
Another record year for high-rise construction
More than 140 skyscrapers were completed across the globe this year, including 15 supertall towers.
