The board discussed the worrying status of approximately 400 buildings under the Boston Housing Authority that had not completed their emissions reporting, which is a key component of BERDO compliance. This issue was compounded by the revelation that about 10% of the 6,000 covered buildings had sought extensions until August 15th, citing reasons such as delays in third-party verification and data acquisition from utilities. The board’s response to these delays included a multi-pronged engagement strategy encompassing follow-up communications, physical letters to non-compliant owners, and direct outreach to property managers.

The board also grappled with the discovery of 1,600 unclaimed buildings, which sparked a discussion on whether these structures were located in specific areas or if they represented a subset of small buildings. This led to broader considerations about engaging smaller building owners in the emissions reporting process and the potential need for further extensions beyond the August 15th deadline.

In parallel to addressing compliance challenges, the meeting introduced the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund. This initiative will aim to support the transition to lower-emission building operations, with upcoming information sessions planned to guide stakeholders.

Technical training was another critical agenda item, with RDH’s presentation on building science serving as a primer for compliance methods and educational opportunities. The training plan, slated to run from June to November, emphasized the importance of understanding building subsystems, energy audits, and decision-making processes in relation to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The board’s conversation extended to the financial implications of retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency and emissions reduction. The discussions covered upgrades such as triple-glazed windows, heat pumps versus electric resistance heating, and the overall cost-effectiveness of electrification. This segued into the importance of creating a comprehensive decarbonization plan for each property, weighing factors like comfort, carbon pricing, and the particular challenges historic buildings present.

Further, the board delved into the complexities of the Massachusetts grid’s emissions sources, spotlighting the shift towards cleaner electricity and its implications for building electrification. A case study was presented to illustrate the impact of measures like load reduction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy on a building’s carbon footprint, alongside considerations for the financial and timing aspects of implementation.

The potential for community solar programs and the empowerment of tenants to adopt more environmentally friendly practices were also discussed, highlighting the social dimension of the city’s climate goals.

Looking ahead, the board outlined plans for future training sessions covering various topics such as energy audits, decarbonization plans, and district energy systems, with small cohort training sessions planned for July.