Brookline and nine other Massachusetts municipalities were named as part of a Fossil Fuel Free MA Dept. of Energy Resources Demonstration (MA DOER) Project in December of 2022 when the Governor Baker administration tasked MA DOER to allow this project to get underway. Since Brookline became a MA Green Community in 2010 the Town has been taking steps to become more energy efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels (petroleum) used in combustion for building heating and appliances. Adopting more energy efficient and environmentally driven building codes is part of that process. In 2023 the Commonwealth revised the Stretch Code and in January 2023, Brookline Town Meeting voted to adopt the new MA Building Specialized Opt-In Stretch Code. The new code goes into effect on July 1, 2023. The MA DOER Demonstration Project will take the participating communities even further by allowing the cities and towns to adopt and amend general or zoning ordinances or by-laws to eliminate all pathways to the use of fossil fuels. The Specialized Stretch Code will require new building construction or major renovation projects (where over 50% of the building area being renovated is affected) to be fossil fuel free. The Demonstration Project under the Commonwealth is a direct outgrowth of the efforts of Brookline’s stance to develop effective Climate Policy to provide mechanisms to the Town to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, the cause of the Earth’s climate crisis. In order for the Town to engage with the Commonwealth in this Demonstration Project a vote to proceed through the proposed Warrant Article 15 is needed. Your participation in this decision is welcome at the public forums through the scheduled meetings of the Select Board, Town Meeting, and the Zero Emissions Advisory Board (ZEAB). Please check the Town Calendar link below. Current meetings: Brookline Meeting Calendar Calendar • Brookline, MA • CivicEngage (brooklinema.gov) Advisory Committee – April 3, 2023 5:00 PM and April 11, 2023 5:00 PM Planning & Zoning Board By-Law Committee hearing April 12, 2023 7:00 PM Annual Town Meeting – May 23, 24, and 31 7:00 PM-11:00 PM WA 15 can be found here: Microsoft Word - 2023 ATM Article Explanations.docx (brooklinema.gov) Additional Resources from MA DOER: Stretch Energy Code Development 2022 | Mass.go |