Bill > H3529

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings across Massachusetts through several key provisions. It creates a "green plus communities" program that requires municipalities to develop a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory and create a plan to reduce emissions by at least 20% within five years, while also adopting a specialized stretch energy code. The bill establishes a new Building Energy and Emissions Retrofit Funding Program to provide grants and loans for deep energy retrofits, prioritizing environmental justice communities, low-income properties, and municipal properties. It introduces building emissions regulations that will set annual carbon intensity limits for large buildings, with provisions for alternative compliance methods that include reduced payments for low- and moderate-income households. The legislation also creates a new Net Zero Energy Building Advisory Council to oversee implementation, comprised of diverse stakeholders including community representatives, business owners, and experts in clean energy and building design. Additionally, the bill establishes a Building Energy Retrofit Trust Fund to finance these initiatives, with strict guidelines on fund usage and administrative expenses. The overall goal is to support Massachusetts' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve building energy efficiency, and create more sustainable communities while ensuring equitable implementation across different socioeconomic groups.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3529