The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) commends Governor Baker, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and the Commission on Clean Heat on yesterday’s report release on reducing heating fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in Massachusetts.
MAPC Senior Advisor on Clean Energy Cammy Peterson served on the Clean Heat Commission, which developed the report and applauded the document for its clear push to expand clean heating for residents of all income levels.
“The Commission on Clean Heat’s report makes it clear that we need to shift away from fossil fuels in buildings quickly, smartly, and equitably,” said Peterson. “I am proud of the consensus recommendations in the report. It calls for transforming the current Mass Save program into part of a new, innovative Building Decarbonization Clearinghouse, creating a strong Clean Heat Standard, and establishing a statewide Climate Bank. It also places a renewed focus on equity as we shift away from fossil fuel infrastructure and will prioritize affordable housing and Environmental Justice communities, all of which will lead the Commonwealth toward its climate commitments.”
The report represents consensus among a diverse group of appointed stakeholders from across the heating sector. The Commission met for the past year and explored multiple policy options for more rapidly deploying clean heating systems and energy efficiency programs to building residents and owners in the Commonwealth, with a focus on ensuring that opportunities and costs would be equitably distributed.
The report also includes strong recommendations for regulatory frameworks and rapidly deploying clean heating technologies to municipalities across the state.
“With these recommendations, the Commonwealth has a clear policy pathway, grounded in consensus across diverse sectors, for rapidly and equitably decarbonizing buildings in the Commonwealth,” said Julie Curti, MAPC’s director of clean energy. “We encourage Massachusetts to act quickly on these recommendations and leverage unprecedented federal resources available to reap the significant public health, safety, and resilience benefits of an equitable transition to clean heat.”
MAPC looks forward to working with the incoming Healey-Driscoll Administration on implementing the recommendations in the report and identifying opportunities for nation-leading innovation.
“The Commission’s work signals a need for us to focus intensely on equitable implementation,” said Katherine Antos, MAPC’s deputy executive director for planning and sustainability. “We are eager to work with the incoming Administration, Legislature, cities and towns, and community partners to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, prioritize affordable housing, reduce costs, and expand the Commonwealth’s decarbonization workforce.”