Expand the 10 Community Fossil Fuel Free Program

What does the Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration program do?

The Fossil Fuel Free demonstration program enables cities and towns to require new building and major renovations to be fossil fuel free.

It uses the DOER (Department of Energy Resources) Opt-in Specialized Code, and simply requires that only the all-electric pathway is used (see this link for an easy chart comparison).  

• Affects new construction and major renovations (Level 3 alterations) ONLY.

• Affects about 0.25-0.5% of building emissions per year.

• Requires community Affordable Housing minimums  in order to participate.

• Produces healthier buildings without toxic air quality.    

• Produces buildings which are less expensive to build and operate. 

• Exempts: laboratories and medical facilities (these are regulated under the Opt-in Specialized Code)

• Allows: exterior generators.

What doesn’t the FFF Demonstration do?

• Does NOT require any community to opt into an all-electric code.  This is a voluntary opt-in program, like the Specialized Code, requiring a municipal vote to join.

• Does NOT require any additional building codes, knowledge or training from Building Department officials and building professionals, as it is based entirely on the existing MA Stretch and Specialized Codes.

• Is NOT more costly.  To the contrary, according to DOER’s own data, all-electric is less expensive to build and operate.  Furthermore, this study and other recent studies  (two cited out of many) showing the cost benefits of going all-electric without including the substantial benefits of recent IRA and MassSave incentives, which make the all-electric pathway even more economically favorable.  

• Does NOT affect minor retrofits or repairs - only major construction (new and Level 3 alterations). 

• Prevents us from digging a deeper hole and avoids future expensive retrofits, and keeps our communities healthier and safer.