New York City launches accelerator program for energy efficiency retrofits

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio recently unveiled a program to assist private landlords to retrofit their buildings for energy efficiency, clean energy, and water conservation. 

The program’s aim is to retrofit 1,000 buildings a year and retrofit all city-owned buildings by 2025. The “retrofit accelerator” is a free one-stop shop of experts who will advise building owners on conservation and clean energy options and assist with permits, financing, and incentives to upgrade systems.

The city said the efforts would save $350 million a year in utility costs for business owners. The Building Energy Exchange, a nonprofit group, will spearhead the accelerator program.

Real estate industry groups and environmental groups support the program and other efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York. The city’s carbon challenge seeks to have building owners reduce their emissions by 30%.