Reducing methane emissions

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing methane emissions

This local law requires that the Department of Environmental Protection to survey leaks within city-owned buildings once every five years and repair the leaks. It requires an annual report on the methane leaks in city-owned buildings. The report must include the repairs made and an estimate of the methane emissions reduced. At least once in every five years, the department is required to transmit to each gas corporation, recommendations regarding repairs and other work undertaken by such corporation to address methane leaks, including but not limited to prioritization of such repairs. At the same time, the department shall also transmit a copy of such recommendations to the mayor and the speaker of the council. Responses to the recommendations shall also be transmitted to the Mayor and the Speaker. This local law also requires every building in the city to be surveyed for methane leaks including every dwelling unit upon vacancy.