Newton Could Require Largest Property Owners To Cut Energy Use

NEWTON, MA — The City of Newton has introduced plans for a new ordinance that would require commercial buildings over 20,000 square feet to gradually reduce emissions to net zero.

The ordinance, which will require City Council approval, would be modeled after Boston’s BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance), which passed its 1.0 phase in 2013, requiring annual energy use reporting, and 2.0, which requires reducing ghg emissions on a schedule through 2050, passed in 2021.

Newton proposes to combine these requirements into one ordinance but with gradual implementation, in order to allow property owners time to plan.

Approximately 400 buildings in Newton could be impacted by the proposed ordinance, including about 265 commercial properties that are responsible for 23 percent of the city’s carbon emissions.

Next steps toward Newton’s BERDO include developing and implementing an engagement plan for building owners and stakeholders, coordinating with the City Council, the Economic Development Commission, and Chamber of Commerce, developing the ordinance, determining needs for consultants and staff, developing a data collection plan, and determining a budget.

Because many things still need to be decided, it could take up to a year before the ordinance is ready for a vote.