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1. What is the Stretch Energy Code?

    A:  The Stretch Energy Code is a voluntary amendment to the existing Massachusetts Base Building           Code.  The Stretch Energy Code can be adopted by the Town of Norfolk at an Annual or Special Town         Meeting.  The Stretch Energy Code applies to new residential construction and new commercial                   construction over 100,000 square feet in size (over 40,000 square feet if a high energy consumer, like         supermarkets, labs and refrigerated spaces). 

 

2. How many communities in Massachusetts have adopted the Stretch Energy Code?

    A: There are 351 communities in Massachusetts and 210 of them have adopted the Stretch Energy             Code.

 

3. What is "Green Community" Designation?

    A:  "Green Community" is a designation granted by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources     (DOER) to those communities that have made a commitment to energy efficiency in building                         construction. There are five criteria that a community needs to satisfy to be granted “Green Community”     status.  Norfolk has satisfied four of the five criteria.  The only remaining criterion is adoption of the               Stretch Energy Code.

 

4. How many communities in Massachusetts have been designated as a "Green Community"      since the inception of the Green Communities Act in 2008?

    A:  Of the 351 communities in Massachusetts, 185 communities have received “Green Community”             designation from DOER.

 

5. Why should Norfolk become a Green Community?

    A:  DOER oversees the Green Community Program.  This Program awards a

   "Designation Grant" of $125,000 to those communities that achieve "Green Community" status from               DOER.  Annually, after being designated a Green Community, such Green Communities are eligible to         submit grant applications to DOER for energy efficiency improvement projects.  Such grants are                   awarded annually and can be valued at up to $250,000.  The Green Communities Act was established       in 2008 and Norfolk has never participated in this program.   Norfolk, because of its failure to adopt the       Stretch Energy Code and become a Green Community, has "left on the table" approximately $1 million in     lost opportunity revenue since 2008.  DOER has awarded $79 million to Green Communities since 2008.

 

6. What types of projects have Green Communities used their funding for?

    A: Some examples of projects communities have embarked on are: 

• Updating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in public buildings.

• Replacement of incandescent lighting with LED lighting.

• Building insulation upgrades.

• Evaluation of steam traps and valves and their insulation systems.

 

Reference:  http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/green-communities/                            

 

Norfolk Energy Committee:

Andy Bakinowski (Chairman)

Larry Sullivan (508-528-2567)

Jim Wilkinson (508-541-7886

Emre Schveighoffer (508-530-3515)                                                                                 10/26/2017