Adil Trehan, adil.trehan@sierraclub.org, 202-630-7275
Michele Brooks, michele.brooks@sierraclub.org, 508-816-2977
Boston, MA — Boston City Council voted unanimously today to approve amendments to the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO), requiring buildings over 20,000 square feet to meet a performance standard which lays out a mandated path for buildings to become carbon-free by 2050.
The amended ordinance was developed in partnership with stakeholders including Sierra Club and many community groups. Of particular note, it contains equity provisions which:
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Establish an Emissions Review Board comprised of ⅔ members nominated by community groups; and
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Establish an Equitable Investment Fund to be used for local emissions reduction projects that benefit environmental justice populations in Boston and prioritize air quality improvements, lowering energy burden, low-income affordable housing and housing stabilization, access to green jobs, and clean energy installations.
Michele Brooks, Boston Community Organizer, issued the following statement:
“We are thrilled with the unanimous support from the Boston City Council in passing BERDO 2.0. It’s past due time for the biggest buildings in Boston to be held accountable for their pollution, and required to take significant action to reduce their impact. BERDO 2.0 will provide tangible benefits to frontline communities in Boston who experience the most severe consequences of air pollution. This is a proud moment for the City, and one which propels us as a leader in climate action.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.