Brookline One of First Communities in MA to Adopt New Fossil Fuel Regulation on New Construction

Published on: January 19, 2023By: Elad BushariCategory: Brookline Real Estate News

Brookline pushes forward with new, environmentally friendlier building codes.

Minimalist illustration of Brookline buildings combining classic brownstones with modern architecture, surrounded by trees in muted beige and green tones.

Brookline and Watertown became the first communities to adopt the new building code regulations put forth by the state Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The new code includes strict parameters for energy efficiency, with requirements such as solar panels in new constructions buildings that plan to install gas line connections. It also requires new constructions buildings to be “fully pre-wired” for electrification. This would allow future owners to easily change gas-powered appliances and water heaters for electric versions.

The main goal of the regulations is to address the usage of fossil fuels for heating homes, which is one of the state’s largest sources of emissions, and promote the electrification of space and water heat. At this time, the code will only apply to new construction properties in cities and towns that choose to adopt it.

In addition to Brookline and Watertown, it is expected that Cambridge, Wellesley, Arlington, Acton, Belmont, Concord, and Lincoln may adopt the new regulations in the near future.

About Elad Bushari

Elad Bushari is a Brookline, Massachusetts real estate advisor, Executive Vice President at Compass, and founder of The Bushari Team. With more than 22 years of experience and over $1 billion in career sales, Elad specializes in Brookline real estate, luxury homes, condominiums, multi-family properties, development sales, and strategic representation. Based in Brookline, Elad advises buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and developers across Coolidge Corner, Washington Square, Chestnut Hill, Fisher Hill, Brookline Village, Longwood, and Greater Boston. His work combines hyperlocal market knowledge, data-driven pricing strategy, high-end marketing, negotiation experience, and deep familiarity with Brookline’s housing stock, condo buildings, schools, zoning, and neighborhood dynamics. Elad writes about Brookline real estate market trends, housing policy, condo due diligence, private listing strategy, older-home risk, luxury property marketing, and local buyer and seller strategy on Bushari.com.

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