NORTHAMPTON — The City Council is considering asking the state Legislature for permission to ban the use of fossil fuels in new construction that takes place in the city, calling for a complete and “just transition” to clean and renewable energy.
The council reviewed an order on Thursday that would allow Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra to request special legislation from state lawmakers, but took no immediate action on it. The requested legislation would require all new construction or substantial remodeling to use electricity, solar thermal energy or similar technology.
“Addressing climate change requires a just transition from fossil fuels to a decarbonized economy that is sustainable and equitable,” the order reads. “All-electric technology and net-zero carbon building capability exists today, is feasible, and is cost-effective. … [T]he availability of renewable energy is growing and mandated to continue to grow.”
The state and city have set carbon neutrality goals, but the order proposed by Sciarra — who called it “one of my top priorities” — alongside city councilors Marissa Elkins and Rachel Maiore argues that municipalities do not have the “authority” to adopt their own unique building codes and regulations.
“It is of vital importance for us … to demonstrate our commitment to meeting our climate goals, our sustainability goals,” Elkins said. “I think every single one of us here, and the mayor, have even higher aspirations and urgency to what we need to do. This is incredibly important movement that we need to make.”
In 2019, the city of Berkeley, California, was the first in the United States to pass such a measure.
“Building emissions represent over 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth and over 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the state’s urban areas,” the order reads, adding that gas stoves are linked to asthma, natural gas and propane are “dangerous” and explosive, and methane leaks cause environmental damage.
The legislation specifically mentions that heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, cooking equipment and clothes dryers would have to comply with the new standard.
There are exemptions, including projects taking place at Cooley Dickinson Hospital; renovations that don’t substantially change the fossil fuel infrastructure or install new systems; projects for which the Planning Board determines the new standard is not feasible; repairs to fossil fuel pipes if they are deemed unsafe by the building inspector; and emergency, backup, or standby power production.
During the council meeting’s public comment period, Florence resident Jackie Ballance said the move represents “a really big breakthrough” in meeting the city’s goals.
“I do support limiting fossil fuels going forward. It’s do or die time,” Ballance said.
Joyce Rosenfeld, also of Florence, called the measure “a good start.”
Denise Lello, of Northampton, said the federal and state governments “are moving too slowly to address the climate crisis in which we live.”
“This is a health issue as well as a climate issue, since the extraction, transportation and use of methane exposes vulnerable people — including those with heart disease, asthma and pregnant persons — to negative impacts,” Lello said, expressing “great admiration” for those municipalities nationwide that “have already instituted bans on fossil fuel sources” in new construction or plan to do so.
Elkins said the best case scenario would be a statewide movement toward construction without the use of fossil fuels.
“We are ready to go and fight for this,” Elkins said.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.