The Boston City Council recently approved a mandate for major emissions cuts for large buildings.
The legislation is one of only a few of its kind in the country and will apply to buildings that are 20,000 sf or larger. That amounts to about 4% of the buildings in the city.
About 2,200 buildings that are 35,000 sf or larger will have to start meeting emissions caps in 2025. Another 1,300 buildings —20,000 sf or larger—must start meeting emissions caps by 2030. The ordinance aims to cut all those buildings’ emissions in half by the end of the decade and completely by 2050. A review board can receive input from financial experts and energy providers for recommendations on changes to the rules and on hardship compliance plans.
Acting Mayor Kim Janey is expected to soon sign the ordinance into law. It was modeled on similar measures in New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2017
How green leases benefit owners and tenants
Agreements to spur efficiency upgrades are slowly gaining popularity.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2017
Intl. Code Council looks into code changes for cross-laminated timber structures
Most codes limit CLT structures’ height.
Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2017
Building codes for existing buildings evaluated in new white paper
The paper examines implementation, enforcement challenges, and changes needed in new code editions.
Codes and Standards | Jan 13, 2017
New BIM guide for owners released
National Institute of Building Sciences releases a manual for developing standard set of BIM documents.
Codes and Standards | Jan 11, 2017
OSHA prompts more proactive approach to construction site safety
Remote operated camera systems are being used to mitigate risk in real time.
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2017
Plunging solar power costs making PVs more compelling for owners, developers
Technical and manufacturing advances are driving down prices.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
Boston’s plans for new development at odds with flood projections
One plan calls for building in areas predicted to be flooded during high tides as sea levels rise.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
New LEED for Cities, LEED for Communities pilot certifications unveiled
Requires tracking of performance data and progress toward goals.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
China claims top ranking outside of U.S. for total LEED-certified space
Canada, India, Brazil, and Korea round out top 5.
Codes and Standards | Jan 6, 2017
OSHA prompts more proactive approach to construction site safety
Remote operated camera systems are being used to mitigate risk in real time.