Residential Conservation Services (RCS)

Regulations & Statutes governing residential energy efficiency programs in Massachusetts

The Residential Conservation Services (“RCS”) statute (M.G.L. c.164 App.§§2-1 to 2-10), signed into law in 1980, created the framework for residential in-home energy efficiency services around which Massachusetts’ nation-leading programs are built. On April 7^th, 2017, amendments to the RCS regulation (225 CMR 4.00) were promulgated, completing a multi-year process undertaken by DOER to update the regulation.

RCS Regulations & Statutes

The goals of the update are to better integrate efficiency and renewable energy opportunities and provide more consistent, comprehensive services to Massachusetts residents regardless of the fuel being used to heat a building or the number of units in a building. Furthermore, the revised regulation seeks to ensure that contractors provide quality work to customers and have a transparent path into and out of the RCS program. The revision also streamlined the regulation, clarifying the responsibilities of both DOER and regulated parties. 

The RCS statute requires DOER to create a State Plan to further implement the RCS program. Currently, the State Plan is set forth in the form of a Guideline that clarifies the RCS regulation.

On February 20, 2019, DOER published a final Guideline interpreting 225 CMR 4.00 (RCS).

DOER has begun the process of implementing the new RCS guidelines.  Please send questions about and feedback related to RCS to [e-mail].

 

Residential Conservation Services statute  (M.G.L. ch. 164 App. §2) 

RCS Regulations (225 CMR 4.00 )

Department of Public Utilities RCS Cost Recovery Regulation (220 CMR 7.00)

Final RCS Guideline - revised on February 20th, 2020

RCS Municipal Guideline Comments received on proposed changes to RCS Guideline - January 2020