Cambridge Council Hears Split Public Comment on Building Energy Ordinance

CAMBRIDGE — February 6, 2023 — Cambridge City Council heard sharp public division over its proposed Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance at the February 6 meeting, with no vote taken. Six of nine councilors attended, with Councilor Azeem, Councilor Carlone, and Councilor Simmons absent; Mayor Siddiqui presided. Supporters, including Anne Stewart of 2531 Wheeler Street, argued the ordinance would give Eversource "planning certainty" and cited the urgency of meeting a 1.5-degree warming limit. Opponents, including Merrilee Meyer of 10 Dana Street and Maria Elena Sacoccio of 55 Otis Street, warned of residential penalties starting in 2030 for buildings failing to cut emissions 50 percent, questioned the accuracy of the city's energy use database, and called for hardship waivers and exemptions for houses of worship. The meeting ended in a brief recess after a speaker demanded the city release names of officers involved in the death of Syed Arif Faisal and refused to limit her remarks to agenda items.