LL88 & Lighting Upgrade Projects
The Local Law 88 (“LL88”) deadline of June 30, 2025, has come and gone. Well… not exactly. While many buildings met the deadline by submitting the required filings, thousands have not — and that is okay.
In mid-June, the Department of Buildings (“DOB”) announced alternate compliance deadlines for LL88. If your building is required to comply with Local Law 97 (“LL97”) this year, you can request an LL88 extension until August 29, 2025, which would move your new due date to December 31, 2025. If your building is not required to comply with LL97 this year, you were allowed to submit a compliance plan by June 30 to receive additional time.
Unfortunately, if your building is not due for LL97 this year and did not submit a compliance plan, it will be subject to penalties this year and will still need to comply by next year.
As a reminder, LL88 requires the following for buildings at least 25,000 square feet:
1. Upgrade controls and lighting to be in accordance with lighting power allowances permitted by NYC building code. The penalty for failure to submit the lighting upgrade report is $1,500 annually.
2. Install electrical submeters for tenant spaces over 5,000 square feet. The penalty for failed compliance is $1,500 + $500 per tenant space annually.
If you have not yet taken action toward LL88 compliance, your first step is to schedule a lighting audit with a company experienced in LL88 requirements. The audit report will outline the upgrades needed for compliance. Once the work is complete, the LL88 vendor will file on your behalf.
It is important to understand that the job is not finished after the audit. Required upgrades must be implemented — either by in-house property staff or through third-party contractors.
At Aurora Energy Advisors, we are managing LL88 compliance for hundreds of properties. We can source affordable lighting and sensor upgrade quotes for the mandatory work, track progress, and simplify the process tremendously. If you are already working with us and have received your audit report, you should also have a proposal outlining the mandatory upgrades. Please review it and reach out with any questions.
You may also have received a proposal for optional upgrades. In many cases, these offer a strong return on investment (ROI). Combining mandatory and optional work can maximize cost efficiency and minimize disruptions — a true “two birds with one stone” opportunity. Please feel free to reach out to us to assess savings opportunities and project viability.
In what is arguably the most complex and multifaceted year in the history of NYC’s energy laws, the DOB has shown flexibility by offering extended LL88 compliance deadlines. Take advantage of this generous window — even extended deadlines have a way of sneaking up.
Market Analysis
Natural Gas
The NYMEX followed the shape of a roller coaster in June, spiking mid-month then receding back to level it started. The intensifying conflict in the Middle East spooked the market, causing the prompt month to rise from $3.50 to $4.10 per MMBtu within just a week’s time, despite healthy storage reports. The market later looked past this and settled back around $3.30 by month end amid expectations for cooling temperatures. The June settlement (for the month of July) closed at $3.26.
Electricity
NYISO Zone J picked up where it left off in May in the $0.03-0.04 per kWh range. However, by the last week of June, a heat wave pummeled the Eastern and Central U.S., especially NYC which experienced at least 98 degree temperatures for three consecutive days. The extreme cooling demand caused the NYISO to balloon but declined back to the mid-single digits once the weather improved. This dynamic is typical for summer months, as we saw the same situation play out several times last year in what was one of the hottest seasons in a decade.
Crude Oil
Crude oil followed a similar pattern as the natural gas commodity, peaking mid-month then retreating. The conflict in the Middle East drove traders to speculate on constrained supply forecasts, but those concerns were quelled following the ceasefire. Price per barrel rose as high as $75 but ended the month at $65.
💡 Mitchell’s Tip: Reduce consumption through energy efficiency projects.
