Boston mayor Menino launches Energy Positive program to promote new generation of green building

Mayor Thomas Menino said that Boston, already a national leader in green building, will launch the "E+" Green Building Demonstration Program, a residential design and construction initiative to bring energy, environmentally, and equity positive green homes to Boston's neighborhoods. The program seeks to promote the future generation of home construction - combining high quality living space with clean renewable energy production that helps power the neighborhood. E+ Green Buildings produce more energy than they use on an annual basis, giving energy back to the grid and saving homeowners money. "Today we are taking our green building and renewable energy efforts to the next frontier by creating ultra-efficient housing that generates excess clean energy for the grid," Menino said. "We will demonstrate that Energy Positive Green Housing can be constructed sustainably and cost-effectively, while enhancing the livability of Boston's neighborhoods now and into the future." The initiative continues mayor Menino's efforts to promote sustainable development and green buildings in Boston and seeks the participation of leading design, construction and development professionals in envisioning the next generation of green buildings. The findings from E+ program will help to shape Boston's future green building policies and practices. "Often, when your goal is driving real change in the marketplace, it's best to show - not just tell," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). "E+ is another example of Boston's leadership under mayor Menino - by showing just how cost-effective and livable net-positive homes can be, the homes that are built as part of this program will set a new bar for what we expect of the places where we live." E+ will build upon Boston's Article 37 Green Building Zoning and the city's Green Affordable Housing Guidelines, national models for promoting green development, with a strong focus on advancing residential green building practices. The new homes will surpass the highest standards for sustainable development, green buildings, and healthy homes, the USGBC's LEED for Homes Platinum requirements. Mayor Menino was joined by Jennifer Taranto, chair of the USGBC Mass. Chapter, at Boston Properties' Atlantic Wharf Building which is anticipating LEED Gold Certification from the USGBC. The (Boston Redevelopment Authority) BRA in conjunction with City of Boston's Office of Environment & Energy Services and the Department of Neighborhood Development has released an RFP for the development and sale of 10 high performance green residential homes located on 3 parcels of land owned by the city. The parcels are located at 156 Highland St. and 61 Marcella Ave., Highland Park in Roxbury and 64 Catherine St. in Jamaica Plain. Development proposals must be for individual sites. A single development team may seek designation for more than one parcel but must submit separate proposals for each site. Sustainability and green building experts Nadav Malin, president BuildingGreen and Stefan Behnisch, Behnisch Architekten will assist the BRA in selecting development teams and Design Innovation awardees. Proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis with regard to green building outcomes, modeled energy performance, urban design, development team expertise and capacity, and development feasibility. The RFP is available at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and submissions are due on May 31st. The mayor's E+ Green Building Demonstration Program is a city of Boston initiative supported by local and national sponsors who will assist with promoting the initiative and recognizing selected submissions for innovations in design and construction that advance the goals of E+ Green Building Program. Sponsors: NSTAR Electric & Gas, National Grid, Eastern Bank, US Green Building Council, USGBC Mass. Chapter, and the Boston Society of Architects.