Policy
KEYNOTE — Billions for Buildings: Transformational Federal Funding for Sustainable Projects
We have arrived at a pivotal moment as an industry—a moment when we have both tremendous willpower and resources to decarbonize and move toward a green economy. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act brought with it enormous potential, and we are now seeing that potential catalyzed into tangible and accessible financial products to support the clean energy transition.
Understanding VRF: Insights from Real-World Measured Performance
This session offers an opportunity for attendees to gain important insights into real-world performance of VRF systems and drivers that impact performance. Presenters will share results from two newly completed DOE-funded research studies focused on measured performance of VRF systems in cold climates. Come learn about the key findings, including VRF efficiency, refrigerant leakage, and the impacts of oversizing. Presenters will also discuss measurement methods and what the future of onboard measurement might look like.
IRA Incentives for Multifamily Decarbonization: What Works, What Doesn't, and What's Coming?
Join us for a session delving into the realities of using IRA incentives for multifamily decarbonization projects. A presentation of case studies will outline the most used IRA programs, ways to stack incentives, and methods for monetizing tax credits. Some programs have proven challenging to leverage, warranting an explanation of common roadblocks and potential solutions. The past two years have shown that accessing IRA programs requires expertise and resources that certain market actors lack.
NYS Electrification Pilot Programs: Paving the Way for Widespread Electrification
NYS and NYC have created substantial resources to stand up first-in-the-nation grant and subsidy programs aimed at deeply incentivizing beneficial electrification in retrofits of existing multifamily buildings. This session will highlight three unique strategies through case studies of committed and completed projects. This session will also delve into the design and specification of systems in electrification retrofit projects, as well as data collected throughout the program design, construction, and operation processes.
Policy Process Panel: Demystifying Codes & Standards Development
National model codes serve as an essential tool for policymakers to drive progress on climate goals. In this panel, representatives from the International Code Council (ICC), NYSERDA, and the New Buildings Institute (NBI) will discuss the codes and standards development process, and how it connects to policy and practice at the local and building scale.
Integrating Compliance with Compassion: Meeting Communities Where They Are
As we move towards a carbon neutral future, how do we ensure affordable housing isn't left behind? This session will help industry professionals connect the dots between the Climate Mobilization Act and affordable housing. Due to historical disinvestment, inflation, and a looming housing crisis, communities living in affordable housing often struggle financially. The NYC Accelerator offers free assistance to these buildings, helping them avoid penalties and promote preservation while promoting climate action.
GGRF: Utilizing New Funds to Catalyze Investments in Multifamily Decarbonization
Together, Climate United and Power Forward were awarded nearly $9 billion through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund. This session will dive into two of the awarded coalitions to explore how use of these federal dollars can transform capital markets and create meaningful change in the multifamily sector.
Counting the True Cost of Carbon to Make the Case for Deep Energy Retrofits
There is considerable debate about the relative benefits of electrification with heat pumps and envelope improvements. It has been suggested that Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs) are impractical & not cost effective. However, when an accurate Social Cost of Carbon is considered, DERs begin to look much more financially feasible. We apply a systems thinking lens to explore how carbon emissions are valued. We will present two multifamily DER examples to show the operational and embodied carbon reduction potential.
Keynote - Building Decarbonizing for All: Where Policy Meets Practice
Our community is better equipped to decarbonize our built environment than ever before, with data-driven knowledge, new technologies, proven solutions, and a growing consensus that climate justice is social justice. With greater access, broad community commitment, and resource availability, the path to cutting dangerous climate pollution from our built environment is clearer, better defined, and attainable.
NYCHA RAD-PACT: Generational Opportunities for Driving Change
NYCHA's Rental Assistance Demonstration Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (RAD-PACT) program leverages public-private partnerships to transition Section 9 Public Housing to Section 8 Project-Based Voucher subsidized housing. This restructuring is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to implement deep energy and capital needs improvements, while improving the health and quality of living for residents.
This session will explore the decision-making process throughout the design, development, and scoping of one of the PACT clusters consisting of 7 buildings (410 units) in the Bronx.