BEUDO Regulations Updates

BEUDO Policy and Regulatory Updates

The Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) Amendments passed in June 2023, which set a rigorous set of steps and deadlines for large non-residential properties to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The largest of these buildings are expected to reach zero by 2035.

The City is in the process of creating detailed regulations in multiple phases, which further explain how to comply with BEUDO.

The first set of regulations contained information on how building owners will calculate their carbon emissions and the ways in which owners may purchase renewable energy to offset emissions created from grid electricity.

Regulatory language for these topics was signed and posted to the BEUDO website in December 2024. Available Emission Factors was published in the official BEUDO Procedures document.

Next Phases of Regulation Development

The next phase of regulations development is underway, and is intended to contain clarification on the following aspects of the Ordinance:

Data Verification Requirements
Property and Ownership Definitions
Alternate Baseline Selection
Review Board Structure

The goal for presenting a draft to building owners and stakeholders, and opening a comment period, is April 2025. Information regarding public meetings and opportunities for public comment will be posted on the website and sent to this email list.

A third phase in the later months of 2025 will cover additional topics, including campus designation, applications for hardship and deferral plans, and appointments to the Review Board.

State Benchmarking

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) recently adopted regulations requiring Large Building Energy Reporting (LBER) for buildings that meet certain size thresholds. Many BEUDO Covered Properties will be on this list. We have been meeting regularly with DOER to ensure streamlined reporting processes for the buildings that are covered by BEUDO benchmarking requirements.

DOER intends to send further information in February that will detail any requirements and processes for BEUDO owners to comply with the State Policy. For more information, visit their website.

Questions regarding the regulatory development process and compliance mechanisms for BEUDO covered properties should be directed to BEUDOregs@cambridgema.gov.

BETA and PACE

Interested in funding for energy-saving measures in your Cambridge building?

BETA (Building Electrification and Transformation Accelerator) is accepting applications to develop and pilot a decarbonization assessment process for commercial buildings and multifamily residential buildings with 15 or more units.

Additionally, PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a financing mechanism to allow commercial property owners to finance energy improvements for new construction and existing buildings.

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Cambridge Office of Sustainability