Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Energy Advisory Committee Meeting - 4.27.26

Microsoft Teams meeting link and dial-in number

Microsoft Teams meeting link 

Meeting ID: 268 567 461 008 39 

Passcode: pZ7Qk78z 

Dial in by phone 

+1 857-327-9245,,569962377# United States, Boston 

Find a local number 

Phone conference ID: 569 962 377# 

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards 11^th Edition Energy Advisory Committee  will be convening their meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards Energy Advisory Committee convened a regular monthly meeting on:

Microsoft Teams Meeting April 27, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:04 AM Chair Ian Finlayson called the open meeting to order.

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Committee Members Present:

• Ian Finlayson, DOER
• Rebecca Ansolabehere, Mechanical Engineer
• Michael Browne, HERS Rater
• Nathan Darling, Municipal Building Official
• Paulette McGhie, RESNET Staff
• Vineet Nair, BBRS Member
• Brianna Skowyra, DOL Staff
• Rebecca Rahmlow, Architect (joined at 10:29 AM)

Committee Members Absent:

• Tarica Leskiw, BBRS Member

DOL Staff Present:

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel
• Andrew Chase, Associate Executive Director

Acknowledged Public Attendees:

• Becca Edson, DOER
• Shilpa Surana, DOER

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes for March 16, 2026, and March 30, 2026.
2. Chair Finlayson introduced topic of March 16, 2026, meeting minutes. Nathan Darling motioned to approve meeting minutes, seconded by Brianna Skowyra. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Michael Browne abstained. Motion passed with majority.
3. Chair Finlayson introduced topic of March 30, 2026, meeting minutes. Nathan Darling motioned to approve meeting minutes, seconded by Michael Browne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Rebecca Ansolabehere abstained, all other members voted yes. Motion passed with majority. 
4. BBRS Feedback on Proposal Formatting
5. Chair Finlayson discussed BBRS feedback on formatting issues. He stated the use of Track Changes in Word instead of colored text, and noted that a tracked version showing edits and a formal final text would be produced. He also noted the existing amendments will be reformatted and that the committee did not need to re-vote.  It was clarified that the track changes would show the difference between the Massachusetts amendments and the unamended 2024 IECC, the tracked changes would not be showing changes between the 10^th Edition and 11^th Edition. 
6. Commercial Code Review (IECC Chapters 1–4)
7. Chair Finlayson provided overview of IECC Chapters 1-4. Chair Finlayson discussed alignment with 2024 IECC, potential inclusion of several anticipated 2027 IECC updates, maintaining current stringency. Chair Finlayson also discussed reducing complexity and length of IECC Chapter 4 and noted it had expanded significantly in 2024. Members emphasized maintaining continuity with prior Massachusetts amendments (780 CMR 10th Edition) where those align the base code with stretch code pathways.
8. Chair Finlayson discussed Section C406 Additional Efficiency and the need to simplify its current structure. Members reviewed the existing system, including tables by building type and climate zone, and complex point calculations derived from national modeling. Members discussed consolidating this into a simplified table with fewer measures and a reduced point system to make compliance more accessible. Chair Finlayson discussed restructuring how efficiency points interact with renewable energy and load management categories and removing incentives for fossil fuel-based systems. Members also discussed Section C405 Electrical Power & Systems updates to energy monitoring thresholds (C405.13) and the treatment of renewable energy requirements. 
9. Chair Finlayson provided overview of Section C407 Simulated Building Performance and Section C409 Calculation of the HVAC Total System Performance Ratio (TSPR). Members discussed continuing the Massachusetts approach of removing the IECC simulated performance path and replacing it with a Passive House pathway. The new TSPR section (C409) was discussed at length, with uncertainty about its application and limited adoption leading to consideration of its removal to reduce code complexity. Related discussions on ventilation and heat recovery (C403) included moving commonly used measures such as dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) into base requirements and aligning heat recovery efficiency with 2027 standards.
10. Chair Finlayson provided overview of the role of appendices in the 2024 IECC, noting that many were added through the ICC process and may reduce usability. Members discussed possibility of eliminating or integrating appendices into Chapter 4, including removing the net-zero appendix and simplifying or relocating content related to energy credits, electrification, and demand response.
11. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
12. Chair Finlayson introduced topic of matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting. Members noted the next two meeting dates would be May 4, 2026, and May 18, 2026.
13. Adjournment
14. Rebecca Ansolabehere motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Michael Browne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
15. Meeting adjourned at 11:20 AM.

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• Draft Meeting Minutes
• 2024 IECC Chapters 1 to 4 with possible amendments.

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 

1. ReviewMinutes of the following meetings: 
   1. March 16, 2026 
   2. March 30, 2026 
2. Discuss BBRS feedback on formatting
3. Review/Discuss/Vote IECC Commercial Chapters 1-4
4. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is May 4, 2026