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ARTICLE · 24 OCTOBER 2022

DOER Issues An Updated Stretch Code – Are Net-Zero Energy Buildings Really Coming Soon?

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Massachusetts will soon see significant updates to the energy codes that govern the construction and alteration of buildings throughout the Commonwealth.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Kathleen Brill
Kathleen Brill
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Massachusetts will soon see significant updates to the energy codes that govern the construction and alteration of buildings throughout the Commonwealth. As required by the 2021 climate bill, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has recently finalized regulations updating the current Stretch Energy Code, previously promulgated by the state's Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), and establishing a new Specialized Code geared toward achieving net-zero building energy performance. The final code (summarized by DOER here) has been submitted to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy for review as required under state law.

Under the new regulations, each municipality must apply one of the following:

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