A sweeping Massachusetts climate and energy bill recently signed into law by Republican governor Charlie Baker allows local bans on fossil fuel-powered appliances.
The controversial measure survived debate in the state legislature. It makes it legal for 10 municipalities to ban fossil fuel-powered appliances in new buildings. A requirement that cities meet affordable housing quotas before they can ban fossil fuel infrastructure in new buildings, helped sway the governor who was wary of allowing bans of fossil fuel appliances. Another provision precludes life sciences labs and health care facilities from being affected by the bans, making the law more palatable to some lawmakers.
The law also requires electric utilities to buy 5,600 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity by 2027, up from a former goal of 4,000 megawatts. It also removes a controversial price cap that required every new wind project to offer cheaper electricity than the previous one.
Other parts of the bill aim to shore up the electric grid, decarbonize the Boston-area transit system by 2040, and require all new cars sold in the state to be zero-emissions by 2035.
Related Stories
| Jun 13, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Scaling change in a changing industry, Chris Mayer, Suffolk Construction
Suffolk’s CIO Chris Mayer talks about the firm’s framework for vetting and implementing new technologies and processes.
| Jun 12, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: From job site to factory, the future of commercial construction, Tyler Goss, Turner
Turner Construction’s Tyler Goss presents the construction giant’s breakthrough “job site as a factory” initiative.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Finding the money for your clients' projects, Paul Westlake, Jr., DLR Group|WRL
Architect Paul Westlake, Jr., shares his methods for adding value to projects through creative financing.
Daylighting | May 30, 2017
Sun, sky brightness, and glow: Making the most of daylight [AIA course]
To some project teams, “daylighting” means using glass area to admit direct sunlight, period.
Security/Fire Protection | May 30, 2017
Security begins when you close the door [AIA course]
Selecting door and window systems for any building project demands a complete articulation of safety and security concerns.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Industry Groups move toward Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018
The effort involves combining ASHRAE's Standard 189.1 with the International Green Construction Code.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
OSHA suspends electronic injury, illness reporting requirement
The agency is keeping records from being publicly disclosed—for now.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Heated debate over whether Calif.’s prevailing wage requirement stymies affordable housing
There’s disagreement around how much pay regulations add to cost of projects.
Reconstruction & Renovation | May 30, 2017
Achieving deep energy retrofits in historic and modern-era buildings [AIA course]
Success in retrofit projects requires an entirely different mindset than in new construction, writes Randolph Croxton, FAIA, LEED AP, President of Croxton Collaborative Architects.