By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager
The Residential Green Building Committee gathered on March 14th 2016 before the “Policy Podium: Panel Discussion on Energy with Legislators and Industry Pros” that followed. We reviewed the goals we set for 2016, such as recruiting more passionate people to Chapter, and established that the personal connection is crucial in doing this.
One of the projects we have in the works is an Integrated Energy Efficiency Program. We want to make it easier for developers and contractors to see they have access to energy efficiency incentives available to them, when pulling permits prior to construction. We need to start with one city at a time and make the change to implement these Energy Efficiency programs as mere options, not requirements.
Increasing this awareness of programs will benefit both the developers/contractors and homeowners alike. Eventually we want these programs to exist statewide, and be presented in an easily understandable way for those involved at the beginning of the construction process.
While this program will drive people to MassSave, it doesn’t stop here. There are a multitude of incentives that exist, and we just need to find the right way to make this information accessible in an easily understandable way. We should especially target Stretch Code communities, as they are most likely going to respond positively since they are already on track to utilize energy efficiency upgrades.
Stay tuned for more updates on our next Committee meeting on April 11th (Sign up HERE), and our next Policy Podium on April 14th (Sign up HERE).
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston 
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Founder and Principal, Linnean Solutions | LEED AP, O+M; EcoDistrict AP
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior Essex