Statewide building codes campaign

This year, city officials across the U.S. will vote on revisions to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the code that underpins the Massachusetts Building Energy Code. The Massachusetts Climate Action Network and Metropolitan Area Planning Council are pushing to adopt a more aggressive stretch code that will enable cities and towns across the state to set codes that align with their energy efficiency targets. After all, buildings represent 46% of emissions in Massachusetts and 58% in Somerville. Today, I worked on a letter to be sent to Somerville city staff in the planning, sustainability, housing and other offices, on behalf of the Climate Coalition of Somerville) hoping to persuade them to get involved in the voting process. (h/t to Paola, who did the heavy lifting in drafting.)