BOSTON — The Commonwealth's Commission on Clean Heat, established by Governor Charlie Baker through Executive Order 596 in September 2021, issued its final recommendations and report. 

 

According to a press release, the recommendations include the adoption of core principles and practices focused on ensuring an equitable approach to decarbonization of both existing and new buildings, including appropriate resourcing, institutional coordination and alignment; the development and implementation of a Clean Heat Standard, joint natural gas and electric system planning, and analyses of the potential impact of other associated regulatory changes; the reorganization of existing energy efficiency and clean energy transition programs to be more user friendly for residents, businesses, and contractors; and investments in innovation, workforce development, consumer education, and market development to help accelerate the building decarbonization transition.

 

"As we work to reduce the release of carbon emissions and achieve Net Zero in 2050, the creation of the first-in-the-nation Commission on Clean Heat served as a critical step forward in engaging with a diverse group of experts to provide recommendations that will help Massachusetts decarbonize the building sector," said Governor Charlie Baker. "This set of recommendations is the result of hard work and commitment from the commission members, and we thank them for their dedication to this process."

 

"The Commonwealth continues to take important climate action measures to achieve our emissions goals by utilizing an equitable and affordable approach that benefits all of the state's residents and businesses," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "The members of the Commission on Clean Heat worked tirelessly to develop this substantial and detailed report, which identifies significant strategies to reducing building emissions and we appreciate their work."

 

On Sept. 20, 2021, Governor Baker signed the Executive Order to establish the Commission on Clean Heat to provide recommendations on the strategies and policies to achieve deep emissions reductions from the use of heating fuels in the Commonwealth. The Commission's recommendations offers a framework for a long-term decline in emissions from heating fuels.

 

"By creating the Commission on Clean Heat, Massachusetts was able to utilize expertise from a diverse group of respected professionals and stakeholders," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. "The thoughtful work of the Commission members in developing innovative policies and strategies provides critical support to our work to implement affordable and equitable solutions that reduce emissions from homes and buildings throughout the Commonwealth."

 

"We are grateful for the members of the Commission on Clean Heat, who shared their time and expertise over the past year to develop this report," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "As Massachusetts continues to build to create much-needed new housing and support economic growth, prioritizing energy-efficient practices across our building sector is key to advancing the Commonwealth's goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050."

 

The Commission on Clean Heat's report aligns with the Baker-Polito Administration's 2050 Roadmap report and the 2025/2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan by providing policy directions that seek to accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency programs and clean heating systems in new and existing buildings, and transition current distribution systems to clean energy. Recommendations contained within the commission's report include:

 

 

"Building decarbonization is imperative to our long-term decarbonization goals as well as saving households and businesses from reliance on expensive fossil fuels," said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. "The Commission on Clean Heat's recommendations build on the Administration's efforts to advance new construction that is aligned with our long-term climate goals along with the effort to promote electrification of heating throughout the Commonwealth."

 

"Decarbonizing existing and new buildings will substantially reduce the Commonwealth's GHG emissions and is central to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's work," said MassCEC CEO Jennifer Daloisio. "The Commission's work is charting the path for our Commonwealth to reduce and eliminate emissions from our buildings and ultimately achieve our net zero goals. We look forward to incorporating the Commission on Clean Heat's relevant recommendations into our programming."

 

For more information regarding the Commission on Clean Heat, its members, and the final report, please visit the Commission's webpage.