The BE+ Decarbonize Existing Building Alliance Community brings together architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss issues related to existing buildings.
Reach out to decarbonize@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.
Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance
Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance
Objectives: Promote the transformation of communities throughout Boston and New England that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative.
Increase awareness of energy disclosure ordinances including BERDO and BEUDO and enhance understanding of requirements.
Provide information and resources to reporting organizations that answer “how do we comply” questions through general and building-sector specific webinars.
Convene regular roundtable discussions among practitioners, participants, manufacturers and other stakeholders.
Engage disadvantaged/underserved communities.
Share best practices and lessons learned.
Provide resources to building owners to help understand decarbonization pathways and create carbon reduction roadmaps.
Work with non-profit partners to provide information about/introductions to established practitioners.
What is the D.E.B. Alliance Community?
Existing buildings are major contributors to climate change. In 2015, existing residential and commercial buildings generated 1,913.3 MMtCO2e, or 29 percent of total U.S. emissions.
To help address this sector, Built Environment Plus (BE+) with Rethinking Power Management LLC (RPM) are spearheading a coalition of organizations with expertise in GHG reduction and who are committed to supporting decarbonization in existing buildings.
Topics & Speakers
December 4th, 2024 - Good Surprises from the Decarb Process
In the spirit of the holiday season, we invite participants in the Roundtable to come with stories of good fortune during the decarbonization process — a gift from the building, if you will. We often use these sessions to talk about the hardships we face as we tune buildings toward net zero emission goals, but there are often those unexpected boons during forensic investigation that make at least part of the transition easier. Join us and come away from this event with some good news to finish the year and encouragement to perform that due diligence to find your own good surprises in the new year.
October 9th, 2024 - Managing Moisture
The next Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance (DEBA) roundtable is scheduled for 3:00-4:00 PM on October 9 (the 2nd Weds. of the month).
As we tighten up our buildings, understanding moisture movement and condensation risk is becoming more critical. In October, we’re excited to have Rand Lemley, Project Architect and Sustainability Lead at Dream Collaborative, lead a high-level conversation around moisture transfer in walls. Hope you’ll join us to share experiences and voice questions!
You can REGISTER HERE.
August 7th, 2024 – Big Picture Thinking about Decarbonization Planning
The August 7 Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance (DEBA) roundtable will focus on Big Picture Thinking about Decarbonization Planning.
Join Dennis Carlberg, Chief Sustainability Officer & Associate Vice President for Climate Action at Boston University and Eri Furusawa, Director at HR&A to share thoughts, questions and experience around decarbonization planning and implementation. What have you tried or are considering? What’s most useful and actionable? What do you wish you’d known sooner?The roundtable is scheduled 3:00-4:00 PM.
You can REGISTER HERE. Hope to see you there!
June 5th, 2024 – BERDO Flexibility Measures
Please join us for the June 5 Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance (DEBA) roundtable when BERDO’s Dima Moujahed and Diana Vasquez will share information and answer questions about BERDO Flexibility Measures. They’re also eager to hear from the DEBA community:
2. Any challenges or pain points you’ve encountered?
3. Are there additional resources you’d find helpful?
April 3rd, 2024 – Outsulation
Rebecca O’Hearn, LEED AP, CDT, CPHC, Sustainability Consultant at Linnean Solutions, will provide insights around how to decide to use “out-sulation,” what kind of domino effects that decision might create, and how to think holistically about the exterior insulation’s role in energy efficiency and a tight envelope.
Jackie Mignone, AIA, Architect at Bruner/Cott, was an integral team member of the Rivermark/808 Memorial Drive project and will be sharing the opportunities found and challenges faced in the “out-sulation” strategy implemented.
After a few opening remarks, the floor will be open for questions and discussion.
Rand Lemley, Architect, D/R/E/A/M Collaborative and DEBA Co-Chair will be facilitating the discussion. Register here!
