Action Alert: State Seeking Comment on Updated Stretch Code & New Specialized Stretch Code Straw Proposal
February 9, 2022
Written by Yve Torrie, Director of Climate, Energy, & Resilience
In alignment with the state's recently enacted Climate Act, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released a Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Energy Code, for stakeholder review and comment. This morning, DOER held a virtual briefing on the Straw Proposal. A recording of the webinar briefing and a slide deck have just been uploaded to a new DOER Stretch Code development webpage.
Since 2010, municipalities have had two building code options: the state's base energy code or the stretch energy code adopted by 299 of the state's 351 cities and towns. Cities and towns will now have a third option, an opt-in specialized stretch energy code, required by last year's Climate Act. An update to the existing stretch code, as well as the development of the new opt-in specialized stretch energy code will be in place by the end of 2022. At the same time, the state’s base building code is undergoing review with the Board of Building Regulation and Standards and is on schedule to come into effect in January 2023
DOER will hold geographically-targeted public hearings in late February/early March, and will be accepting written comments until 5 PM on March 9, 2022 at stretchcode@mass.gov. More information on the public hearings will be posted to DOER's website here. You can sign up to receive future updates from DOER on the Stretch Code here.
In the coming weeks, A Better City will be consulting with members to draft both verbal testimony and written comments to ensure that stakeholder interests are represented and amplified in shaping the final outcome. For more information, or to join A Better City’s Buildings Policy Coalition, please contact Yve Torrie.
