Episode 17: Funding the Future of Decarbonization (Live from Urban Green Conference)

Live from Urban Green's 2025 annual conference, this special episode of Building Tomorrow features an exciting conversation about a new concept for a program that would dramatically simplify decarbonization projects and drive down costs. The panel discussion is moderated by Chris Halfnight, Urban Green’s Senior Director of Research and Policy.  The other panel speakers include: James Gepner, NYSERDAJoe Chavez, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental JusticeSusan Leeds of Garrison AssociatesMarc Zulaga of Cadence OneFiveThis episode was recorded on June 2, 2025 at Urban Green's NYC Next: Shaping Building Decarbonization conference at NYU in New York City. For more information, and videos, visit Urban Green's conference page. We'd like to thank Carrier for sponsoring the event and podcast.

The 32BJ Training Fund provides free training to eligible 32BJ SEIU workers, ranging from cleaners, maintenance workers, building engineers, and superintendents so they can build the environments where people want to live and work. Hear from Michaela Boren, Manager for Green Programs, about how the 32BJ Training Fund has incorporated sustainability training into their work, and how that training helps workers advance in their careers.RESOURCES: 32BJ Training Fund website32BJ Training Fund Course Catalog 32BJ SEIU website We'd like to thank ⁠Carrier⁠ for sponsoring Urban Green's podcast.

The Inflation Reduction Act is the largest climate action ever taken by the federal government. In this episode of Building Tomorrow, hear from Amanda Clevinger and Ion Simonides about the IRA’s substantial incentives for green building initiatives, including tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy installations. HOSTS: Ellen Honingstock, Senior Direction, Education, Urban Green Council Amanda Clevenger, Policy and Programs Director, Bright Power SPEAKER: Ion Simonides, Senior Policy and Programs Analyst, Bright Power RESOURCES:  NYS Guide to Inflation Reduction Act Savings Rewiring America’s Incentive Calculator ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bright Power: Energy Efficiency Federal Tax Credit for Condos and Co-ops⁠⁠ Bright Power: The Inflation Reduction Act - A Guide for Multifamily Building Owners (Webinar) Bright Power: Unlocking Tax Credits with Energy Star and Zero Energy Ready Homes (Webinar) Abbreviations used in the episode: IRA - Inflation Reduction Act ITC - Investment Tax Credit  LIHTC - Low-Income Housing Tax Credit 45L - New Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit  25C - Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit EPA GGRF - EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

In this episode of Building Tomorrow, Mark MacCracken, the Vice President of CALMAC at Trane Technologies, joins host Ellen Honigstock and co-host Whitney Smith to discuss thermal energy storage. Thermal energy storage is a clean energy alternative that involves using ice for cooling and water for storing heat. Listen in to learn more about how this method of heating and cooling compares to fossil fuel systems and conventional electric resistance. HOSTS: Ellen Honigstock, Senior Director, Education, Urban Green Council Whitney Smith, Senior Climate & Sustainability Leader and Associate Principal, Arup GUEST: Mark MacCracken, Vice President and CALMAC Portfolio Leader, Trane Technologies

To decarbonize New York City buildings, heating systems reliant on fossil fuels must be replaced with sustainable alternatives. In this episode of Building Tomorrow, Brightcore’s Jonathan Hernandez joins Urban Green’s Ellen Honigstock to discuss geothermal energy and how it can be expanded in NYC to decarbonize buildings and make them more resilient.  Listen in as they dive into the geothermal industry, and how new policies and technologies are making the installation of more ground source heat pump systems possible. HOST: Ellen Honigstock, Senior Director, Education, Urban Green Council GUEST: Jonathan Hernandez, Director of Business Development, Geothermal, Brightcore RESOURCES: Find the images and graphics discussed in the episode here.

