USGBC MA Chapter Meeting

PAYETTE was excited to host and welcome the Massachusetts Chapter of the USGBC to our office last Monday for their Annual Meeting. With over 100 attendees, it was exciting to see many old and new faces of our green building community. In addition to many interesting conversations, there was the election of 7 new and returning members to Board of Directors, presentations from the Executive Director and committee chairs on last year’s accomplishments and the goals for the upcoming year.

Brian Swett, the City of Boston’s Chief of Environment and Energy gave a great presentation the initiatives the city is currently undertaking, including the Building Energy Disclosure Ordinance, the City’s Climate Action Plan, and renewable energy program. These and other programs are all part of the City’s ambitious commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Brian also discussed the City’s efforts for disaster preparedness and resiliency to changing sea levels, and pointing out how Boston was only spared the flooding that devastated New York, because the storm hit here 5 hours before high tide. Boston is also continuing to support an increase in cycling travel, and is looking into innovative infrastructure ideas like bicycle superhighways. You can find out more about the City of Boston’s sustainability initiatives and what you can do at Greenovate Boston.

The work of the USGBC MA community and the leadership in this region is one of the reasons that Massachusetts was recently rated #4 in the list of Top Green States by the USGBC.