A Rising Tide

There is an interesting article by Thomas Friedman in this Sunday’s edition of the New York Times. It is entitled Mother Nature’s Dow and is about the rising rate of climate change and our need for an appropriate policy response.

In the article Mr. Friedman suggests that we need a climate bailout to go along with our economic bailout. He quotes Hal Harvey, the CEO of ClimateWorks, who is focused on accelerating legislative policy to promote low-carbon prosperity through diminished climate change. Mr. Harvey believes that there must be five pillars of any effective climate control policy, and the first one he cites is energy efficient building codes.

Here in Massachusetts we have an opportunity to accelerate our own sustainable design policy. On April 14, the BBRS (the Board of Building Regulations and Standards) will vote on the adoption of the stretch code as an integral part of the 7th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. The stretch code is an appendix of cost effective design provisions to reduce energy consumption and was developed from the Core Performance Guide of the New Buildings Institute. It embodies many of the characteristics (adjusted for our Boston-based climate) of California’s energy efficient building code which is now saving their residents an estimated $6B annually. While the stretch code may require some upfront costs for developers, builders, and property owners, the long term benefits of lower operating costs and reduced emissions are compelling, and the code has generally received broad support.

The Boston Society of Architects will soon publish an article urging adoption of the stretch code. The BSA’s endorsement of the stretch code is just one more example of the rising tide of support for visionary and prudent climate control policy change in our state.

Let’s hope that’s the only rising tide we see!