Search Climate Insights Directory

The analysis reveals that over 80% of existing polluting electricity generating units and nearly 70% of substations in Massachusetts are located in or near environmental justice (EJ) neighborhoods. It warns that current trends in proposed infrastructure, including a new fossil-fuel peaker plant and several substations, continue to overburden these communities. The authors recommend integrating cumulative impact assessments, expanding the Energy Facilities Siting Board to include EJ and Indigenous representation, and prioritizing public health and climate targets in siting decisions.

The Autodesk AEC Headquarters project serves as a demonstration of how BIM-enabled Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) can create radical process efficiencies. By utilizing a shared-risk and reward contract structure and a centralized 3-D building model, the project team—comprising Autodesk, KlingStubbins, and Tocci Building Corporation—aligned stakeholder interests and reduced traditional construction errors. Key outcomes included achieving LEED-CI Platinum certification, reducing lighting power density by 35% compared to standards, and completing the project under budget. The study concludes that while the project focused on process rather than radical resource efficiency, the IPD framework provides a scalable model for implementing complex, resource-efficient designs by reducing liability fears and improving interdisciplinary coordination.