50:56One notable issue addressed in the meeting centered on MGB’s application, which drew significant public attention due to its implications for environmental justice and public health. Concerns were raised regarding MGB’s diesel peaking units, which are known to emit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides during their startup, shutdown, and testing phases. Public commenters emphasized the potential for these units to be replaced with battery storage systems, which could reduce air pollution in the surrounding community. She advocated for the board to deny MGB’s application, highlighting the intersection of labor and environmental justice, and criticized the healthcare system’s profit-driven model.

41:49Dr. James Sullivan echoed these sentiments, asserting that granting leniency to MGB would harm marginalized communities, citing personal experiences of growing up near a pollution-heavy area as motivation to advocate for environmental justice. Amid these discussions, Dr. Taylor Walker, representing CI SEIU, reinforced the link between labor rights and environmental justice, urging the board to hold MGB accountable for its practices.

Public comments also included testimony from community members like Lynn Johnson, who expressed concerns about emissions from the peaker plant near her residence and the broader implications for community health. She called for a transition to cleaner energy sources to improve public health outcomes. Meanwhile, Dr. Nie voiced similar concerns, advocating for MGB to explore renewable energy solutions and improve energy efficiency.

01:53:15Despite these concerns, the board ultimately voted to approve MGB’s application with standard conditions. The decision included a request for updates on MGB’s decarbonization strategies and its engagement with minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE). The board emphasized the importance of accountability and compliance with emissions reduction goals while noting that the decision would set precedents for future applications.

05:24While MGB’s application dominated much of the meeting, the board also reviewed Boston University’s building portfolio and Individual Compliance Schedule (ICS) applications. Boston University had swiftly complied with the board’s request to use ISO New England emissions factors, which impacted their reporting but not their operational plans. The board approved the application, acknowledging the university’s efforts to maintain consistent standards across the city.

18:30Boston Medical Center (BMC) also presented its emissions profile and compliance strategy, emphasizing its focus on health equity and environmental sustainability. BMC’s strategy includes a virtual power purchase agreement linked to the Summit Farm Solar Project and participation in local community solar projects to offset electric emissions. Non-electric strategies involve exploring electrification options for heating equipment and ongoing steam emissions reduction projects.

39:06The public comment period for BMC’s application saw board members expressing appreciation for BMC’s extensive environmental justice plan and its community-focused initiatives, such as the clean power prescription program and food pantry. The board approved BMC’s application with standard conditions, including a future update on the MWBE utilization policy.