Seekonk Working to be Designated a Green Community

Members of the Board of Selectmen (BOS) along with the Seekonk Energy Committee are working to have Seekonk designated as a “Green Community” by the state of Massachusetts. Designation as a Green Community guarantees the town a grant of about $150K in the first year to be used for energy conservation projects in Town facilities. In future years the town can apply for up to $250K per year. These projects would reduce the towns energy usage and save money as well as reducing Seekonk’s carbon footprint. As of January 2017, 185 communities in Massachusetts were designated as “Green Communities” and they have received almost $80 million dollars for energy efficiency projects since 2010.

To be designated as a “Green Community”, the town must meet 5 Criteria.

1. Adopt a renewable energy right-of-siting zoning overlay District.
2. Have the Seekonk town Counsel certify that there are no local permitting processes that would prevent approval of a solar project in the overlay District within one year.
3. Develop a five-year plan to reduce energy usage in town facilities by 20%. 
4. Institute a policy to buy energy efficient town vehicles. Police vehicles, Fire trucks, emergency response vehicles, DPW trucks, etc. are exempt from this. 
5. Adopt the State’s Advanced Energy Efficiency Building Code (referred to as the Stretch Energy Code). 

The BOS and the Seekonk Energy Committee are working to implement all of these items. Item 5 requires a General By-Law change by a Town meeting vote. To be eligible for 2018 grant money the Town must complete all 5 items before mid-November. The grants will be used to reduce the Town’s energy usage by 20%.

What is the Stretch Code and It’s Impact?

In accordance with State Law and the current Seekonk Building Code By-Law the Town must follow the State Base Energy Code. By statute, Massachusetts updates this Energy Code every three years. The latest update to the State Base Energy Code adopted new energy efficiency requirements and became effective January 1, 2017,

The State allows towns to adopt a more energy efficient Stretch Energy Code. As of Jan 1, 2017 there are minimal differences between the Stretch Energy Code and the Base Energy Code.

The impact of the “Stretch” Energy Code as of Jan 1, 2017 can be summarized as follows:
The Stretch Code has all the same material requirements as the Baseline Code. The Stretch Code requires a 3rd party energy expert to conduct performance tests to certify the building energy efficiency for new residential construction and commercial construction over 100,000 sq. ft. These new buildings qualify for Mass Save energy efficiency program incentives. After incentives, the Stretch Code will likely save the owner money on new construction costs and certifies energy cost saving for life of the new building. The Stretch Code does not apply to any renovations or additions to existing structures. As of August 2017, 204 Massachusetts communities have adopted the Stretch Code.

Before voting on the Stretch Code the Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing explaining the details and allowing for people to have questions answered about the changes and impacts.  At the May 17 Meeting the BOS voted to coordinate with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to prepare for a Green Communities warrant article at the Fall Town Meeting. The Fall Town Meeting is set for November 13. The BOS will hold a Public Hearing on this prior to the Town Meeting.