Fossil Fuel Free Cambridge

Sourcing Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that won't run out and are self-replenishing. They emit no greenhouse gases when they are used to create electricity. Cambridge is investing in several efforts to increase its use of renewable energy and transition away from energy produced by fossil fuels.

• The Cambridge Community Electricity Program (also known as community aggregation) allows the City to negotiate more stable, often lower prices for electricity consumers and increase the amount of renewable energy—up to 100%--consumers use compared to purchasing directly from Eversource.
  
  
• The City has entered into two virtual power purchase agreements, or VPPAs, that are leading to the development and building of brand new renewable energy outside the Massachusetts grid.
  
  
  • In November 2024, Cambridge announced its first VPPA agreement,  signed through the local Consortium for Climate Solutions, for a new wind farm in North Dakota. In that agreement, the City will earn credits, or Renewable Energy Certificates, to offset electricity emissions from its municipal operations, buildings and schools.
    
    
  • Cambridge’s second VPPA agreement came just one month later. The Prairie Solar project is the largest-ever by any U.S. city, and the first agreement of its kind in the Northeast. It will produce electricity for Illinois residents, while Cambridge residents and businesses that get their energy through the Cambridge Community Electricity Program will earn Renewable Energy Certificates for the emissions reductions from the solar farm.
    
    
• Thermal energy networks or networked geothermal are community-scale geothermal systems that send clean heating and cooling to nearby homes and buildings. They have the potential to reduce costs and increase reliability while reducing emissions. Cambridge is currently studying where and how the City could encourage this exciting emerging technology.
  
  
• Rooftop solar can lower energy costs for residents and businesses, while reducing air pollution and making our electricity grid greener.
  
  
• In addition, Cambridge hosts four district energy plants that provide both electricity and heat:  Harvard, MIT, BioGen, and Vicinity. 
  
  
  • Vicinity’s eSteam system will provide carbon-free heating for participating buildings.
    
    
  • In order to support increased electrification, Kendall Square is hosting the only underground substation of its kind in the U.S.
    
    

Buildings

Over 50% of Cambridge’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from our large commercial buildings regulated under the BEUDO ordinance (see below). These carbon emissions will be eliminated when buildings fully electrify and the Massachusetts electrical grid converts to renewable energy.

Small buildings and all residences emit about 30% of our carbon emissions. We are still working to ensure their transition off fossil fuels is affordable and doesn’t increase economic displacement from an already-expensive city.

BEUDO

Large Buildings currently use a lot of energy for things like lights, heating and cooling. Cambridge has adopted a Net Zero Action Plan and Building Energy Use and Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) to track and limit emissions by large buildings.

The City Council adopted the Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan in 2015, and updated it in 2023, with goals to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing and new buildings. The Net Zero Action Plan lays out policy and programs to get Cambridge to net zero emissions from buildings by 2050 or earlier.

In 2014, the Council passed the Building Energy Use and Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO), requiring owners of larger buildings to track and report annual energy use to the City. BEUDO was amended in June 2023 to include mandatory greenhouse gas reductions for non-residential buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger.  BEUDO buildings 100,000 square feet or larger must be net zero by 2035.

Community Energy Programs for Existing Homes and Businesses

• For Businesses

  • Sign up for a Mass Save Small Business Energy Assessment to qualify for incentives and receive expert advice on programs, services, and products available to Cambridge businesses and non-profits, including financing options, and contracting services.
    
    
  • The Cambridge Community Electricity Program is a group electricity buying program for Cambridge residents and businesses. Program participants receive a long-term, stable price for the supply part of their bill and have the option to buy 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.
    
    

• For Residents

  • As a Mass Save Community First Partnership Community, the City receives funding to increase participation in Mass Save energy efficiency programs, targeting especially renters, landlords, low- and moderate-income households, and people whose primary language is not English.

    In partnership with the non-profit All In Energy, Cambridge supports multiple programs that improve energy efficiency, increase renewable energy usage, reduce fossil fuel use, and help make energy more affordable.

    • The Cambridge Energy Helpline (617-430-6230), helps residents find ways to save on their energy bill, access City-supported energy programs, and explore clean energy options for their home.
      
      
    • The Cambridge Community Electricity Program is a group electricity buying program for Cambridge residents and businesses. Program participants receive a long-term, stable price for the supply part of their bill and have the option to buy 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.
      
      
    • Energy Bill Check-ups allow residents to have their bills reviewed by the All In Energy Customer Action Team to help ensure that they are participating in all programs they are eligible for and are paying the lowest cost possible.
      
      
    • The Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as fuel assistance, helps low-income residents pay for heating bills during the winter season.
      
      
    • Home Energy Assessments and weatherization measures, such as insulation and air sealing, can lower energy costs for residents. Renters and low-income residents may qualify for no-cost weatherization services.
      
      
    • Community solar saves customers 10% to 20% off electrical bills by becoming a member of an off-site solar farm project.
      
      
    • Solar Assistance Program provides no-cost support to Cambridge businesses, non-profits, and owners of commercial and large residential buildings, making it easy to install solar on their roof.
      
      
    • The Home Improvement Program (HIP) provides substantial financial and technical assistance for low-and moderate-income Cambridge homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient and use less fossil fuel.
      
      
    • The Heating System Repair & Replacement Program (HEARTWRAP) is an emergency-based heating system repair program that helps low-income homeowners pay to repair or replace defective or unsafe heating systems.
      
      

Fossil Fuel-free Requirement for New Buildings and Major Retrofits

• Under the Fossil Fuel Free Ordinance adopted by the City Council in August 2023, new buildings are required to not use oil, gas, propane, or other fossil fuels. Labs and certain medical facilities are exempt. Major renovations, generally defined as renovations to 50% or more of a building’s area, may not install new fossil fuel-using equipment.
  
  

Specialized Stretch Energy Code Requirement for New Buildings and Major Retrofits

• Cambridge’s Specialized Stretch Energy Code requires new construction to meet high performance standards, prepare buildings for all-electric heating and cooling, and make parking ready for electric vehicle chargers.
  
  

Carbon Neutral Transportation