Legislature considers emissions cuts in large buildings

BOSTON – Large residential and commercial buildings would become more energy-efficient over time, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, under a bill discussed at a committee hearing today.

“With large buildings accounting for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts, this legislation is necessary climate action, aiming to improve energy efficiency and replace fossil fuel heating with cleaner alternatives,” said Sen. Rausch. “After enacting better buildings data reporting last term, I am proud to continue this successful collaboration as we advance the Better Buildings Act and move Massachusetts closer to our climate goals for a pollution-free future.” 

“The ideas set forth in the Better Buildings Act are important if we are to make real our commitment to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts,” said Rep. Rogers. “By requiring owners of large buildings to meet efficiency standards, we are addressing a huge source of pollution and ensuring a healthier future for our communities. Meeting our clean energy goals and combating climate change is a complicated task; this legislation will help simplify the path to do so.”

Last August, the state Legislature passed a climate law that will require the owners of large buildings — including office and apartment buildings, hospitals, and university campuses — to report their energy use each year. That section of the law was based on legislation filed by Sen. Rausch and former state Rep. Maria Robinson (Framingham).

The Better Buildings Act (H.3213, S.2178) would build on those reporting requirements by setting building performance standards, which would establish maximum levels of energy use or greenhouse gas emissions for large buildings. Standards would vary depending on the type of building and its use. The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) will set a final building performance standard for the year 2050 and interim standards for each five-year period, consistent with meeting Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy held a hearing today on the Better Buildings Act along with other bills related to energy efficiency.

“Reducing the fossil fuels we use in our buildings will mean cleaner air, healthier communities, and a safer climate for all of us,” said Lydia Churchill, Clean Energy Campaign Associate, Environment Massachusetts. “The Legislature can take a big step toward cleaning up Massachusetts’ big buildings by adopting the Better Buildings Act.”

“The Better Buildings Act is a win-win,” said Deirdre Cummings, legislative director for MASSPIRG. “Not only will the law save tenants — including residents and businesses — money in utility bills for inefficient buildings, it will also protect our health and environment by tackling climate change.”

Buildings are responsible for a large share of Massachusetts’ global warming pollution. Burning oil and gas in residential and commercial buildings — primarily for heating and hot water — produces 35% of our greenhouse gas emissions, and electricity is responsible for an additional 20% of emissions. Pollution from fossil fuels also harms our health, contributing to asthma, heart attack, and premature birth.

The Better Buildings Act will apply only to large buildings with at least 20,000 square feet of floor area. Current building code requires new buildings to be built to a minimum energy efficiency standard, but there are currently no statewide requirements for existing buildings to become more efficient. 

“The Better Buildings Act is an essential part of the Commonwealth’s path to zero emissions. In fact, emissions from combustion at existing buildings is one of the sectors that has not substantially changed since 1990,” said Elizabeth Beardsley, J.D., P.E., Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council. “The U.S. Green Building Council strongly supports moving this bill forward.”

Boston and Cambridge have adopted performance standards for large buildings similar to those proposed in the Better Buildings Act. The states of Colorado, Washington, and Maryland, along with cities from St. Louis to Denver, have also adopted building performance standards.

“Building performance standards (BPS) are the most powerful policy tool to reduce emissions from buildings,” said Cliff Majersik, Senior Advisor, Institute for Market Transformation (IMT). “BPS have been successfully adopted in four states and eight localities including Boston and Cambridge. As part of its phenomenal record of climate leadership, Massachusetts should be next.”

Speakers at the hearing discussed many of the steps owners can take to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in their buildings, including installing more efficient appliances and lighting, reducing heat loss through walls and windows, replacing heating and cooling systems with efficient electric technologies like heat pumps, and installing rooftop solar panels.