The Boston Business Journal covers the recent introduction of the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund. In a show of support for zero carbon living, State Sen. Adam Gomez of Springfield and Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill introduced a $300 million allocation to the Massachusetts State Legislature. The Zero Carbon Renovation Fund is backed by LISC Boston and 150 organizations eager to jumpstart the clean energy transition through renovations of existing residential homes, schools, and other commercial property.
The story below was originally published:
Mass. lawmakers push $300M fund to help decarbonize buildings
By Benjamin Kail, Boston Business Journal
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Efforts to support building decarbonization and boost a zero-carbon renovation industry in Massachusetts could get a lift from a $300 million fund proposed in legislation recently filed on Beacon Hill.
State Sen. Adam Gomez of Springfield and Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill announced the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund on Wednesday, renewing a push — which stalled in the state Legislature last year — to slash the Bay State’s carbon emissions by investing in broad building efficiency upgrades, low-carbon retrofits and electrification of building systems.
The fund, backed by a coalition of more than 150 environmental, housing, educational, health and labor groups, would be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center and Department of Energy Resources.
While the goal would be to address building emissions statewide, the legislation prioritizes investing in renovations in environmental justice communities. The emphasis would be on affordable housing, low- and moderate-income households, municipal buildings including public schools, and small businesses, particularly those owned by women and people of color.
“The Zero Carbon Renovation Fund is a critical tool that will catalyze our energy transition into an equitable clean energy future," said Gomez. “When it comes to retrofitting existing buildings, this bill ensures that our most vulnerable communities will get the support they need now, up front, to align with the state’s net zero carbon goals of 2030, 2040 and 2050.”
The lawmakers on Wednesday noted that buildings account for almost one-third of the state’s total carbon emissions. They said retrofits will be required in about 500,000 additional homes and 300 million square feet of commercial buildings if the state wants to remain on track to hit its 2050 net zero emissions target, based on a report from the Massachusetts Commission on Clean Heat.
“This investment in updating our buildings is key to improving living conditions for our residents, reducing our emissions, and making meaningful progress toward hitting our state climate targets,” said Vargas.
In Boston, city officials say buildings make up more than two-thirds of the entire city’s greenhouse gas emissions. The city’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance is pushing large building owners to gradually reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050.
The latest statewide building decarbonization push comes about a month after former Gov. Charlie Baker announced more than $100 million in climate and energy programs including decarbonization grant programs.
Gov. Maura Healey has pledged an aggressive climate agenda, including spurring a clean tech workforce and supporting energy improvements in public housing and municipal buildings. The Healey-Driscoll administration has also targeted a clean electricity supply by 2030 and clean electrified public transportation by 2040.
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