Massachusetts will eliminate emissions from new buildings by 2030 — and from all buildings by 2045
Right now nearly a third (27%) of our greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts come from oil and gas burnt to heat and provide hot water to residential and commercial buildings, with another fifth (19%) the result of electricity usage. We can and must do better than this.
Tackling climate change requires us to dramatically reduce our energy usage while shifting what we can from fossil fuels to clean electricity. In addition to making our buildings more energy efficient, technological advances mean that we are increasingly able to build and retrofit zero energy buildings that produce as much energy as they consume, reducing our carbon footprint while improving indoor air quality and health. Other emerging technologies, such as advances in geothermal technology, present even more opportunities for us to end our reliance on natural gas affordably and equitably.
Effectively implementing these technological changes requires state investment and active support. Right now, however, the state’s energy efficiency programs such as Mass Save continue to incentivize gas conversions and lag in serving communities of color and renters, while falling far behind their goals for electrification, continuing our fossil fuel dependence.
Current law sets 2050 as a target for achieving net-zero building emissions, but we need to be more aggressive. The Chang-Díaz Administration will set the target for 2045 to meet the accelerating climate crisis.
As Governor, I will:
Champion and implement legislation to transition gas utilities to clean, carbon-free heating. Right now, gas companies are spending billions replacing gas pipeline infrastructure that will become obsolete in the next few decades, as we shift toward renewable sources of energy. Instead of doubling down on gas, we need to redirect our energy system investments into modern decarbonized infrastructure, based on technologies like networked geothermal systems and heat pumps, that can provide safe, reliable, clean and affordable heat. At the same time, we must ensure a just transition for natural gas workers by providing training and support for workers to transition into clean heat jobs, and assist consumers in replacing appliances and upgrading buildings to make the transition away from natural gas. The Future of Heat bill, which I am proud to co-sponsor and would champion as Governor, provides a blueprint for doing exactly that.
Reform our state energy efficiency programs and incentives, such as Mass Save, to ensure they are working aggressively to green our buildings, and that the program benefits are accessible to all. Our current Mass Save program is administered by utility companies and some municipal entities with oversight from the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the DPU. While Mass Save has been a national success story in years past, today it is not moving with enough urgency to deploy clean heating technologies like heat pumps, address costly health risks in homes, and make sure that the energy efficiency upgrades we all pay for through our utility bills are equally accessible to all communities, including renters.
Alarmingly, Mass Save’s most recent three-year plan, currently pending DPU review, continues to incentivize existing gas customers to upgrade to more efficient gas equipment rather than moving to electrification, locking in our dependence on fossil fuels instead of moving beyond it. As Governor, I will push Mass Save to look beyond just energy savings to prioritize our decarbonization goals and health needs, to focus on homes and communities with unsafe air quality and high asthma rates, and to make modifications to the program to make it easier for lower-income homeowners, renters, individuals who live in multifamily buildings, and people whose first language is not English to participate in these programs. And if they aren’t able to get the job done, I will support legislation to move the program’s administration to a third party.
Establish greenhouse gas emissions reductions requirements for large buildings, such as offices, apartment buildings, labs, universities and hospital campuses. A relatively small number of large buildings produce a significant percentage of our total emissions. Requiring these buildings to increase their efficiency can have a significant impact on emissions — through installing more efficient appliances and lighting, reducing heat loss through walls and windows, and converting their heating systems to electric heat pumps and other carbon free technologies. Although our state currently requires new buildings to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, no such standard exists for existing construction. The City of Boston recently updated its large building energy performance standards, and Massachusetts should establish a similar system for the entire state. To ensure achieving these goals are feasible, I will also work with our congressional delegation to secure funding for critical facilities like hospitals to install resilient, carbon-free energy systems — ensuring they can operate during even the most extreme weather events and serve as anchors of healthier, more resilient communities.
Expand state support for building and retrofitting green, zero-carbon schools, particularly in our highest-needs districts. Upgrading our school buildings to increase energy efficiency and install modern, fossil fuel-free HVAC and power systems makes sense on every level: it’s good for the future of our planet, better for the health of our students, and it’s cost-effective over the long haul. An energy-efficient school district with 4,000 students can save as much as $160,000 a year in energy costs, which means in many cases these projects pay for themselves — and then some — over time. It can be a challenge, however, for schools to secure the upfront capital for these projects, and to manage the complexities of planning, finance, procurement and installation. As Governor, I’ll bring together representatives from local school districts, the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, and Mass Save to identify and implement innovative financing approaches and technical assistance to support planning and project management so we can dramatically expand the number of green schools in our state.
Partner with communities most impacted by pollution and climate change and prioritize their solutions. The legacy of racial bias in housing policies in our state and our nation means that communities of color today are more exposed to pollution and more vulnerable to climate impacts like heat and flooding. As Governor, I will support policies to prioritize homes and communities most impacted by extreme heat and indoor and outdoor air quality problems, such as programs to retrofit low-and moderate-income housing in Gateway Cities and other similar communities where residents may otherwise lack opportunity to switch to cleaner, more energy efficient sources of power, and to improve indoor air quality by installing air filters in buildings located close to polluting facilities and infrastructure. Using solar equity legislation I have filed in the Senate as a model, I will ensure low- and moderate-income residents have greater access to programs to incentivize adoption of solar technology. I will also support legislation and increased investments in green spaces, flood mitigation, preserving existing mature trees and planting new ones, and other measures to reduce unequal climate impacts.
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