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City of Boston Awards $750,000 to Fund Building Retrofit and Energy Savings Projects for Community Organizations

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BOSTON - April 14, 2026 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston's Environment Department announced the second round of awardees for the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund (EEIF), totaling $750,000, and opened applications for the 2026 application cycle. These funds help ensure that communities disproportionately affected by lower air quality and high energy costs have access to innovative energy efficiency solutions.

The EEIF is an annual grant program funding projects that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions generated by large buildings, with priority given to projects that benefit Boston's low-income communities and communities of color. The Fund was created under the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) and initially seeded with $3.5 million from the City. The EEIF will continue to be supported through BERDO fines and Alternative Compliance Payments.

"Investing in building efficiency and clean energy improvements helps residents save money and protects all of us from the impacts of climate change," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "These community-led solutions lower emissions, reduce costs, and ensure every neighborhood can share in a more sustainable future."

Following a rigorous review process, the following four projects were selected to receive funding in the last funding round:
  • Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation ($250,000) - Grant money will support a deep energy retrofit at Hano Homes, an affordable housing complex, improving air quality and tenant comfort.
  • Boston Medical Center ($227,000) - Award will support the expansion of solar panels used for BMC's 'Clean Power Prescription' program, which reduces electricity costs for low-income, chronically-ill patients by transferring solar credits to their electricity accounts.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester ($123,000) - Funds will support an HVAC renovation in the Colonel Daniel Marr Clubhouse to improve the facility's air quality and energy efficiency.
  • Roxbury Tenants of Harvard ($150,000) - Award will support replacing old exhaust fans with an exhaust heat recovery and heat pump system at Mission Park, an affordable housing complex for elderly tenants, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced gas costs.

"These projects highlight the City's dedication to innovative and inclusive climate solutions" said Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Environment Commissioner and Green New Deal Director. "The Equitable Emissions Investment Fund proves that climate action and quality of life go hand-in-hand, investing in projects that will deliver huge benefits to our communities."

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The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) is a local law that aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from Boston's largest buildings, which account for 40 percent of the city's carbon emissions. Building owners subject to BERDO are required to report their buildings' annual energy consumption and comply with building emissions standards. These emissions standards decrease over time, with all BERDO buildings expected to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Property owners can choose to make Alternative Compliance Payments in years that upgrades are not feasible for their buildings, creating a funding stream for the EEIF.

All awardees were selected by the BERDO Review Board, a first-of-its kind, community-driven governing body that oversees the implementation of this law. This public board ensures that building decarbonization benefits all communities in Boston, particularly low income communities and communities of color. The BERDO Review Board is made up of nine members, six of which must be nominated by a qualified community-based organization.

"The Hano Homes Deep Energy Retrofit provides thermal comfort, fresh air ventilation, and unit heating and cooling control to the 20 families who call these affordable units home all while reducing energy usage by at least 70%," said, Caitlin Robillard, Director of Real Estate Development for the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation. "The funding from EEIF has been critical for this project to get over the finish line and remain an innovative decarbonization example for building owners across Boston!"

"Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is excited to be a part of the latest round of EEIF grants," said Bob Scannell, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester. "This funding will replace two 30 year old HVAC Units with modern and efficient units that will help regulate temperature in our gymnasium while also cutting our carbon emissions. We look forward to many years of use for these units and the generations of Club kids who will be served by them."

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"We are truly gratified to be selected for EEIF's grant to support an award-winning heat pump exhaust recovery system on the roof of our 260-unit Levinson tower," said Karen Gately, Executive Director of Roxbury Tenants of Harvard. "When we engaged GreenerU and began our decarbonization journey two years ago, we were motivated both by BERDO and the mandate to replace end-of-life equipment. To now be the recipient of an EEIF grant brings us full-circle and helps us accomplish our first major emissions reduction goal, while offering strong financial payback, improved indoor air quality and tenant comfort."

The next round of applications to receive funding through the Equitable Emissions Investment Fund is currently open through June 1, 2026. All past funded projects can be found in the 2025 Equitable Emissions Investment Fund report. Building owners or managers who are looking for technical support in complying with BERDO can visit boston.gov/berdo and schedule a one-on-one building consultation.

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