Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Energy Advisory Committee Meeting - 5.4.26

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Meeting ID: 290 432 335 883 13 

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Registration of Embalming and Funeral Directing will be convening their monthly 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 May 4, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:02 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
• Brianna Skowyra, DOL Staff
• Rebecca Rahmlow, Architect (joined at 10:29 AM)

Committee Members Absent:

• Tarica Leskiw, BBRS Member
• Vineet Nair, 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 2024 IECC Commercial Chapters
   1. C406
      1. Chair Finlayson discussed the structure of the 2024 IECC credit system, which now separates efficiency credits from renewable and load management credits. He noted that proposed language would simplify this section significantly for Massachusetts by reducing the number of required points, reducing the number of measures and tables, and combining similar use types into fewer categories. 
      2. Members discussed whether certain situations, such as core-and-shell buildings, tenant fit-outs, and existing-building work, should have their own tailored credit tables rather than being combined. Members noted interest in keeping the system more usable by shifting some of the strongest-performing measures into mandatory code requirements, especially around Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS), and by trimming out low-value or redundant options. 
      3. Chair Finlayson also noted embodied carbon as an important future policy area, though the committee recognized that those credits would be based on policy judgment rather than energy modeling. Chair Finlayson noted the next draft is expected to include the renewable and load management framework, along with placeholder approaches for fit-out and Chapter 5 applications.
   2. C401
      1. Chair Finlayson provided overview of the new markup workflow using Word track changes and confirmed that the “all markup” view would show the proposed edits, while the “no markup” view would represent the final language to be voted on and sent forward. Members discussed how Section C401 functions as the core compliance gateway for the commercial code and how Massachusetts continues to allow either the IECC path or the ASHRAE 90.1 path, while preserving the stretch code option and carrying forward EV-ready and solar-ready provisions from prior editions. 
      2. Members also discussed and reviewed the new Total System Performance Ratio (TSPR) option that appears in the 2024 IECC, compared it with Massachusetts’ existing approaches, and concluded that it did not fit well with the base code. Michael Browne motioned to remove the TSPR path, seconded by Rebecca Ansolabehere. A roll call vote was held, none abstained, none opposed. Motion passed unanimously. 
2. Matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting
   1. Chair Finlayson introduced topic of matters not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting. No matters were discussed.
3. Adjournment – the next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2026, at 10 AM.
   1. Michael Browne motioned to adjourn, seconded by Rebecca Ansolabehere. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. Meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• 2024 IECC Commercial Chapters

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

1. Review/Discuss/Vote 2024 IECC Commercial Chapters
   1. C406
   2. C401
2. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is May 21, 2026