Zero Net Energy Building Municipal Roundtable

According to MA Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020, buildings consume more than 50% of energy used in Massachusetts and account for over 50% of greenhouse gas emissions. As climate change accelerates, municipalities need strategies to combat the carbon emissions from their building stock.

Zero Net Energy Building (ZNE Building) is one solution. ZNE Buildings produce as much energy as they use throughout a year. Cities such as Cambridge and Amherst are leading the way by developing ZNE plans.

USGBC MA, in collaboration with MCAN, MAPC, and NEEP, is interested in hearing from you about the path to ZNE Buildings within your city/town. The ZNE Building Municipal Roundtable is a venue for municipal staff, committee members and elected officials to come together to share obstacles, solutions and strategies for creating more ZNE Buildings.

In 2017 USGBC MA began gathering various stakeholders including MCAN, MAPC, and NEEP to address barriers to Massachusetts communities becoming Zero Net Energy. The coalition has met several times and we often hear the cost and perception of increased cost is a major obstacle. With funding from the Barr Foundation, USGBC MA is working on a report to analyze the cost of Zero Net Energy buildings in Massachusetts. We will be incorporating lessons learned at the Roundtable into the report.

Through collaboration and innovative ZNE Building policies and planning, municipalities can address the threat of climate change facing our cities and towns. Join us to further the conversation.

Parking information:
Visitors can park in spaces in Lot #1 or Lot #2 that are not designated as employee parking. Note that the new electric car charging stations in Lot #1 are for electric car-charging only, and should not be used for general parking. Lot #3 is currently closed to house construction supplies.