Potential Fossil Fuels Ban on New Development
Public Comment Period Ends February 10th
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) published a draft program regulation and a model rule for the Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program, which Boston filed a home rule petition to join. The program aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels and incentivize local housing production Acceptance into the program would permit Boston to restrict the use of fossil fuels in new development projects.
Draft Program Regulation – DOER will accept public comments on the draft regulation and model rule at a virtual hearing on February 8 and via written comments by February 10. DOER’s draft program regulation requires applications to include the following:
- Home rule petition
- Proposed ordinance
- Implementation plan
- Documentation of meeting housing requirement
- Proof of local approval
- Substitute Communities – actions taken or plan for the production of multi-family housing
DOER recommends that municipalities adopt its model rule as their by-law or ordinance because it ensures appropriate integration with the Massachusetts Specialized Opt-in Energy Code, an optional code with net-zero building performance standards designed to achieve the state’s greenhouse gas emission limits. If a city or town does not plan to use the model by-law or the Department’s Fossil Fuel-Free Code, its application must include an explanation and rationale for any differences.
DOER will prioritize the first ten municipalities that filed home rule petitions. All other municipalities, including Boston, are considered Substitute Communities. DOER will only review applications from Substitute Communities if a Prioritized Community withdraws its application or becomes ineligible. Several selection criteria may be used, such as diversity of participating communities and localized electric grid investments needed. The earliest DOER will issue an approval for a Substitute Community is March 1, 2024.
Boston’s Application – Boston approved a home rule petition to join the Program, though the details of Boston’s ordinance have yet to be set. The home rule petition creates an Advisory Committee to help establish the ordinance’s definitions, criteria for, and timelines. The Committee members are appointed by the Mayor with the City Council and include subject matter experts. Boston has a chance of being selected because one community has already withdrawn from the program.
