Amendment #7 to H4912

Establishing a Net Zero Stretch Energy Code

Ms. Gouveia of Acton moves to amend the bill, as amended, by adding the following section:

SECTION XX. Chapter 25A of the General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after section 10 the following section:-

SECTION 10A. (a) For the purposes of this section “board” shall mean the board of building regulations and standards and “department” shall mean department of energy resources.

(b) The board, in consultation with the department, after sufficient time for public input, shall establish a definition for “net zero buildings” to be established not more than 1 year after enactment of this section; provided that said definition shall be used to update the current Stretch Energy Code in Appendix 115AA of the Massachusetts building energy code.

(c) The board in consultation with the department shall promulgate regulations that include the “net zero buildings” definition within Appendix 115AA of the Massachusetts building energy code or equivalent regulatory commitment to net zero standards as determined by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs; (d) The board in consultation with the department shall implement the following in achieving the goals of this section: (1) the development of an implementation plan for the adoption of a net zero building code as appropriate, such as phasing in net zero requirements based on building type or year a municipality adopted the Stretch Energy Code, with initial implementation of such plan commencing no later than three years following passage of this section and complete implementation no later than 2028; (2) accommodation to support the needs of environmental justice communities as defined in Executive Order 552 to help fund and achieve implementation within the above-referenced timeframe; and (3) consideration of the prioritization of local and regional renewable energy generation meeting Massachusetts Class I standards.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #7 to H4912

Establishing a Net Zero Stretch Energy Code