by jbs073010 e3 — August 2, 2010—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently recognized a team from Massachusetts for its leadership in working together to develop, write and ultimately get adopted the first state-level stretch building energy code in the country.
The Massachusetts Stretch Code Team, comprised of staff from Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, was presented with the Jeffrey A. Johnson Award on July 19, 2010 at Energy Codes 2010.
The team was recognized for its collaborative efforts in getting the stretch code adopted in Massachusetts. This historic adoption means that buildings designed and built to the new Massachusetts stretch code (known officially as Appendix 120.AA) will use approximately 20 percent less energy than a comparable building designed and built to the standard building code.
The new code has been designed as a local option code, meaning each community has the choice to adopt it or not. This ensures that municipalities have access to a stretch code while preventing the proliferation of different codes statewide. To date 44 communities in Massachusetts of all sizes and demographic backgrounds have adopted the stretch code, and the number is anticipated to rise again in the fall.
The stretch code for commercial buildings is based on the New Buildings Institute’s Core Performance Guide, which NEEP incorporated in its Model Progressive Building Energy Codes Policy. The policy provides guidelines for states to incorporate tougher energy codes into their code adoption process. The overall aim is to help lead to continual improvements in building practices such that by 2030, net-zero energy buildings should comprise the majority of new construction.
