Following a positive recommendation from the Green Communities Study Committee in August, Needham will  be considering adopting the Stretch Energy Code, a required step to becoming a Green Community.

Green Needham’s September meeting will feature an informational program explaining the stretch code. This amendment to the state’s existing building code, which may be adopted by cities and towns, requires new buildings and major renovations to be more energy efficient.

What would the adoption of the Stretch Code mean for you?  Green Needham’s program will provide an explanation of the code and, more importantly, offer the opportunity for building professionals, town officials and staff, and the general public to get their questions answered.

The lead presenter will be Greg Krantz, who has done in-depth Stretch Code meetings for communities who are about to make a decision.  He is a lead trainer for HERS raters and currently manages the Energy Star New Homes program for Massachusetts.  Also speaking will be John Keohane, a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater from Dedham who spoke to Needham’s Green Communities Study Committee last spring.

Adopting the stretch code is one step in the process of becoming a “Green Community,” a designation which would make Needham eligible for funding to support its energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and provide access to innovative energy programs as well as additional technical support and assistance from the Green Communities Division of the Commonwealth’s Department of Energy Resources.

Seventy-four Massachusetts cities and towns have already become Green Communities.