CAP Buildings Action Dashboard

Buildings is one of six pathways in Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP Buildings Action Dashboard tracks progress on implementing CAP buildings actions. Each action supports a CAP goal and strategy. The dashboard indicates the status of each action (“not started,” “in progress,” “implemented”) and provides numerical values for metrics associated with each pathway. Scroll down to view action status and metrics.  

Jump to Buildings Action Status

Jump to Buildings Metrics

Buildings Action Status

Mobility Pathway Small
0
Not Started
14
In Progress
3
Implemented


Goal 1: All new construction is net zero emissions by 2025.

Goal 2: Existing buildings are upgraded to net zero emissions by 2050.

Strategy 1: Drive regulatory action on net zero building standards.

Advocate for the inclusion of fossil fuel free development in the upcoming Massachusetts net zero energy Stretch Code.
Details: The CAC provided feedback on the Department of Energy Resource's (DOER's)  straw proposal and second round proposal for a net zero energy code, urging DOER to strengthen its requirements for the Stretch and Specialized Energy Codes.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Adopt Massachusetts opt-in net zero energy Stretch Code as soon as available.
Details: DOER developed an Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code that provides a pathway to net zero energy buildings. The Specialized Energy Code was adopted at Town Meeting in April 2023 and took effect January 1, 2024.
Lead Departments:  Climate Action, Select Board
Status: Implemented
Follow the progress of Home Rule petitions in other towns for the purpose of determining the potential viability of fossil fuel free building requirements in Wellesley.
Details: Multiple cities and towns in greater Boston adopted Home Rule petitions to prohibit natural gas infrastructure in new construction and major renovation. In response, state lawmakers passed legislation authorizing a pilot program allowing ten municipalities to ban natural gas infrastructure in new construction and major renovations. DOER developed a Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Project to which the following communities applied: Acton, Aquinnah, Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Newton, Northampton, and Somerville.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Incorporate greenhouse gas emissions goals into Wellesley planning processes and zoning bylaws for new development and Design Review.
Details: Annual Town Meeting 2022 added "Sustainability" as a twelfth purpose in the Purposes of Zoning Bylaw and added Sustainable Design as a sixth design review criterion. The Design Review Board is working on a revised set of Design Review Guidelines that will incorporate sustainable design. The Building Working Group is also working to determine how emissions reductions goals can be reflected in the Site Plan Review process. 
Lead Departments: Climate Action, Planning Department, Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, Design Review Board
Status: In Progress

Strategy 2: Promote the benefits of net zero development.

Provide information, training, and incentives for local developers and contractors to build to net zero standards in Massachusetts.
Details: A webinar was held in March 2023 to inform builders and developers about the Specialized Energy Code. Mass Save provides training for builders/contractors on the Stretch and Specialized Energy Code as well as incentives for heat pump installations. Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (MLP) also provides incentives for heat pumps and other energy-efficient electric appliances. While not required, the Specialized Code encourages net zero ready development. The Building Working Group recently began conversations about how to educate HVAC contractors not already familiar with heat pump technology and the benefits of net zero buildings. 
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress

Strategy 3: Lead by example through municipal action.

Develop upgrade/retrofit plan for each municipal building to achieve New Buildings Institute net zero ready energy use intensity (EUI) recommendations by 2040.
Details: Following the Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines, the Facilities Management Department is planning for all-electric new buildings and to electrify existing buildings when current HVAC systems need to be replaced. Two new all-electric elementary schools will be completed in 2024 to replace three old, energy-inefficient schools, and the Town Hall and Warren Recreation Building will be all-electric after completion of major renovations. FMD and CAC are starting to develop a building decarbonization roadmap for the new Green Communities Climate Leaders program that will outline the Town's path towards net-zero ready buildings.
Lead Departments: Facilities Management Department, Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Develop and implement occupant behavior programs to optimize energy efficiency of municipal buildings.
Details: Occupant training is planned for the new Hunnewell and Hardy Schools. A new energy management tool developed by FMD is now available for departments to track the energy use of their buildings.
Lead Departments: Facilities Management Department, Climate Action, School Department, School Committee
Status: In Progress

Strategy 4: Support conversion of Wellesley homes to all-electric systems.

