One of the central topics was the Building Decarbonization Advisor Program (BEDP), which aims to support building owners in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the Boston Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). The program is designed to assist building owners through resources like a help desk, consultations, and workshops, connecting them with building science experts. It is divided into two tasks: Task One focuses on long-term decarbonization planning, and Task Two emphasizes immediate actions for reducing emissions and energy use.

Task One, known as “zero over time,” aims to help building owners gradually reduce emissions to achieve net-zero status by 2050. This initiative is funded through the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant and the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund. Eligibility for this task includes residential condos with units valued under $1 million, rental buildings in environmental justice neighborhoods, and affordable housing. Task Two offers financial support for immediate energy-saving projects and is backed by the American Rescue Plan Act, which has a strict spending deadline. This task supports residential buildings in qualified census tracts and non-residential buildings owned by small businesses or non-profits.

Since its inception, the program has engaged 47 building owners across three cohorts, with a fourth cohort expected to include up to 15 additional participants. The board is focusing its resources on buildings projected to fall out of compliance by 2025 or 2030. Buildings expected to comply until at least 2035 or later are not currently prioritized.

A key aspect of the meeting was the discussion around funding allocation. For the most recent cohort, 28 applications were received, with six deemed ineligible due to various issues such as lack of a BERDO ID or non-fulfillment of eligibility criteria. The board also addressed whether a supplemental appropriation from the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund could increase funding, ensuring all selected building owners receive the full $10,000 amount required for compliance efforts. It was confirmed that full funding would be provided, even if additional support from the investment fund was necessary.

The board explored the possibility of requiring recipients of funding to share their experiences and lessons learned to benefit other building owners. Although formal case studies are not yet planned, there is hope to gather valuable insights through informal channels and follow-ups three years post-implementation. The board also expressed interest in public access to zero over time plans and tracking feedback from participants who have completed the program, though responses to surveys have been limited.

The meeting addressed the use of funding for historic properties, with inquiries about hiring preservation consultants. Currently, the program’s scope does not cover historic preservation assessments, but future funding rounds may consider these aspects to protect the long-term stewardship of such buildings.

Board members discussed the need to track energy efficiency and decarbonization metrics post-program completion. Energy conservation measures recommended by building science firms are being monitored, with expected reductions in emissions and energy use from the zero over time plans. Although building owners are not required to report improvements, the board can track changes in energy use and emissions through annual BERDO reporting.

Nonprofit participation was noted as limited, with only three nonprofits applying in the last cohort. Multifamily housing was the predominant sector among applicants. Additionally, there was a notice regarding modifications to the City of Boston’s building portfolio, specifically the removal of an unoccupied building identified by BRDO ID 106916, which did not affect the overall emission standard or compliance status.