Massachusetts

Why We're Watching

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009 Training, Stretch Code, Green Community Grant Programs

State Highlights

Population: 6,593,587

Energy Code: State building code based upon the 2009 IECC

Code Administrator(s): Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

Updates

- On November 17, Boston City Council approved the Massachusetts "Stretch" Energy Code. It became the fifty-ninth community in the state to adopt the more stringent requirements.

- On May 25, 2010, Massachusetts's Governor Deval Patrick designated 35 cities and towns as the Commonwealth's first official "Green Communities" - a status that makes them eligible for $8.1 million in grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects. The projects promise to create green jobs and advance both municipal and state clean energy goals. "We are confident that these 35 municipalities - and the projects they will undertake with Green Communities grants - will serve as shining examples to the Commonwealth's other 316 cities and towns, all of which we hope will also work toward becoming Green Communities and reaching their clean energy goals in the months ahead," said DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice. Please read the whole press release for more information.

Background

Massachusetts has something for everyone: nation-leading energy efficiency plans; technical support and grants to support the 351 cities and towns committed to moving along the path of energy efficiency and renewable energy toward zero-net energy buildings; robust sustainability goals for state-owned properties, and so much more.

Massachusetts in 2010

Stretch Code

In July 2009, Massachusetts became the first state to adopt an above-code appendix to its state code - the 120 AA ‘Stretch’ Energy Code. The ‘Stretch’ Code is an enhanced version of the 2009 IECC with greater emphasis on performance testing and prescriptive requirements. It was designed to be approximately 20 percent more efficient than the base energy code - the IECC 2009 for new construction, with less stringent requirements for residential renovations.

It divides commercial buildings by size and type. Buildings less than 5,000 sq. ft., “specialty buildings” less than 40,000 sq. ft. (supermarkets, warehouses, and laboratories), and renovations are exempt. Buildings larger than 100,000 sq. ft. and “specialty buildings” larger than 40,000 sq. ft. must exhibit a 20 percent reduction in energy use from ASHRAE 90.1-2007 using approved energy modeling. Buildings between 5,000 and 100,000 sq. ft. can meet the same performance requirements or a prescriptive code based on a codified version of New Buildings Institute’s (NBI) Core Performance Guide, which includes more stringent building envelope and HVAC equipment requirements than the 2009 IECC and new requirements for commissioning, air barriers, and lighting controls.

New residential construction will require a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 65 or less for homes 3,000 sq. ft. and larger and 70 or less for those smaller than 3,000 sq. ft., as well as compliance with the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist. Additions must meet the same performance requirements, whereas renovations will require a less stringent HERS rating (80 or 85 for homes 2,000 sq. ft. and larger or smaller, respectively). Both can also comply with ENERGY STAR for Homes prescriptive requirements, plus meet or exceed 2009 IECC insulation requirements.

Forty Massachusetts cities and towns have adopted the stretch energy code, as of May 14, 2010, an updated map is available here. A town or city which adopts the appendix must also provide energy code training to the building officials in its area. This requirement is supported by stimulus funded training on energy codes offered around the state on both residential and commercial IECC 2009 and stretch energy codes.

A concurrency period and a training policy were approved at the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) meeting on May 12. A concurrency period exists when either the new code or the existing code can be used, but not combined. The BBRS approved a concurrency period of six months, with such period to begin on either January 1 or July 1 of any year.

Green Communities

Another effort to empower communities is the Green Communities Grant Program. Under the purview of the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, this broader endeavor assists and motivates towns and cities throughout the state to improve their energy efficiency, reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, and develop renewable projects. Funding can be used for renewable/ alternative energy projects, such as solar photovoltaics, biomass, thermal, or hydro energy. Created as part of the Green Communities Act of July 2008 and funded by proceeds from Northeast's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), this Program will provide approximately $7 million in grants to municipalities who meet five criteria and qualify to be designated as a Green Community. The Green Communities Division officially launched the Green Communities Designation and Grant Program on January 22, 2010, opening the way for cities and towns to be designated as “Green Communities”.

Through state resources and with guidance made available by the Green Communities Division, municipalities who commit to reducing their energy demand, greening their energy supply, and addressing concerns about life-cycle costs by meeting five specific criteria will be eligible to receive grant funding through the Green Communities Grant Program. In June 2010, approximately $7 million dollars will be awarded to the municipalities who successfully fulfill the five criteria below:

Criterion #1: Provide as-of-right siting in designated locations for renewable/alternative energy generation, research & development, or manufacturing facilities

Criterion #2: Adopt an expedited application and permit process for as-of-right energy facilities

Criterion #3: Establish benchmark for energy use and developed a plan to reduce baseline by 20 percent within 5 years

Criterion #4: Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles

Criterion #5: Set requirements to minimize life-cycle energy costs for new construction

If interested in receiving email updates on the Green Communities program, please do so through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources sign up page.

Program Contacts

Mr. Mark Sylvia
Director, Green Communities Division
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street
Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-7339
Mark.Sylvia@state.ma.us
(Re: Green Communities Grant Program)

Mr. Ian Finlayson
Manager
Buildings and Climate Programs
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street
Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-4910
ian.finlayson@state.ma.us
(Re: Stretch Energy Code)