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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4554 FILED ON: 4/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4035
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Christine P. Barber
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to establish a net zero emissions standard for new
constructed buildings and major renovation projects.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Christine P. Barber34th Middlesex4/9/2025Erika Uyterhoeven27th Middlesex4/11/2025Mike Connolly26th Middlesex4/9/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4554 FILED ON: 4/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4035
By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4035) of
Christine P. Barber, Erika Uyterhoeven and Mike Connolly (with the approval of the mayor and
city council) that the city of Somerville be authorized to establish a net zero emissions standard
for zoning of new constructed buildings and major renovation projects. Municipalities and
Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to establish a net zero emissions standard for new
constructed buildings and major renovation projects.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Pursuant to Chapter 179, Section 84 of the Acts of 2022 An Act Driving
2Clean Energy And Offshore Wind, and notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or
3regulation to the contrary, the City of Somerville is authorized to adopt or amend general or
4zoning ordinances that require new building construction or major renovation projects to be
5fossil fuel-free, and enforce restrictions and prohibitions on new building construction and major
6renovation projects that are not fossil fuel-free, including through the withholding or
7conditioning of building permits.
8 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.