Ongoing Advocacy - Built Environment Plus

Our advocacy work is what transforms the industry. Changing policy is an equitable way to make green building design and the established benefits more accessible to all communities, not just those who choose to opt-in. Massachusetts is a leader in the national market and we motivate our community to educate policymakers on green building issues in order to support sustainable outcomes for the communities we serve.

We convene stakeholders to promote green building (and sustainable community) friendly legislation, initiatives, and local regulations.

Current priorities on the statewide front include the following issues:

Zero Energy Stretch Code

Net Zero Stretch Code legislation has been proposed in the Massachusetts House and Senate, and draft code language is currently being developed by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS). The Net Zero Stretch Code is currently the greatest single opportunity to support reduced building emissions in MA. There is momentum behind the Net Zero Stretch Code, but it is far from guaranteed that it will be implemented. A demonstration of Massachusetts building industry support has a crucial role to play to ensure success.

At the previous Built Environment Plus Roundtable, we set a course to build a tidal wave of support. We have completed phase one: writing the support letter. You can read about the initiative here, and sign on in support here.

Approved names and organization logos will be added to both the ZE Letter web page and letter every Friday afternoon.

Read the Initiative Here

Sign the Letter Here

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The Chapter’s efforts to advocate for NZEB include collaborating with organizations and companies that support NZEB Legislation, such as the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership, MassSave, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council, as well as providing educational materials to chapter members, local and state legislators, and the public. The chapter has testified and organized testimonies for legislative hearings.

The chapter is currently working to understand the implications of cities and towns in the Commonwealth developing net-zero action plans for their communities. We are working with several municipalities that are interested in incorporating NZEB. The chapter is developing resources, providing education, and reaching out to regulatory agencies as necessary.

Background

In September 2015, the Department of Energy finally established a formal definition for net-zero. The DOE defines NZEB’s as, “a zero energy building produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption requirements, thereby reducing the use of non-renewable energy in the building sector.” Furthermore, according to the Buildings, Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management Implementation Subcommittee, buildings in Massachusetts consume over half of the state’s energy and are responsible for 49% of the state’s GHG emissions, with more than 21% coming from direct fuel use. Such high energy use contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions and negative environmental and social effects. However, with a clear definition and collaborative approach, we can rally around our mission and goals to achieve net zero energy buildings.

Complexities

Financing: This extra step to net zero signifies a transformation toward a more sustainable and green market in the built community, but potentially a costly one. However, financing options for NZEB are expanding at the State level, providing programs such as The Pathways to Zero Net Energy Program. This $3.5 million initiative by DOER is designed to facilitate a transition to the next generation of high-performance buildings in Massachusetts. Projects are utilizing energy best practices such as proper building orientations, well-insulated and air-tight building envelopes, solar thermal, and heat pumps.

An additional financing option for building and property owners interested in improving their energy efficiency and/or starting a renewable energy project is the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, which is another Built Environment Plus local priority that we are happy to announce was signed into law in July 2016.

LEED: USGBC promotes the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for the planning of design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings. Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) go one step further, striving for 100% renewable energy generation for the building’s total energy consumption. The MA state energy code is expected to decrease building energy use over time to a level that will allow a feasible next step to NZEB. However, this energy reduction timeline does not coordinate with the 2030 net zero targets proposed by the 2030 challenge, which is supported by the chapter.

Net Metering: Statewide net metering caps on renewable energy and distributed generation also pose a problem for developers and investors who wish to commit to NZEB projects. Net metering is another Built Environment Plus Priority and we support the current net metering legislation that works to address the limitations caused by the current caps, particularly on solar. The Built Environment Plus Board has endorsed the Net Generation Solar Policy Framework for Massachusetts (NGSPFM), which aims “to preserve the best elements of the Commonwealth’s nation-leading solar energy programs.”

Resources

Find your Representative here: Contact your representative and ask them to support sustainable building legislation!
Curious about who supports emission reductions? Do a majority of Americans believe in climate change? Research says the answer is “yes”:

Check out Yale’s 2016 Climate Opinion Maps:
> 70% of Americans believe Global Warming is happening.
> 58% of Americans believe Global Warming will harm people in the US.
> 82% of Americans want to fund research into renewable energy sources.
> 75% of Americans believe CO2 should be regulated as a pollutant.
Check out more!

