The City of Cambridge, Mass., and electric utility Eversource have teamed up on a building energy retrofit program to spur more energy retrofits.
The program targets buildings that are more than 25,000 sf or 50 units for energy-saving improvements. The program “will proactively connect building owners and facility managers to energy efficiency services, incentives, and technical support,” according to a news release.
The initiative will further Cambridge’s Net Zero Action Plan to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Buildings account for 80% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the news release says.
The city of 110,000 residents adopted the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance in 2014 to collect energy-related data from large commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. Combined, buildings that are subject to the ordinance are responsible for over 70% of the emissions from buildings in Cambridge, the city says.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2018
Interactive heat maps track temperature ranges in U.S. cities
Urban heat island effect can vary by as much as 37°F in the same city.
Codes and Standards | Oct 9, 2018
Power systems will become more decentralized for better disaster resiliency
Businesses, homeowners will control more power-generation capacity.
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2018
Getting commitments from key subs critical on government contracts
Withdrawn subcontractor bids can be costly.
Codes and Standards | Oct 4, 2018
Internal watchdog says EPA falling short to protect school children from asbestos
Agency not conducting enough inspections, report says.
Codes and Standards | Oct 3, 2018
Climate change impacts could prompt realignment of assets for commercial property developers
Strategies include reducing exposure to properties in flood-prone areas.
Codes and Standards | Oct 2, 2018
Political will, tougher standards needed to reach carbon neutral goal
Stretch codes, more stringent credentials for designers, contractors, and inspectors may be needed.
Codes and Standards | Sep 27, 2018
Natural light is the most prized office perk
Employees crave sunshine and views of the outdoors more than cafeterias, fitness centers, and childcare.
Codes and Standards | Sep 26, 2018
Industry consensus needed for multifamily energy efficiency retrofit approach
Choice of insulating materials can impact indoor air quality, resident health.
Codes and Standards | Sep 25, 2018
New market forces disrupting global real estate development industry
Executives concerned about trade policy, labor shortages, approval processes.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2018
More than 130 organizations petition OSHA to create heat protection standard for workers
Includes mandatory rest breaks, heat-exposure monitoring, record-keeping injury requirement.