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Supporting H.2865, An Act to Establish a Net Zero Energy Stretch Code.
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Official Text
WHEREAS: In 2009, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to adopt an above-code appendix to the “base code” for building energy requirements, commonly referred to as the “stretch code”; and
WHEREAS: The “stretch code”, which municipalities may optionally choose to adopt, is designed to result in cost-effective construction that is more energy efficient than that which is built to the mandatory “base code” standards; and
WHEREAS: Requirements in the “stretch code” were considerably stronger than those in the “base code” when first adopted, but the “base code” has caught up over time as the “stretch code” has not changed significantly; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulation and Standards (BBRS) will vote on adjustments to the “base code” this year, and the board has an opportunity to significantly improve the “stretch code” as part of that process to include Net Zero building construction; and
WHEREAS: Exploring the feasibility of a net-zero energy or net-zero emissions performance standard is an action item in the Somerville Climate Forward climate action plan, as building energy use is responsible for the majority of the city’s emissions that cause climate change; and
WHEREAS: Imposing net-zero requirements will be made much simpler if the state adopts a net-zero stretch energy code that Somerville could subsequently adopt; and
WHEREAS: H.2865, “An Act to Establish a Net Zero Energy Stretch Code”, would establish a net-zero energy stretch code through the legislature; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in urging the BBRS to update the “stretch code” to require net-zero building construction; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in support of H.2865, “An Act to Establish a Net Zero Energy Stretch Code”; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED: That Somerville’s City Council, in session assembled, hereby adopts this Resolution with a copy forwarded to John Couture, Chair of BBRS; Kerry Dietz, Vice-Chair of BBRS; Governor Charlie Baker; House Speaker Robert DeLeo; Senate President Karen Spilka; as well as all members of Somerville’s State House Delegation.