Building systems are designed and installed separately, but at the end of the day, they have to work together in order for a building to work as intended. Commissioning makes that happen. In this episode of Building Tomorrow, Kelly Westby from Steven Winter Associates joins Urban Green’s Ellen Honigstock to discuss all things commissioning, including: Commissioning as a systems-thinking process The importance of communication Where human science and building science come together By the end of their conversation, you’ll be able to see how commissioning makes a building complete! This is a crossover episode! Make sure to listen to the Buildings + Beyond podcast to hear Kelly interview Ellen about addressing the skills gap in the sustainable building industry. HOST: Ellen Honigstock, Senior Director, Education, Urban Green Council SPEAKER: Kelly Westby, Managing Director, Building Operations, Decarbonization, and Efficiency, Steven Winter Associates RESOURCES: Listen to our crossover episode featuring Ellen on Steven Winter Associates' Buildings + Beyond podcast: "Mind the Gap – Addressing the Skills Gap in the Sustainable Building Industry" Explore the resources mentioned in this episode: Buildings + Beyond Podcast by Steven Winter Associates Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Workforce Solutions for Decarbonizing Buildings Event, November 15, 2023 Want to learn more? Previous Building + Beyond Episode with Kelly about Commissioning, "The Keys to Commissioning with Kelly Westby"

Retrofitting existing buildings can help increase energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions. But what do these retrofits look like in a place like Manhattan, where almost one-third of total floor area has landmark status and is, therefore, energy-code exempt? In this episode, Dr. Erica Avrami, Nate Rogers and Kate Reggev discuss these energy code waivers and how, despite the waivers, new greenhouse gas legislation could necessitate energy retrofits in historic buildings. This new era of regulation marks a momentous shift in regulation practices and signals a need for significant reforms to preservation policies in light of climate change. This interview expands on Dr. Avrami’s previous research, including her paper, “Energy and Historic Buildings: Toward Evidence-Based Policy Reform,” which examines the implications of a changing legislative landscape on historic preservation in NYC. Recorded May 10, 2022 HOSTS: Nate Rogers, Senior Associate, Beyer Blinder Belle Kate Reggev, Project Manager, Zubatkin Owner Representation SPEAKER: Dr. Erica Avrami, James Marston Fitch Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation RESOURCES: Article: Energy and Historic Buildings: Toward Evidence-Based Policy Reform Watch the interview on Urban Green’s website

The first compliance period for Local Law 97 is here, and energy upgrades in NYC’s existing buildings will need to pick up. But what kind of upgrades are needed, and who will do the work?  Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU, joins Urban Green CEO John Mandyck on Building Tomorrow for a discussion on how we can mobilize the green workforce to complete these energy upgrades. HOST: John Mandyck, CEO, Urban Green Council SPEAKER: Manny Pastreich, President, 32BJ SEIU RESOURCES: Recording of the Workforce Solutions for Decarbonizing Buildings event

Installing an energy upgrade in an occupied building is difficult. These projects are also critical to realizing decarbonization goals. In this episode of Building Tomorrow, hear from Trevor Smith, a construction manager with extensive experience in completing design-build energy projects in occupied buildings. Trevor shares tips on how to carry out these projects successfully, including how to improve communication and work better with operations staff. HOSTS: Ellen Honigstock, Senior Director, Education, Urban Green Council Shruti Narkar, Sustainability Project Manager, JLL SPEAKER: Trevor Smith, Project Manager, Ecosystem Energy Services

Measuring and disclosing “financed carbon emissions”—or Scope 3 emissions—by banks and financial institutions is critical for investors who seek to understand climate risk in their portfolios. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is responsible for the management of over $240 billion in pension funds and is leveraging this role to drive carbon disclosure, including Scope 3 emissions, from the companies in which pension funds are invested. On September 13, 2023, Comptroller Lander joined Urban Green Council CEO John Mandyck for a conversation about his net zero plan and how finance can be a lever for decarbonization. HOSTS: John Mandyck, CEO, Urban Green Council SPEAKER: Brad Lander, NYC Comptroller RESOURCES: NYC’s Net Zero Implementation Plan