March 12, 2008 NECN Extra: Gov. Patrick on net zero energy buildings Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has announced the establishment of a task force on net zero energy buildings at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association's (NESEA) Building Energy Conference and Trade Show at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston on Wednesday.

The Governor said that he would return to the NESEA's 34th annual event in 2009 to announce the recommendations of the task force.

Buildings that reduce their energy use by 40% are great, but that is simply not enough," the Governor said. "We need to set our sights lower. Therefore I am establishing this task force on net zero energy buildings today and asking them to have their recommendations, including recommendations for construction finance, ready for announcement to you here at the Building Energy conference one year from today."

Governor Patrick then called upon the conference participants to help him achieve his goal of net zero energy buildings. "Those of you in this room are the ones who can make this happen. You have what it takes to lead the energy revolution and my challenge to you is to help us get to zero. That is the least we can do!"

Net zero energy buildings are buildings that produce as much energy as they consume and represent the cutting edge of environmentally responsible construction. These buildings utilize state-of-the-art energy-efficient construction and renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind, to reduce the buildings'