Stretch Energy Code considered for warrant
Date: 1/24/2011
Jan. 24, 2011 By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
LONGMEADOW — The Select Board is still considering whether or not to add the Stretch Energy Code to the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on May 7.
According to Town Manager Robin Crosbie, while the warrant is far from being set, Stretch Energy is currently not on her list of proposed articles.
Select Board chair Rob Aseltine indicated that the board is still in the exploratory stages. The only recent discussion about the code, he said, occurred when the board hosted a member of the state's Green Community Division in order to learn more about the code itself.
"We're currently trying to schedule a forum for the town in order to educate everyone on what the code is," Aseltine said, adding that the Select Board hoped to host the forum before the Feb. 24 deadline for the submission warrant articles.
The Stretch Energy Code is a voluntary set of standards for new residential construction in an effort to increase energy efficiency in buildings.
According to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the code would require new residential buildings of three stories or less to meet an energy performance standard using the Home Energy Rating System3 (HERS). The HERS index scores a home on a scale where 0 is a zero-net-energy home and 100 is a code compliant new home, based on the 2006 code.
The Commonwealth's code requires a HERS index of 65 or less for new homes of 3,000 square feet or above, meaning the building uses 65 percent or less energy as a building following 2006 building codes. The code requires a HERS index of 70 or less for new homes below 3,000 square feet.
In an example of changes the code would require, new construction of outer walls would need 2-by-6-foot boards, as opposed to 2-by-4-foot boards in wall construction to make insulation areas deeper so buildings can have a higher rate of insulation.
Implementing the Stretch Energy Code is one step required in order to earn the distinction as a "green community." As a "green community," the town would be eligible for state grants for energy-related projects.
The code has been adopted in Pioneer Valley cities and towns, such as Springfield, Holyoke, Palmer and Easthampton. Voters in East Longmeadow and Agawam recently voted not to adopt the code.
