Somerville Bill Would Require Net Zero Emissions Building Standard

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne recently testified in support of a home rule petition establishing a net zero emissions standard for new construction and major renovations projects in the city.

Bill H.5291, presented by Representatives Christine P. Barber and Mike Connolly, would specifically allow Somerville to seek authorization from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to pilot the fossil-free standards.

“Two thirds of Somerville’s carbon emissions originate from buildings, and our community is uniquely positioned to act as a trailblazer as we all seek solutions to climate change,” Ballantyne said in a statement. “I want to thank Representative Barber, Representative Connolly and the entire state delegation for their hard work on this bill, and the Somerville community for tirelessly advocating for climate forward policies.”

In 2018, Somerville introduced its Climate Forward plan, which acknowledged that the city must reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings to nearly zero in order to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Somerville is currently working within the stretch energy code and is considering adoption of the newly released specialized code. The specialized code, while an important step for the Commonwealth, allows for a pathway for fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations through 2050, the city said.

In August, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind was approved. This will create a first-of-its-kind pilot program allowing ten municipalities to ban the use of fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations with limited exceptions.

By seeking authorization to participate in this program, Somerville aims to further reduce fossil fuel expansion and and help protect community members against the health impacts of fossil fuel emissions and from utility costs.

The DOER is expected to release program guidance by July 1, 2023.