Lower Manhattan Energy Program

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Before you submit your application

To qualify for LMEP benefits, tenants must be either receiving electricity from landlord's account or directly through an independent account with the utility company.

Property information, including block number(s), lot number(s), assessed value.

Notarized tenant list of all tenants in a building, including: business name, contact person, telephone number, number of employees, business activity, location in building, meter number (if sub-metered by landlord) or account number (if directly metered by utility), and square footage of area occupied.

List of potentially ineligible tenants and subtenants, including name, utility account number or sub-meter (if applicable), name on account (landlord or tenant), and mailing address/contact person.

Copies of 12 months of utility bills (if applicable) for each account number servicing building.

Executed (signed) copy of deed and/or lease.

Architectural rendering of building floor plans.

Businesses must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Sole Proprietors that do not have an EIN may use a Social Security Number (SSN).

Estimated start date and completion date of renovations.

For applicants with ICAP: name on ICAP application, ICAP application number, assessed value of the building and land, estimated total construction/renovation costs, and start and end date of construction/renovation period.

For applicants with NYCIDA: date of submission of NYCIDA application (submission must be prior to NYCIDA resolution).

For applicants leasing from Empire State Development Corporation or the City of New York: date lease was fully executed or anticipated to be executed with the ESDC or City of New York.

Projected monthly electric bill for building accounts.

Location of main and sub-meters (if applicable) and percent "markup" charge on sub-meters (if applicable).

Information on all individuals with 10% or more ownership interest in the building, including: name, percent of ownership, date of birth, home address, social security number, and other business affiliations.

List of Permit Fees. More info

A non-refundable application fee must be sent with every application. The fees, based on the gross square footage of the eligible building, are as follows:
Up to 10,000 square feet = $500
10,001 square feet to 25,000 square feet = $1,000
25,001 square feet to 50,000 square feet = $1,250
50,001 square feet to 100,000 square feet = $1,500
100,001 square feet to 250,000 square feet = $2,500
Greater than 250,000 square feet = $5,000

List of accepted payment methods. More info

Personal Check (Payable to the New York City Department of Small Business Services.)
Certified Check (Payable to the New York City Department of Small Business Services.)
Money Order (Payable to the New York City Department of Small Business Services.)

Ready to Apply?

Apply in Person

Steps to apply in person:

Pre-screen with SBS to verify eligibility for the LMEP and clarify any questions regarding application procedures. Call 311 and ask for LMEP before beginning the capital improvement project.

Review documentation and information required to submit a LMEP application including the list of prerequisites, above.

Complete the LMEP application, available in the Application Materials section above, in accordance with the instructions provided. Provide required support documentation as listed on application. Some documentation may not be available at the time of application.

Send the LMEP application, along with the non-refundable application fee (listed below) via postal mail to the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), located at the address below.

Provide SBS a copy of the New York City Building Permit for the project (the permit cannot be issued prior to SBS receiving the LMEP application).

Provide verification of Minimum Required Expenditures (MRE). If an ICAP applicant, the MRE is 30% of the assessed value of the property and must be submitted to the Department of Finance. If an NYCIDA applicant or occupant of a City / State owned facility, the MRE is 20% of the assessed value of the property and must be submitted to the Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

If an application meets all eligibility criteria, a Certificate of Eligibility for each eligible utility account is sent to the business and utility confirming the start of the program benefit. Approved buildings must notify SBS of any changes in eligibility or additional utility accounts during the life of the benefit.

Throughout the duration of the program the property owner must submit tenant status updates and report any changes or additional utility accounts to SBS on a quarterly basis.