Queens Chamber of Commerce Hosts Panel on New Environmental Laws

QUEENS, NY, July 31, 2019—On Wednesday, July 31, over 100 property owners and building managers gathered to hear from a panel of top energy experts and industry leaders from the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Energy and Environmental Committee to hear about the impact of recently passed legislation that requiring buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The event featured a panel discussion on how building owners can comply with the law, producing both greenhouse gas reductions and economic returns, with little or no out-of-pocket expenses, and an address from Councilman Costa Constantinides, the lead sponsor of the bill and chair of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee.

“Since these bills passed, the Queens Chamber of Commerce has fielded a lot of calls from our members about what it will mean for their businesses and properties. We are prepared to lend our expertise to help property owners reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in a way that saves them money on operating expenses far into the future, helping businesses thrive and preserving our planet,” said Thomas J. Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s a way forward here where we invest in green energy, change how we power a city, change how we do business, and we can help preserve and make our city more resilient and keep it the great place it is to live and work,” said Councilmember Costa Constantinides in his opening remarks. “And let me get this out of the way: I don’t want your money…I want your carbon.”

Local Law 97, authored by Councilmember Constantinides, requires buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and 80 percent by 2050, or face substantial fines.

The panel featured Marshall Haimson, President of E-Capital Development and co-chair of the Queens Chamber’s Energy and Environmental Committee, Matthew McCue of Joulesmart Buildings, Adam Stolorow, partner at Sive, Paget & Riesel, and David Forman, VP, energy solutions at Ecosave Inc.

The Gold Standard Task Force will be made up of professionals from many phases of the energy and environmental sectors. The Task Force will identify best practices and help property owners understand what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and guide them towards implementing cost-effective solutions that will generate long-term savings on operating expenses, while complying with new emissions standards. The Task Force will help property owners access incentive programs that will offset costs. Many energy-saving upgrades require little or no out-of-pocket expenses. The Gold Standard Task Force will hold workshops, as well as individual consultations in the lead up to the implementation of these new standards.

“Under the leadership of Marshall Haimson, the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Energy and Environmental Committee has been educating and informing both its members and the general public on energy matters. We see this as a major opportunity for building owners to do well by doing good. That is why we’re launching the Gold Standard Task Force, which will help guide property owners through complying with this law, helping them to save money,” Grech added.