Stretch Energy Code Development 2022

This page covers the Department of Energy Resources' process for updating the existing ‘Stretch Building Energy Code’ as well as the new ‘Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Energy Code’ according to the statutory requirement s most recently updated by the Climate Act of 2021

You can find links to the current 9th edition Massachusetts building energy code and stretch code at our Green Communities page and at the Office of Public Safety and Inspections and the integrated 2020 MA energy code book hosted by the International Code Council (ICC).

 

Release of Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) has released a Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code, for stakeholder review and comment. DOER held a virtual briefing on the Straw Proposal on Thursday February 8th, 2022 at 9:00 am EST.

DOER is seeking comment on this Straw Proposal and is holding geographically-targeted public hearings in late February/early March to receive verbal public comment. More information about the public hearings is posted to DOER's event page. DOER highly encourages written comments be submitted electronically to [e-mail] with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments.”

 

Deadline for public comment extended

The deadline for written comments on the Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code has been extended to 5 pm EST on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Written comments may also be submitted via mail to the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114, attention Nina Mascarenhas. 

Please sign up here to receive future updates on the Stretch Code. 

Additional Resources

Building Energy Code Straw Proposal and Information on the Specialized Stretch Code

February 8, 2020 Stretch Code Straw Proposal Webinar Recording

Summary of Stretch Code Study Energy Efficiency Analysis - Feb 2022

NEW! - Stretch Code Backup Information – Early Release

DOER utilized two expert consulting teams to analyze energy efficiency requirements to inform its update to the Stretch Energy Code.

The Stretch Energy Code Development Support Documentation page contains detailed documentation of assumptions and results on this analysis.

Additional Resources

Support Documentation Page

2022 Updates

Three Tiers of Energy Code in Massachusetts

Base Energy Code

As part of the Green Communities Act of 2008, Massachusetts is required to update its building code every three years to be consistent with the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In 2022 the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) plans an update of the full set of building codes to the MA 10^th edition based on the ICC 2021 model codes. This includes an update of the base energy code to the IECC 2021 with MA amendments.

Stretch Energy Code

DOER, in consultation with the BBRS, is updating the Stretch energy code that is a key requirement for municipalities that are Green Communities.

Municipal Opt-In ‘Net-Zero’ Specialized Stretch Code

A new climate-focused energy code option was created by the 2021 Climate Act.  DOER is developing this new code alongside the Stretch Energy Code update. However, the specialized code must also include:

• net-zero building performance standards
• a definition of net-zero building
• designed to achieve MA GHG emission limits and sub-limits including a 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels

Additional Resources

M.G.L. Ch. 143 §94 - Massachusetts Building Code

Public Hearing Recordings for New Specialized Stretch Code Straw Proposal

DOER held five virtual public hearings to receive comment on its Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code released on February 8th.

Interpretation services were provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Each listed hearing includes a link to the recording of the event.

Hearing Focus	Date
Western Region	March 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Metro Boston and Northeastern Region	March 3, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Environmental Justice Communities	March 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Central Region	March 7, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Southeastern Region	March 8, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 

DOER provided a brief presentation to respond to clarifying questions received in advance of the public hearing, however the majority of the time was reserved to hear public comments. 

2022-2023 Stretch Code Timeline

Spring 2022 

Following public outreach and input on the straw proposal, DOER plans to release an initial draft of the update to the Stretch Code and the new Specialized Opt-In Stretch Code language in Spring 2022. 

Summer 2022 

DOER will hold public hearings on the draft code language for the Stretch Code update and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Summer 2022 

Fall 2022 

After reviewing public comment, DOER will revise the code language as required and publish the final update to the Stretch Code and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Fall 2022 

 

Stretch Code In Massachusetts

299 The number of stretch code communities as of Jan 1, 2022, covering 90% of the state population.

51 The average HERS rating for new homes in MA in 2020

Last updated:	February 7, 2022