It’s a Program
NYC Clean Heat was created by the City of New York in 2012 to encourage and assist buildings in converting to the cleanest available fuels and alternative energy options.
As of the fall of 2015, NYC Clean Heat has transitioned into the NYC Retrofit Accelerator, an expanded program that is New York City’s new one-stop resource to assist building owners and operators invest in a broad range of energy and water efficiency upgrades. The NYC Retrofit Accelerator is a key component of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to reduce New York City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and further the City’s commitment to improving local air quality.
It’s the law
In April of 2011, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued regulations requiring buildings to convert from No. 6 and No. 4 heavy heating oils to cleaner fuels.
The deadline for the phase out of all No. 6 heating oil was June 30th, 2015. To date, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection has achieved 99.8% compliance with the regulation. The deadline for the phase out of all No. 4 heating oil is January 1st, 2030.
It Saves Lives
By the end of the program, NYC Clean Heat resulted in nearly 6,000 heating oil conversions and reduced emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from buildings by over 65 percent. Today, New York City’s air is cleaner than it has been in 50 years. This is preventing hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency room visits and hospitalizations from lung and cardiovascular diseases annually.
Next Steps
The NYC Retrofit Accelerator will continue NYC Clean Heat’s mission to improve local air quality and assist building owners and operators convert from No. 4 oil to a cleaner fuel. This will be part of the NYC Retrofit Accelerator’s expanded services to provide assistance for a wide range of energy and water upgrades.