February 7th, 2024 – Partial Electrification in Multifamily and Higher Ed
There are a number of barriers to pursuing all-electric strategies in existing buildings projects. We want to hear from this group if and where you might be considering partial electrification as a stepping-stone to reach that goal. Some questions to think about within your own work:
- How would you assess building systems for feasibility of going partially electric if an all-electric strategy is not feasible?
- What approaches have or might you consider?
- How does partial electrification fit into your toolkit of decarbonization planning?
- What are the barriers you face in pursuing partial electrification?
- How would a partial electric strategy make sense (or not) from a climate change mitigation perspective?
Rand Lemley, Architect, D/R/E/A/M Collaborative and DEBA Co-Chair will be facilitating the discussion. Here’s the link to register.
December 2023 – Carbon Offsets + RECs
DEBA’s next roundtable will be 3:00-4:00 pm on December 6th. The discussion will focus on carbon offsets and the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard featuring 2 industry experts to help guide the session
Bill Riordan, Senior VP Sales, Albireo Energy and Co-Chair of DEBA, will provide insights around purchasing Renewable Energy Credits to support BERDO compliance. While efficiency, conservation and renewable energy are the foremost tools in an owner’s toolbox, electrification strategies powered by the existing grid may need to avail themselves of this compliance pathway.
October 2023 - Advocacy
DEBA’s next roundtable will be 3:00-4:00 pm on October 4th.
The focus will be Advocacy, and how we can leverage this Community and its range of expertise to advance advocacy around the issue of decarbonizing existing buildings. Moderated by Rebecca Rahmlow, Senior Associate of Sustainability at Thornton Tomasetti, representing the BE+ Board of Directors’ Advocacy Committee.
August 2023 – Planning Pathways to Net Zero Carbon Emissions
DEBA’s next roundtable will be 3:00-4:00 pm on August 2.
The focus will be Planning Pathways to Net Zero Carbon Emissions. More info to come!
June 2023 – Mass Save DER programs with the existing building community
DEBA’s next roundtable will be 3:00-4:00 pm on June 7.
The focus will be Mass Save’s Deep Energy Retrofit programs. We’re pleased to welcome Kevin Lubinger, Program Manager at Eversource, and James Collins, Director, Climate Equity & Impact at ABCD, to discuss C&I and LEAN DER programs, respectively. If you’d like to attend, please register below.
Subject Matter Experts:
Kevin Lubinger | Program Manager | Eversource
James Collins | Director, Climate Equity & Impact | ABCD
April 2023 - Emissions Reduction Mandates: BERDO & BEUDO
At our April session, we’ll be focusing primarily on Boston’s BERDO ordinance and are excited to welcome Hannah Payne, Boston’s Director of Carbon Neutrality, to share information and answer questions. We’re also excited to welcome Seth Federspiel, Cambridge’s Climate Program Manager, to share updates and answer questions on their BEUDO ordinance. Bill Riordan, Senior VP at AlbireoEnergy, will be moderating the session.
Subject Matter Experts:
Hannah Payne | Director of Carbon Neutrality | City of Boston
Seth Federspiel | Climate Program Manager | City of Cambridge
February 2023 - Where to Start: Impacts of Increasing R Value on Building Performance
Staying with the ‘Where to Start’ theme, we’ll be focusing on increasing envelope R values, specifically walls and windows.
Rand Lemley | Architect with D/R/E/A/M Collaborative
Andrew Steingiser | Associate & Project Architect at RDH Building Science
Rebecca O’Hearn | Sustainability Consultant at Linnean Solutions
2022
December – Where to Start: Ventilation & Ventilation Controls
October – Where to Start: Low and Moderate Cost Envelope Improvements
August – Where to Start?
June – Welcome + Kickoff Planning Session
Community Stewards
Community Leadership
Ilene Mason
Chair
Founder and CEO at Rethinking Power Management
Rand Lemley
Co-Chair
Architect at DREAM Collaborative
William Riordan
Co-Chair
Senior VP Sales at Albireo Energy
Brad Mahoney
Board Liaison
Senior Project Manager at MP Boston
Rebecca Rahmlow
Board Liaison
Senior Associate and Sustainability Consultant at Thornton Tomasetti