NYSERDA Releases Best Practice Guidelines To Advance More Resilient and Energy Efficient Buildings Statewide

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority released the the NYStretch Energy Code 2020 toolkit, which aims to aid municipalities interested in voluntarily adopting higher efficiency standards for new and renovated building construction projects, according to an October 10 press release.

The toolkit includes one-page fact sheets describing NYStretch and its benefits, a step-by-step adoption guide with model resolution language, estimated benefits and costs of meeting NYStretch for the most common new building construction projects, and frequently asked questions with responses. The toolkit is intended to aid municipalities in adopting higher efficiency standards in new and renovated construction projects in their community, according to the agency.

NYSERDA describes the stretch energy code as more efficient than the state’s base energy code. NYStretch includes measures such as improved window performance, reduced interior and exterior lighting power and controls, building energy use monitoring, renewable and electric vehicle readiness and mandatory mechanical ventilation for residential buildings. When implemented and enforced effectively, a more efficient energy code requires higher performance levels for homes and commercial buildings, reducing the amount of electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil used, leading to lower energy costs.

In addition to the toolkit, NYSERDA will provide direct, hands-on support to municipalities throughout the adoption and implementation process.

In July, Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation which requires a carbon-neutral power system by 2040 and codifies the state’s targets of 6 gigawatts of solar by 2025, 3 gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, and 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, the most aggressive in the nation.