Mayor Michelle Wu said the new rule will help boost demand for green materials and create new jobs in the green building sector.
An executive order signed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu bans the use of fossil fuels in new buildings and renovations of city-owned property, reports Nish Amarnath in Smart Cities Dive. “Wu said the move will accelerate Boston’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with buildings accounting for more than 70% of the city’s total carbon emissions, and municipal emissions constituting 2.3% of all those emissions.”
The move could boost demand for low-emissions products and materials. “Wu’s office added that the executive order will pave the way for fresh employment prospects in building construction, design and maintenance.”
The rule applies to city properties, but also includes “a significant rule alteration regarding fossil fuel use in private projects.” Last month, Mayor Wu announced “a specialized climate-friendly state-specific stretch code that mandates new constructions, even those currently using natural gas, to be equipped for future all-electric functionality” that will go into effect in January 2024.
FULL STORY: Boston mayor bans fossil fuels in new city-owned buildings
Boston Pilot Program Funds Electrification of Small Residential Properties
Owners of small buildings can get up to $50,000 per unit to fund decarbonization retrofits.
Boston Plans To Restrict Fossil Fuel Use in Buildings
As part of the city’s broader climate goals, Mayor Michelle Wu wants to require all new buildings to eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
Toyota’s Hybrid Popularity Outpaces Production Worldwide
Soaring global demand for Toyota's hybrid vehicles is straining the automaker’s supply chain, leading to widespread delays as component shortages and limited production capacity challenge its ability to keep up.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service