By Emilia Wisniewski

Specialized stretch codes were unanimously supported by members of the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change during a January 10 meeting.

The code was released by the Department of Energy Resources as the third-tier to the state’s Stretch Building Energy Code to allow for more cost-effective and energy-efficient buildings, as well as reaching the state’s goal of reducing 50% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

“It’s a really exciting and necessary step to see the state take towards net-zero 2050 goals,” said Christine Blais, director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Environment.

Since 2010, municipalities could adopt either the base energy code or the stretch code, with Somerville having been a stretch code community since June 2011.

The specialized code offers three pathways – zero-energy, all-electric pathway or mixed-fuel – that residential buildings need to comply with. It also applies to both new construction projects and existing buildings, said commissioner Liz Galloway.

“That was a big difference between the old stretch code, which only applied to new construction, and the specialized opt-in code which now has requirements for existing buildings that are being upgraded as well,” said Galloway.

Somerville resident Ron Cavallo works as a developer outside of the city and said he thought the stretch codes were harming and disincentivizing small development by enforcing large restrictions.

“I consider myself a very progressive developer and do all the things that are available to make the things that we build very energy efficient,” Cavallo said. “(But) it has to make economic sense. The small developers have left the city, what is largely going on is large-scale commercial development. I think that’s wrong.”

Chair Larry Yu noted that Cavallo’s point was “an important one” and asked what he thought the commission should do to drive small development in Somerville.

The second-tier stretch codes were updated along with the specialized code, which added ventilation requirements, wiring to allow for electric vehicle charging and reduced Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) requirements, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

In a raise of hands, all seven present commission members moved to support a proposal to be made and presented to the City Council in favor of adopting the specialized stretch code.

Discussions of filling the vacancy of former commission member Aladdine Joroff and transitioning from online to in-person meetings, with a resounding opinion for a hybrid model, also took place during the meeting.

The next meeting for the Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change will take place on February 14.