October 2014
Past Issues | Advertise

"Built to Last" and the Latest DHS and OEM Updates

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Here’s a round-up of work done since September by some of our key committees. Remember, committee membership is open at all times and you will get more from your membership if you get involved. If you are interested in joining any of the committees below, please contact Director Legislative Affairs Daniel Avery at 212-239-3662 or daniel@bomany.com. You can also attend one of the meetings as listed in the BOMAfacts Calendar.

 Preparedness Committee

On a separate issue, DHS was also asked to prepare an update for the Committee on cyber security.

OEM: Ira Tannenbaum of OEM reported his agency is working with other city agencies to enhance safety and preparedness city-wide. As an FYI, OEM’s new commissioner, Joel Esposito, started this summer and brings 40 years of NYPD experience, including as second-in-command, to his new role.

Information Dissemination: As you are aware, BOMA/NY distributes emergency and related information to members on a need-to-know basis. To ensure that the right people are receiving such information, Co-Chair Neil Spadaro will be the point person for the Preparedness Committee for receiving and then determining how to use and share such information most effectively. Also in the works are plans to conduct a regular conference call with BOMA associations from across the Middle Atlantic Conference region to coordinate on emergency, security and preparedness issues.

Energy & Sustainability

BOMANY’s Director of Legislative Affairs Daniel Avery reported that the mayor’s office’s plan, known as One City: Built to Last, was issued Sept. 21 to coincide with the UN’s Climate Summit. It calls for a 30 percent reduction of emissions below the 2005 level, by 2025, and a Task Force to develop ways and establish milestones to reduce emissions by 80 percent below the 2005 level by 2050.

Since the 30 percent reduction goal includes progress that has been made to date—a 19 percent reduction so far—the actual reduction to be accomplished by 2025 is 11 percent. To reach that goal, the plan foresees cuts primarily from extensive energy efficiency upgrades to publicly-owned buildings, the use of renewable energy at such buildings, incentive-based voluntary retrofits in buildings owned by the private sector and new mandates yet to be determined.

The plan also calls for reductions in energy use to be made by strengthening the Energy Code.