Leading the conversation on electrification.

A new report from Groundwork Data commissioned by ZeroCarbonMA warns that Massachusetts gas heating bills are set to double and triple in coming years, spurring “retrofits of regret” from homebuyers stuck with fossil fuel equipment. “The era of cheap utility gas is coming to a close and will have profound implications for all gas customers,” said Michael Walsh, Ph.D, report author and Founding Partner, Groundwork Data. “Most building owners will ultimately need to undergo a disruptive retrofit of regret to escape increasing costs and align with climate goals. This can be avoided by ensuring new buildings go beyond gas with the latest clean energy technologies.” (Press Release)

Experience indicates that most homes served by natural gas have slightly elevated levels of methane that often go undetected by occupants, but which can also be bad for health because natural gas contains carcinogens.

This study, conducted by Gas Safety Inc. and Nathan Phillips and commissioned by ZeroCarbonMA, seeks to document ambient methane levels in homes and compare these findings to outdoor ambient measurements and all-electric homes.

(Note: this report is not associated with ZeroCarbonMA but we think it is a great analysis and highly recommend it.) This 2021 report from Brown University CSSN Research spotlights why progress in climate legislation is so difficult in Massachusetts. “In spite of overwhelming public support for climate bills (over 90% of public testimony is in favor), their advancement is undermined by what happens behind closed doors through lobbying. Electricity and natural gas utilities are the most powerful actors when it comes to shaping climate legislation in Massachusetts; other key opposition groups include the real estate industry, fossil fuels, and power generators. These organizations outspend clean energy advocates on lobbying by more than 3.5 to 1.” The report highlights the lobbying playbooks, including a standard attack from the real estate and utility lobbies that we see again and again claiming - falsely - that increased building performance will result in a burden on housing affordability and could deter home ownership. (Press Release)

ZeroCarbonMA comments on the June 2023 report sponsored by HBRAMA and authored by MIT/Wentworth which documented that all-electric homes are LESS EXPENSIVE to build than mixed fuel homes, aligning with reports from DOER and RMI.

The MIT/Wentworth authors also strongly endorsed the adoption of the Specialized Code in this statement, saying: “Adoption of the opt-in specialized code is crucial to helping Massachusetts achieve statutory emissions reductions by requiring pre-wiring of new mixed fuel homes and avoiding higher cost future electrification retrofits,” said Justin Steil, one of the authors of the report. “The opt-in specialized code requirement that new multifamily housing achieve Passive House standards will significantly reduce carbon emissions from those buildings in addition to delivering health benefits to residents.”

Just as we no longer allow lead paint in our homes, we must build healthier, more affordable homes without fossil fuels. The state’s sprawling, old gas system is responsible for deadly explosions and climate-harming leaks. As we learn every day just how toxic gas is to our well-being and safety — not to mention the very future of our planet — the Massachusetts Legislature must stand up to special interest groups that threaten progress, and act with urgency to pass legislation to ensure healthy buildings and reduce our dependence on harmful fossil fuels.

Until every community has the opportunity to build all-electric new construction, the state will lock in the health, economic, and climate disparities for decades to come. Instead, Healey and the Legislature must deliver equitable climate action by allowing every municipality to end the use of fossil fuels in new buildings, spreading the benefits of electrification across every community.