Governor Signs Climate Bill with Pilot to Ban Fossil Fuels

On August 10, Governor Baker signed a clean energy and climate bill (H.5060) which includes a pilot program to allow ten cities and towns to restrict or prohibit the use of fossil fuels in most construction or major renovation projects. Governor Baker expressed concern that the pilot program could slow housing production. It is not clear which ten communities will be selected to participate in the pilot but Boston has already expressed interest passing a fossil fuel ban.

The fossil fuel ban would apply to research laboratories for scientific of medial research or to hospitals or other health care facilities. 

A community must have local approval to participate in the pilot. Eligible communities must have:

• Met the 10% threshold on the subsidized housing inventory under Chapter 40B; or 
• Has approved a zoning ordinance or by-law that provides for at least 1 district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.

The pilot would be overseen by the Department of Energy Resources, who could promulgate regulations to implement the pilot.

SLIDES WITH OVERVIEW OF FOSSIL FUEL BAN DEMONSTRATION PROJECT