Worcester Adopts New Stretch Energy Code For Building Construction

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester on Tuesday became the latest community in Massachusetts to adopt a new building code aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.

The so-called specialized stretch code applies only to new construction of commercial and residential buildings, and is an update on previous energy efficiency code completed in 2022 by the state Department of Energy Resources. The code may help the state meet a target of reducing energy emission by 50 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

The code requires new commercial or residential buildings to either use electricity for systems like heating and cooling and hot water heating, or pre-wire new buildings for future upgrades, like the addition of solar panels. New buildings can still use fossil fuels, but must offset those systems with solar and pre-wiring, among other requirements. About 20 communities in the state have adopted the stretch code since 2022.

Local residents went to Tuesday's meeting holding signs to support the stretch code, calling it a natural step following the adoption of the "Green Worcester Plan" in 2021.

Ted Conna, a member of the Green Worcester Advisory Committee, told councilors he spoke to planners in communities like Cambridge and Somerville that adopted the code within about five months. Even though the council adopted the code Tuesday, it won't be fully implemented for nine months.

City Manager Eric Batista had originally wanted to wait until 2025 to adopt the stretch code citing demands on city departments. The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce also wanted the adopted pushed to 2025. But Batista reversed in August and backed the July 1, 2024, implementation following outcry from activists during a summer that saw many climate disasters from Hawaii to Vermont and the Connecticut River Valley.

Several speakers at Tuesday's meeting representing real estate, biotechnology and building trades groups asked again for Worcester to delay implementation, citing construction costs and longer building timelines.

Jon Weaver, president of the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives incubator, said he was afraid the new code could mean lab buildings would have to shut down in below-zero temperature events. He also said the code might restrict the construction of new lab buildings, which are scarce in a state with a booming biotech industry.

Worcester Chief Sustainability Officer John Odell said the code still allows new buildings to use fossil fuels, which could provide backup during extreme cold events. Biotech hubs like Cambridge, Somerville and Boston have all adopted the stretch code, Odell said.

The Worcester City Council Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend the specialty stretch code implementation by July 1. Chair District 1 Councilor Sean Rose said Tuesday the committee did lots of homework on the issue before making the recommendation, including listening to comments from business groups and climate advocates.

At-Large Councilor Donna Colorio said she opposed adopting the code, fearing residents who wanted to build home additions would have to pay more.

"This is not something I feel totally comfortable voting for," she said.

At-Large Councilor Kate Toomey also expressed concern about National Grid's lack of involvement in Worcester's deliberation. Toomey said it made her uncomfortable to adopt a code that might burden the electrical grid without hearing from the region's electricity supplier.

Rose interjected to underscore that the specialty stretch code only applies to brand-new buildings, not home additions. Electrification can also help alleviate the grid, he said, when buildings use renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, a longtime proponent of adopting the code, said the new standards also help protect ratepayers from swings in natural gas rates. At the beginning of 2023, Worcester natural gas provider Eversource boosted winter rates about 23 percent, or close to $40 extra per month for the average user.

The final vote to adopt was 10-1 with Colorio the only no-vote.