Local Law 97: Year One Results with NYC DOB

Chris Halfnight

Chief Executive Officer

Chris is the CEO of Urban Green Council, where he leads the organization’s work to advance energy efficiency and building decarbonization in New York City, New York State and beyond. Before becoming CEO, he spent a decade at Urban Green, most recently as Senior Director of Research and Policy, directing data analysis, clean tech research, policy development, and advocacy at the city and state levels. Chris has served on many advisory bodies, including as a mayoral appointee to NYC’s 26-member Sustainability Advisory Board and Mayor Mamdani’s transition committee on climate. Earlier in his career, he practiced law at Shearman & Sterling LLP and worked on clean energy policy at the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from McGill University and a Master of Environmental Management, with a specialization in energy systems, from the Yale School of the Environment.

Laura Popa

Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability, NYC Department of Buildings

Laura joined the DOB after more than 22 years of public service as a legal and policy advisor at the New York City Council and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. During her career in public service, she oversaw the development of legislation and policy at the City Council and directed the Council’s efforts to enact landmark legislation that supports citywide greenhouse gas emissions limits, the institutionalization of long-term sustainability and resiliency planning, and the expansion of clean and renewable energy. She also served on numerous advisory boards and task forces related to sustainability and was a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity.

As the Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability at NYC DOB, Laura leads the Bureau of Sustainability’s efforts to help New York City achieve emissions reductions, energy efficiency, and the just transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy systems. Laura works to implement sustainability laws, including Local Law 97. Prior, Laura oversaw policy development at the New York City Council, where she directed the Council’s efforts to enact legislation for citywide emissions limits, the institutionalization of long-term sustainability and resiliency planning, and environmental justice.

Emily Hoffman

Director of Building Energy & Emissions Performance

Emily Hoffman is the Director of the Office of Building Energy and Emissions Performance (OBEEP) at the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB). She leads the implementation of Local Law 97 reporting and oversees the enforcement of both legacy sustainability laws and the newly established OBEEP audit team responsible for ensuring compliance with LL97. Before taking on this role, Emily spent 10 years leading the department’s Energy Code team, where she spearheaded the development and enforcement of the 2014, 2016, and 2020 versions of the NYC Energy Code. She also served as Vice Chair of the ICC Energy Code Committee. In recognition of her work, Emily received the Energy Professional Development of the Year award from the Association of Energy Engineers in 2019 and 2020 and was named an NYC Climate Hero in 2020.