Stretch Energy Code Development 2022

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is seeking public input on its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code.

The most recent version of the Residential Stretch Energy code has been in place for more than a year (since Jan. 1, 2023) and the Commercial Stretch Energy code has been in place since July 1, 2023. The Specialized energy code has been available for local adoption since December 2022, and to date has been adopted by 33 cities and towns. Accordingly, DOER would like to hear feedback from users of these building energy codes.

We invite you to attend a Zoom listening session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 beginning at 2:00 pm. Anyone who wishes to speak will be allotted 3 minutes each for their comments. DOER will not be answering questions during this session. The listening session will remain open until all comments are heard, or until 5:00 pm, whichever is earlier. The listening session will be recorded and posted publicly. Please register in advance for the listening session using the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jCxgLHwqQguouISgtCw1xw.

Written comments are encouraged via email to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words “CODE COMMENTS” in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to: Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114. The deadline for written comments is Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm. All comments received will be posted publicly.

If you require language interpretation, please fill out the question provided in the registration link above. Please make requests for interpretation by March 20, 2024. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to email stretchcode@mass.gov. 

In September of 2023, DOER released a series of final Technical Guidance documents designed to inform and assist users in implementing the new Stretch and Specialized energy codes.  Guidance documents include: 

• Final Stretch and Specialized Code Guidelines, including: Attachment A (Envelope Performance and Thermal Bridge Derating), Attachment B (ASHRAE Appendix G Relative Performance Simulation Guidelines), Attachment C (Targeted Performance Simulation Guidelines), Schedule and Loads Supplement, and weather file.
• Stretch Energy Code Study Support
• Models conforming to TEDI Requirements

DOER’s Final Regulations 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00 were filed with the Secretary of State on December 9^th.

• Summary Document Explaining Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language
• 225 CMR 22.00 Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code
  • Redline from the June draft regulations: 225 CMR 22.00 Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Redline      
• 225 CMR 23.00 Commercial and other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code
  • Redline from the June draft regulations: 225 CMR 23.00 Commercial and other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Redline
• Joint DPL & DOER Guidance for Building Officials

Webinar Overview of the Final Code Language.

On November 2nd, DOER held a webinar to provide an overview of the updates to the Stretch Code and New Specialized code. Slides and a Webinar recording are provided for stakeholder review.

During the Summer of 2022, DOER sought feedback from the public on the Specialized Stretch Code Draft Regulatory Language, released on June 24, 2022, to inform final development of code language.  Feedback included three virtual public hearings and written comments.

Virtual Hearings

Interpretation services were provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Each listed hearing includes a link to the recording of the event.

Written Comments

DOER received over 700 written comments by the deadline. Public comments are posted here. 

On September 23^rd, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released final code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code:

• Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the TUE committee)
• Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the TUE committee)

On June 24^th, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code:

• Summary Document Explaining the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language
• Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the Secretary of State)
• Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the Secretary of State)

DOER’s Draft Regulations 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00 have been filed with the Secretary of State.

DOER is seeking public comments on the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Stretch Code Draft Regulation, released on June 24, 2022, to inform the final code language. Written comments will be accepted until 5 PM on August 12^th 2022.  Please submit written comments on the regulations electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words BUILDING CODE COMMENTS in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114.

Public Hearings

DOER will hold three public hearings to receive verbal feedback.

Interpretation services will be provided in American Sign Language, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese. For interpretation services in other languages, please email a request to stretchcode@mass.gov by August 1, 2022.

Webinar

DOER provided an overview of the draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code, along with responses to frequently asked questions, during a recorded webinar on July 7, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.

View the slides from the July 7, 2022 Stretch Code Information Webinar.

View the July 7, 2022 Stretch Code Information Webinar Recording.

During the Spring of 2022, DOER sought feedback from the public on the Specialized Stretch Code Straw Proposal released on February 8 to inform further development of the code.  Feedback included  five virtual public hearings and written comments.

Virtual Hearings

Interpretation services were provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Each listed hearing includes a link to the recording of the event.

Written Comments

DOER received over 1,200 written comments by the deadline. Public comments are posted here. 

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) has released a Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code, for stakeholder review and comment. DOER held a virtual briefing on the Straw Proposal on Thursday February 8th, 2022 at 9:00 am EST.

DOER is seeking comment on this Straw Proposal and is holding geographically-targeted public hearings in late February/early March to receive verbal public comment. More information about the public hearings is posted to DOER's event page. DOER highly encourages written comments be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments.”

Deadline for public comment extended

The deadline for written comments on the Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code has been extended to 5 pm EST on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Written comments may also be submitted via mail to the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114, attention Nina Mascarenhas. 

Please sign up here to receive future updates on the Stretch Code. 

The Technical Committee will review technical regulatory code language and provide ongoing support for reviewing any technical amendments to the code language in an advisory role to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The technical committee consists of members with strong subject matter expertise and knowledge of the building energy codes and best practices in low-carbon construction in both Massachusetts and around the country. Find the Technical Committee members and schedule at the Technical Committee Information Page.

DOER utilized two expert consulting teams to analyze energy efficiency requirements to inform its update to the Stretch Energy Code.

The Stretch Energy Code Development Support Documentation page contains detailed documentation of assumptions and results on this analysis.

Three Tiers of Energy Code in Massachusetts

Base Energy Code

As part of the Green Communities Act of 2008, Massachusetts is required to update its building code every three years to be consistent with the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In 2022 the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) plans an update of the full set of building codes to the MA 10^th edition based on the ICC 2021 model codes. This includes an update of the base energy code to the IECC 2021 with MA amendments.

Stretch Energy Code

DOER, in consultation with the BBRS, is updating the Stretch energy code that is a key requirement for municipalities that are Green Communities.

Municipal Opt-In ‘Net-Zero’ Specialized Stretch Code

A new climate-focused energy code option was created by the 2021 Climate Act.  DOER is developing this new code alongside the Stretch Energy Code update. However, the specialized code must also include:

• net-zero building performance standards
• a definition of net-zero building
• designed to achieve MA GHG emission limits and sub-limits including a 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels

Spring 2022 

Following public outreach and input on the straw proposal, DOER plans to release an initial draft of the update to the Stretch Code and the new Specialized Opt-In Stretch Code language in Spring 2022. 

Summer 2022 

DOER will hold public hearings on the draft code language for the Stretch Code update and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Summer 2022 

Fall 2022 

After reviewing public comment, DOER will revise the code language as required and publish the final update to the Stretch Code and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Fall 2022