Molly Ettenborough, Newburyport’s recycling coordinator, said she expected more opposition from builders and remodelers because of the higher costs. And Mike Berry with ICF International, who is conducting the workshops in cities across the state, described his efforts as the “Don’t Shoot the Messenger Tour.”

But the audience of about 100 builders – the largest crowd Berry has had at any of his workshops – seemed to take the proposed codes in stride. They asked questions seeking clarification on specific issues like fees for the required inspections, the impact of added insulation and how to reduce air leakage in fireplaces. No builder expressed strong opposition.

The Home Builders Association of Massachusetts opposed the state’s adoption of the stretch code because it feared the new codes would add costs to the average home construction and thus discourage new home construction.

Berry told the crowd who gathered at the Hilton Senior Center that it is likely that the Stretch Code standards will be mandated by the state in 2012. “These codes are here to stay,” he said.

And if the cities approve the stretch code early, they can apply for the grants. Newton was the first town to qualify as a Green Community. Two other towns have approved the stretch code, and several more are considering it.

Mike Staiti, owner of Keystone Development Corp., told the builders: “There is profit” in the stretch code. “You can up-sell the energy-efficiency features.” He said for custom home builders, “This is a no brainer.”

Newburyport is likely to consider adopting the new building codes this spring as part of its Green Communities compliance. Adopting the stretch code is voluntary for cities, but it is one of five criteria cities must meet to qualify to be a Green Community. If the city qualifies as a Green Community, it can apply before the May 28 deadline for energy efficiency and environmental grants.

City Building Inspector Gary Calderwood said the city could use the money from the increase in building permits. “City Hall needs a new boiler,” he said.

The stretch code is designed to save about 20 percent of the energy consumed by new and remodeled homes and commercial buildings. The new code would add an estimated $8,000 in costs for the typical new home and 1 to 3 percent more for commercial buildings. These costs would be recouped in higher energy savings and can be offset by a variety of rebates and tax incentives, according to state Board of Building Regulations and Standards.

Several of the Newburyport city councilors attended the workshop. At-large City Councilor Tom Jones, who works in construction, said last week he believes the stretch code could have "a devastating effect on an already devastated industry." Ward 5 Councilor Brian Derrivan said that he did not see the code as a benefit to the city. Said Derrivan: "We want to increase energy efficiency but [this is] at increased cost to everyone." Derrivan said that although it the code may become the "norm" by 2012, "now is not the time to adopt this code. People are sick of getting things shoved down their throats."

Newburyport would have to be designated a Green Community by May 14 to meet the grant deadline. Funding for the grants will come from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Gillian Swart contributed to this report.

Photo: Molly Ettenborough, Newburyport’s Recycling Coordinator, presided over the Stretch Code workshop at the Hilton Senior Center in Salisbury.

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The deadline is May 14th for this year's grants. It might be more reasonable to think we could meet the deadline to be a Green Community in the Fall. This might elleviate the "shoved down their throats" factor with more education of the public from now until then.
Also, I listened to Mr. Calderwood and I think he was refering to the City applying for a grant for a new boiler (a more energy effecient boiler) once we are a Green Community. Otherwise, I don't know what he was saying.

Joe C , March 05, 2010

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