Westford Rejects “Specialized Energy Code”: Here’s Why

On Saturday, March 22nd, the people of Westford defeated Article 20: a proposed “specialized energy code” that would have coerced homeowners to electrification of all newly constructed homes by making the homeowners’ preferred-heating choices more expensive.

This is part of a “pilot program” that 48 out of 351 municipalities have signed onto. Other municipalities should keep their eyes open to this agenda coming from climate-change alarmists and powerful profit-driven special interests who are trying to chase down a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The specialized energy code is a critical component of their plan.

Instead of a free-market energy economy where people can choose what kind of energy they want to use, whether it be electric, gas, oil, solar, or even a wood-burning stove, homeowners and businesses would be compelled to use all-electric energy with supplementation of solar panels under the premise that it would be cheaper to pre-wire homes now than to install wiring later.

All multi-family structures would be required to use “passive“ construction standards that would only be acceptable if a costly “passive certification process” is passed.

Particularly egregious is the provision that makes any subsequent changes to the code automatic. If there is an amendment to the code in the future, the people have no more say and would be obligated to comply. Could there be an amendment that requires all-electric wiring for additions like a remodeled kitchen using a gas stove or a laundry room with a gas dryer? Could there be an amendment that would require pre-wiring and solar panels on the home before you sell it? We do not know. There are no guarantees that the code would not change in the future.

At the Westford Town Meeting, the proposal was rejected by a vote of 165 to 137, thanks to a grassroots effort of concerned citizens. Not all the town officials were for the specialized energy code either. Against it were the Economic Development Committee by a vote of 6-1-1, the Zoning Board of Appeals 5-0, and the Permanent Town Building Committee 5-0-1.

To meet code requirements, the National Association of Homebuilders estimates that construction and inspection costs for new homes would add about $31,000 to the price of a home. Many homeowners are already strapped with high electric bills this year. And, with an affordable-home crisis, this expensive energy code would only make homes more out-of-reach and produce more homelessness.

There are environmental downsides and costs incurred for every form of energy, including “green energy”. One downside is capacity to meet energy needs of consumers. National Grid in Massachusetts has indicated that it would require over 20 years to increase the electrical capacity needed for proposed conversions.

While Individual homeowners may wish to pay the added expense of building their own “passive-energy homes” or adding solar panels to their rooftops, these decisions should be voluntary. The American free-market economy provides the best factor in determining optimal energy solutions. Supply and demand is carefully calibrated to the needs and pocketbooks of the people while, at the same time, giving an array of choices, not restrictive mandates.