Faiza Azam (ALIGN/Climate Works for All) on J51 and Local Law 97

Apologies for my snacking.

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Hello, can you hear me?

Okay.

Hi, y'all.

My name is Faiza Azam, and I am the climate and labor organizer for ALIGN, the Alliance for a Greater New York.

I also coordinate the Climate Works for All Coalition, which is made of 26 labor unions, climate and environmental justice organizations, and community groups dedicated to tackling the climate crisis.

In 2019, we were an instrumental part in passing and advocating for Local Law 97.

As you all know, 70% of the total emissions in New York City comes from our buildings, and that is why Climate Works for All has been strongly advocating to limit those emissions, but with that comes some

hurdles for some homeowners, and that is why Climate Works for All is here to strongly advocate for the passage of Intro 1015 that reauthorizes J51 tax abatement for co-op and condo owners and homeowners in general.

This would not only benefit 350,000 homeowners across the city, but also benefit many in low-income communities, as we've heard earlier in this hearing.

Climate Works for All has been strongly advocating with state legislators and state elected officials to pass J51 in the state.

budget this past session for FY27, and we will continue to advocate for it since the bill is now aimed at focusing toward localized municipalities to pass J51.

Homeowners have been struggling when it comes to complying with clean energy transitions for their energy bills getting skyrocketing.

Skyrocketing and affordability is extremely important, and for that to successfully enforce and implement Local 97, we need to ensure that New York is supporting our...

Your constituents with the proper financial means.

Implementing Local 97 means that there is a piece of the puzzle where you are helping with that budgetary aspect, and we strongly urge that.

Thank you.