Agenda Summary
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Supporting Somerville’s application to the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: The City Council has steadfastly supported sustainable, carbon-free buildings in Somerville, working to do the most within local authority; and
WHEREAS: In August 2022 when the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program was codified into law, Somerville was the first community to submit a home rule petition to restrict the use of fossil fuels in new construction and major renovation projects and the Somerville City Council voted unanimously at the first full council meeting after the law was codified to support submitting such a petition; and
WHEREAS: In January 2023 when municipalities were able to adopt the Specialized Energy Code for the first time, Somerville adopted the code with unanimous support from the City Council, and became one of the first four communities to enact the code on July 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS: The City Council continues to partner with the community and Ballantyne Administration to work towards a carbon net-negative future through coordination with city staff, community members, and developers to organize neighborhood meetings as part of the development review process at which building sustainability and resiliency are discussed and there is a sustained call from constituents for climate action; and
WHEREAS: The need for fossil fuel restrictions in new construction and major renovation projects is particularly urgent in densely-populated Somerville, where residential and commercial buildings are mostly occupied by renters who have limited ability to influence decisions about a building’s major systems and landlords therefore have little incentive to make improvements that will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in a destructive cycle of higher energy burdens and declining public health; and
WHEREAS: Poor air quality stemming from combustion of fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, often dispr...
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