BERDO Regulations Development
The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requires large buildings in Boston to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Regulations will set the rules for implementing BERDO.
The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requires large buildings in Boston to:
- report their annual energy and water use to the City, and
- reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time.
BERDO 2.0 is an important tool for helping Boston meet its climate goals. The first step for implementing BERDO is to develop and adopt regulations. The Air Pollution Control Commission reviews and adopts all BERDO regulations.
Adopted Regulations and Policies
Regulations and PoliciesPhase III: Compliance and Enforcement
Phase 3 of the BERDO regulations development process was officially launched on March 6, 2023. Phase 3 will focus on the following topics:
- Compliance with Emissions Standards
- Building Portfolios
- Individual Compliance Schedules
- Hardship Compliance Plans
- Equitable Emissions Investment Fund
- Fines and enforcement
- Additional regulations as needed
Please stay tuned for updates and upcoming opportunities to engage with the development of Phase 3 regulations.
past meeting materials
August 16 APCC Hearing on berdo regulations
- Presentation Slides (August 16, 2023)
- Public Comments: Comment Letters and Staff Responses, Redline Regulations, and Redline Policies
July 19 APCC Hearing on BERDO Regulations
- Presentation Slides (July 19, 2023)
- Public Comments: Comment Letters and Staff Responses, Redline Regulations, and Redline Policies
MAY 23 APCC SPECIAL HEARING ON BERDO REGULATIONS
- Presentation Slides (May 23, 2023)
- Preliminary draft proposals for Building Portfolios and Individual Compliance Schedules
APRIL 5 Technical Working Session on INDIVIDUAL COMPLIANCE SCHEDULES
MARCH 29 Technical Working Session on Building Portfolios
March 6 listening session to launch phase 3
PHASE II: REVIEW BOARD, EMISSIONS ACOUNTING, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASES
PHASE IIPhase 2 Regulatory Topics
Phase 2 was divided into two parts:
Phase 2.a focused on the following topics:
- Review Board member nomination and selection process and other rules and policies related to the seating and operation of the Review Board.
- Designating a tenant as an owner
- Blended emissions standards
- Changing building ownership
- Reporting for buildings in special circumstances
The Air Pollution Control Commission adopted the Phase 2.a regulations and policies at a public hearing on December 14, 2022.
Phase 2.b focused on the following topics:
- Emissions factors
- Additional compliance mechanisms including renewable energy purchases
The Air Pollution Control Commission adopted the Phase 2.b regulations and policies at a public hearing on January 25, 2023.
Phase 2 Community Engagement Process
The table below summarizes the main components of the community engagement process for Phase 2 regulations.
Community Leads Meetings |
Technical Working Sessions |
Focus Groups |
Air Pollution Control Commission |
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Special meetings with community partners |
Public meetings on Zoom. Technical experts invited. |
Special meetings to go deep into specific topics |
Public meetings on Zoom |
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phase 2 timeline highlights:
Meetings publicly noticed and accessible via the City of Boston public notices website.
- September 28, 2022 (APCC Special Hearing): City presented first proposals for regulations.
- October 19, 2022 (APCC Monthly Hearing): City submitted draft regulations language. The APCC voted to open a public comment period on Phase 2 regulations.
- November 16 , 2022 (APCC Monthly Hearing): Discussion of feedback from public comment period. APCC voted to open a second public comment period on Phase 2.a regulations.
- December 14, 2022 (APCC Monthly Hearing): Discussion of feedback from public comment period. APCC voted to approve Phase 2.a regulations and open a second public comment period on Phase 2.b regulations.
- January 24, 2023 (APCC Monthly Hearing): Discussion of feedback from public comment period. APCC voted to approve Phase 2.b regulations.
PAST Meeting Materials
Air Pollution Control Commission Hearings
- January 25, 2023 Hearing
- Slides
- Public Comments: Comment Letters and Staff Responses, Redline Regulations, and Redline Policies
- December 14, 2022 Hearing
- Slides
- Public Comments: Comment Letters and Staff Responses
- November 16, 2022 Hearing
- Slides
- Meeting Recording (BERDO content starts at 19:28)
- Public Comments: Comment Letters and Staff Responses
- October 19, 2022 Hearing Slides
- September 28, 2022 Special Hearing Slides
Setpember 21 Working Session
Topic: District Energy Emissions Factors
September 14 Working Session
Topics: Grid Emissions Factors, Renewable Energy Purchases, Fossil Fuel Emissions Factors
September 7 Working Session
Topics: Blended Emissions Standards, Change of Ownership, Designating a Tenant as "Owner", and vacant buildings.
August 18 Listening Session on emissions topics
July 19 Listening Session on Review Board regulations
Phase I: Reporting and Verification
Phase ISecond Public Comment Period
February 18, 2022 - March 11, 2022
- Februrary 18, 2022: DRAFT Phase 1 Regulations
- Public Comments Received
- March 16, 2022: APCC Hearing Slides
First Public Comment Period
January 21, 2022 - February 11, 2022
- January 21, 2022: DRAFT Regulations
- Public Comments received by February 11, 2022
- February 14, 2022: APCC Slides
INFORMAL Comment Period
December 20, 2021 - January 14, 2022
- January 19, 2022: Air Pollution Control Commission public hearing slides (January 19 slides)
- January 12, 2022: Air Pollution Control Commission public hearing slide (January 12 slides)
- January 7, 2022: Listening Session on draft regulations (January 7 slides | January 7 notes | January 7 recording)
- December 1, 2021: Listening Session on reporting and data verification (December 1 slides | December 1 notes)