Net Zero and Living Building Challenge Study

Implementation Committee:
Buildings, Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management

Greenbuild Special Set: F01 – From California Dreamin’ to ZNE Reality in the Golden State
Massachusetts Net Zero Energy Building Council (Task Force): The Council’s recommendations are designed to move the Commonwealth toward NZEB construction by 2030 and includes the following four categories:

1) Establishment of minimum performance standards based on energy use per sq/ft;
2) Energy use bench-marking of all buildings;
3) Incentives to help address regulatory and financial barriers; and
4) Workforce development and public education initiatives.

MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA): EOEEA oversees both environmental and energy agencies to preserve open space and working landscapes; enforce pollution laws; review the environmental impact of major real estate and infrastructure developments; enhance the state’s role in energy conservation and production; and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and access at the parks, beaches, and farms that make Massachusetts such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP): NEEP was founded in 1996 as a nonprofit whose mission is to to accelerate energy efficiency in the building sector of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through public policy, program strategies, and education. Their vision is to embrace energy efficiency as a cornerstone of sustainable energy policy, and to help achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system.
Mass Save: This initiative — sponsored by Massachusetts’s gas and electric utilities, and energy efficiency service providers — works to provide a wide range of energy efficiency services to help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.
Massachusetts Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest grassroots environmental organization. Here in Massachusetts, the chapter has a legacy of protecting the environment with successful legislative, advocacy, and educational campaigns.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE): The mission of ASHRAE is to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration in order to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. ASHRAE is passionate about serving the built environment, creating value, and recognizing the accomplishments of others.

Recommendation by Built Environment Plus

Built Environment Plus encourages the development of financial structures allowing for the technical capacity of NZEB design and construction. We anticipate the Department of Energy to further identify the social costs and benefits of NZEB, and track the value for commercial and residential buildings. Built Environment Plus strives to educate organizations, such as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), in order to encourage the planning and execution of NZEB in our communities. In addition, by involving utility companies, the DOER, BBRS, and municipalities in this process of marketing and training, more companies will be able to understand the value of their investments.

General Statement

Built Environment Plus supports the implementation of a revenue-neutral carbon charge to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels in Massachusetts through attaching a price on carbon emissions. We encourage professionals to design, construct, and operate buildings in a manner that is economically and environmentally sustainable. We support energy efficient design and the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Fossil fuel prices do not reflect the consequent societal costs of global warming including impacts to human health, the economy, and the natural environment. A carbon fee and dividend policy is a conservative approach that provides a predictable, steady-rising price on carbon that rewards energy efficiency and helps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Background

What is a revenue-neutral carbon pricing?

A carbon price is a charge added to the cost of fossil fuels for the amount of carbon dioxide released. This price accounts for the external social, economic, and environmental costs of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum products, are primarily used to heat homes and workplaces, fuel transportation and industry, and generate electricity; consequently, these activities release vast amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and other GHGs into the atmosphere.

Current greenhouse gas emission reductions set by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 aim for a 25% reduction of 1990 carbon dioxide levels by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. While initial reports suggested slow progress and an inability to reach these goals, the 2015 update to the Clean Energy and Climate Action plan for 2020 found that with continued effort these goals can be achievable. A carbon price should be implemented to further reduce fossil fuel use, ensure that the state meets these lofty emission goals, and improve the well-being of communities throughout the state. Long-Term GHG Reductions by Sector*

Complexities

Studies found that the overall impacts of carbon-pricing legislation would lead to positive economic and job growth in the state, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions drastically. In July 2013, an economic study was prepared by REMI (Regional Economic Metrics, Inc.) which examined the complex interrelationships between energy, the environment, and the economy in light of carbon-pricing legislation. The study found that most households would be compensated and most businesses would be relatively unaffected, however, the construction industry has a relatively high energy cost ranking, with 4.5% energy costs as a percentage of overall expenses, and may experience greater costs from proposed legislation. Companies will need to transform their negative environmental impact into more energy efficient and clean alternatives in order to reduce the effects of climate change.

Resources

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
Clean Energy Future: MA Carbon Pricing Policy
Synapse Energy Economics
Carbon Tax Center
Carbon Washington Campaign
Find your Representative here: Contact your representative and ask them to support sustainable building legislation!
Curious about who supports emission reductions? Do a majority of Americans believe in climate change? Research says the answer is “yes”:

Check out Yales 2016 Climate Opinion Maps
> 70% of Americans believe Global Warming is happening.
> 58% of Americans believe Global Warming will harm people in the US
> 82% of Americans want to fund research into renewable energy sources.
> 75% of Americans believe CO2 should be regulated as a pollutant.

