Selectmen reluctant to support Stretch Energy Code

Selectmen are reserved and at first glance reluctant to support the second of two Green Team-supported town meeting articles that would establish new construction codes to meet energy efficiency standards for newly constructed homes, extensively rehabilitated homes, and new commercial construction.

Selectmen did favor the Green Team’s zoning article that proposes an expansion of the solar park around the entire former landfill on Pine Street. Boston-based Southern Sky Renewable Energies is already planning to install 24,000 solar panels over a 15-acre portion of the site that would make it the largest solar farm in New England. The facility is expected to generate more than $16 million in lease payments and energy savings over a period of 25 years.

Both of the articles were proposed by the newly created Green Team, which advises selectmen and the town on sustainability and energy-related matters.

Green Team member Karl Waldman presented both articles before selectmen recently and said that more than 50 communities across the state have adopted the Stretch Energy Code, but that the state itself has not adopted the codes, which bothered selectmen Bob Burr and Avril Elkort.

All five selectmen agreed they wanted more quantitative information on what the new energy codes would entail and what the additional costs would be to home and business owners. Elkort said she does not like the idea of imposing something on residents that the state has not yet approved.

Waldman said adopting the codes would allow for additional grant opportunities and more bargaining power with the state on adopting the codes on a statewide basis.

Waldman said there would be additional upfront costs for homeowners, but assured selectmen that with energy savings and rebates, homeowners would save money within a year of the new construction. Commercially, he said, 90 percent of companies now constructing new buildings already exceed Stretch Energy Code standards.

Click here for more on the Green Team.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Mar 17 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.