Design and deliver energy conservation and beneficial electrification outreach programs specific to home age, fuel, and equipment types.
Details: In 2022, MLP mailed letters to residential oil users informing them about the benefits of heat pumps and installation incentives available.  A heat  pump webinar in winter of 2022, a  Green Collaborative webinar in November 2022,  two Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code (Specialized Code) webinars in March 2023, and several Specialized Code presentations, including to the Select Board, Advisory Committee, Housing Task Force, and Town Meeting educated community members about the benefits of energy conservation and beneficial electrification.  The CAC is creating a residential climate action campaign to launch in 2024.  A comprehensive Climate Action website is under development, will provide residents with  information  and other resources to encourage and support home energy efficiency improvements and electrification.  
Lead Departments: Municipal Light Plant
Status: In Progress
Establish a Climate Coach program that will support residential energy conservation and beneficial electrification.
Details: In November 2023, a volunteer-based Energy Coach program was launched with training and support from Heat Smart Alliance and Abode. The program will be expanded over the course of 2024.
Lead Departments: Municipal Light Plant, Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Promote incentive programs for homeowners and/or builders/contractors to encourage energy conservation and conversion of homes to all-electric systems.
Details:Several webinars were held for the general public in 2022 and 2023 providing information on heat pump technology and incentives to home owners and builders for weatherization and electrification.   
Lead Departments: Municipal Light Plant, Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Work with realtor interest groups to develop utility usage disclosure and home energy rating program on property transfers and real estate listings.
Details: The Town partnered with Sustainable Wellesley to share information on the benefits of home sustainability with local realtors.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Advocate for Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and other legislative proposals to improve building energy efficiency and accelerate beneficial electrification.
Details: The CAC will communicate its legislative priorities, including a residential PACE program, to its state representatives in early 2024. The committee will write support letters when bills are put forward.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Eliminate zoning and permitting-related barriers to installation of heat pumps and insulation in setback areas.
Details: Annual Town Meeting 2022 amended Yard Regulations to allow cold climate heat pumps in building setback areas without requiring a certified plot plan survey.
Lead Departments: Climate Action, Planning Department, Planning Board
Status: Implemented

Strategy 5: Target net zero emissions from commercial and institutional buildings by 2050.

Establish Building Energy Roundtable to educate and share energy and emissions reduction efforts among commercial and institutional properties.
Details: Starting in 2022, roundtables (informational webinars on energy efficiency and electrification topics) for institutional and commercial building owners were held two to three times a year.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Opt into the state commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Massachusetts financing program offered by MassDevelopment.
Details: In February 2023, the Select Board opted-in to MassDevelopment's Commercial PACE program, which allows financing of energy improvement projects through betterment assessments.
Lead Departments:  Climate Action, Select Board
Status: Implemented
Develop incentive programs to encourage energy conservation and conversion of commercial and institutional buildings to all-electric systems.
Details: Buildings with natural gas service have access to Mass Save incentives and services. Wellesley Municipal Light Plant continues to discuss an incentives program for commercial customers heating with oil and electric resistance.
Lead Departments: Municipal Light Plant, Climate Action
Status: In Progress
Initiate voluntary quarterly energy/emissions reporting as a precursor to a Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance.
Details: The Building Energy Tracking and Reporting (BETR) program launched in May 2022. BETR asks owners/managers of buildings over 20,000 sq.ft. to voluntarily report monthly building energy use through Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
Lead Departments: Climate Action
Status: In Progress

Buildings Metrics

Acronym Key:

GHG emissions = greenhouse gas emissions

EVs = electric vehicles

MLP = Municipal Light Plant;  DPW = Department of Public Works;  WPS = Wellesley Public Schools

BETR = Building Energy Tracking and Reporting program

MSBG = Municipal Sustainable Building Guidelines