Check out more!

*From: Beaton, MA (2015). “Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020: 2015 Update.” Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/eea/energy/cecp-for-2020.pdf.

General Statement
Background
Resources
Recommendation by Built Environment Plus
Get Involved!

General Statement

The December 2016 Climate Ready Boston Final Report found that even with moderate emission reductions, there is a significant chance that sea levels will rise at least 3 feet by the end of the century and has a 15% chance of rising over twice as much (by 7.4 feet) if we kept our emissions at exactly today’s levels. The first of these estimates would expose thousands of buildings to consistent flooding and lead to billions in annualized losses by the 2070s. Clearly, effective and immediate climate adaptation policies must be implemented to prevent such devastation to the well-being of the Commonwealth. That is why we at Built Environment Plus focus on advocating for and promoting legislation that helps mitigate and adapt to the expected environmental problems to come.

Background

As defined by the US EPA, climate adaptation “refers to the adjustments that societies or ecosystems make to limit the negative effects of climate change or to take advantage of opportunities provided by a changing climate.” These impacts and consequences of climate change are quite real and are currently being experienced throughout the world. This image from the Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Report depicts how much of downtown Boston, MA will be underwater by 2100 if we continue to pollute as we do now. Major strategies that stakeholders in the planning, architecture and building engineering communities can take to adapt to climate impacts include designing buildings and structures to use energy and water more wisely, minimize damage from flooding events, and support community-wide resilience strategies.

Climate mitigation, or acting to limit the impacts of climate change (such as through reduced emissions), must continue as we adapt to the changes we face today. Effective integration of adaptation and mitigation strategies are critical to the success of Massachusetts’s legislative policies.

Resources

Climate Ready Boston Final Report
Climate Change Adaptation in Massachusetts and Its Impacts
Massachusetts Climate Change Adaptation Report
Massachusetts Releases Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020
Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs: Learn more about the issues
Climate’s Long-term Impacts on Metro Boston (CLIMB) Study.
USGBC National Climate Resilience Study: Offers examples and methods of adaptation
Climate Change Adaptation Coalition: Learn from and support a group of engineers, architects, planners, and conservation and environmental organizations working to reduce our vulnerability to the impacts of climate change
Find your Representative here: Contact your representative and ask them to support sustainable building legislation!
Curious about who supports emission reductions? Do a majority of Americans believe in climate change? Research says the answer is “yes”:

Check out Yales 2016 Climate Opinion Maps
> 70% of Americans believe Global Warming is happening.
> 58% of Americans believe Global Warming will harm people in the US.
> 82% of Americans want to fund research into renewable energy sources.
> 75% of Americans believe CO2 should be regulated as a pollutant.
Check out more!

At the National level, we participate with USGBC on a variety of campaigns, which include supporting LEED as a system for enhancing the value of buildings, supporting the evolution of the LEED rating system, and engaging with industry stakeholders to facilitate our vision of green buildings for everyone within a generation. USGBC advances green building worldwide and we marshal the collective voice of our members and stakeholders to do just that in Massachusetts. Check out the USGBC Public Policy Library for more information federal, state, and local level green building policies.

We encourage our members to connect with legislators and policymakers to support:

Government leadership by example

All levels of government understand the need to promote green building policy and energy efficiency. Their leadership has repeatedly resulted in saving taxpayer dollars, saving resources and energy, creating and expanding job opportunities, and driving investment in the broader building industry. The government can lead the way towards a sustainable built environment and prosperous future. Learn more about how to accomplish this with the resources below:

Private sector market transformation

Governments promote private sector sustainable building growth through effective incentives and green building policies. USGBC action includes structural incentives, no-cost permitting, information mechanisms, and financial incentives such as tax credits and low-interest loans. Learn more about how to advocate for this initiative with the resources below:

Raising the bar on codes and regulations

USGBC raises the bar on green building codes and regulations through policy creation and local, regional, and national building standards. We excel at aligning baseline building code with above-code green building certification using LEED to promote constant improvement. Learn more about how you can green policy with the resources below:

Community-wide sustainability

Green building policy requires a systematic approach to sustainability. From effects on local waterways to toxic materials to global warming, the community must incorporate a well-rounded perspective into policy decision-making and understanding. This not only enables economic growth, but also provides opportunities to develop skills in green construction and environmental sustainability, while promoting a prosperous and stable future. Learn more about community-wide sustainability initiatives with the resources below:

You can read more about these at the USGBC national website.