Lowell sustainability council hears DOER briefing on specialized stretch energy code; members split on cost and housing impacts

Dylan Patel, Green Communities coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, told the Lowell Sustainability Council on a guest briefing that the specialized stretch energy code applies only to new construction and is intended to support the Commonwealth’s Climate Act and net‑zero goals.

“The specialized stretch code…only impacts new buildings,” said Dylan Patel, adding that the code builds on the existing municipal stretch code by adding optional appendices that set higher performance pathways for some projects. Patel said about 55 municipalities have adopted the specialized code so far and described three compliance pathways: all‑electric construction (no change from the current specialized pathway), mixed‑fuel construction with required pre‑wiring for future electrification and on‑site solar, and a passive‑house pathway required for larger multifamily projects.

The council’s discussion focused on how the specialized code would affect Lowell. Patel said the code requires exemplary energy performance (passive house) for multifamily buildings greater than 12,000 square feet and generally requires pre‑wiring and on‑site solar where feasible for…