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Somerville and other cities press Legislature to expand fossil‑fuel‑free building pilot
Summary
Mayors, city councilors and legislators urged the Joint TUE Committee to expand the fossil‑fuel‑free building demonstration from 10 to 20 communities and to approve Somerville’s home‑rule petition enabling local net‑zero standards, arguing local data shows all‑electric new construction can be cost‑competitive and advance equity goals.
Mayors and municipal leaders from Somerville, Salem, Newton and Worcester told the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy on Oct. 31 that the legislature should expand the fossil‑fuel‑free building demonstration program to allow more communities to opt into stricter all‑electric building standards.
"All of Somerville wants the fossil‑fuel‑free program," Mayor Katiana Ballantine told the committee, urging lawmakers to approve House Bill 3449 and Senate Bill 2292 and to accept her city’s home‑rule petition, House Bill 4035, to authorize Somerville to adopt net‑zero emission standards for new construction and major renovations. Ballantine said the Department of Energy Resources recommended continuing the demonstration and that Somerville — which she described as an environmental justice…
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