Committee Eyes Second Attempt At Energy Code Adoption

ORLEANS – An article to adopt a specialized energy code narrowly failed with town meeting voters two years ago. Now the town’s energy and climate action committee is ready to bring it back for consideration.

Last week, the committee’s chair, John Londa, made the case to the select board for bringing the matter back before voters at the upcoming Nov. 17 special town meeting. Londa said adoption of the specialized code is the last box the town needs to check off in order to be recognized as a “climate leader community” by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, one of the select board’s goals.

Londa said if the article passes in November, Orleans would join other Lower and Outer Cape communities including Eastham, Truro and Wellfleet in earning the climate leader designation.

“Orleans, like those other communities, is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, erosion and storm damage, and becoming a climate leader community demonstrates the commitment to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” he told the board.

The committee’s first attempt at adopting the specialized code failed at the special town meeting in October 2023, falling just 10 votes shy of passing, 189-179. Some argued at the meeting that adopting the specialized code would stunt the town’s efforts to create more affordable housing, while others feared that the expanded code would infringe upon their rights as property owners. 

The specialized code was developed through the passage of the Climate Act of 2021 to “ensure new construction that is consistent with Massachusetts greenhouse gas limits,” according to language on the Mass.gov website. 

But the question Aug. 6 was whether or not a new article will fare better with voters in November. Orleans resident Lynn Bruneau noted that the proposed article as currently drafted is the same as the one that went to town meeting in 2023.

Bruneau said the key in the next few months will be taking steps to educate the public about the article and the specialized code, similar to steps the town took to educate people on issues such as short-term rental registration. That includes getting input from local architects and building professionals about adopting the code.

“So I would encourage you to listen to the energy and climate action committee tonight, but then take the time to learn more to get the education before you move forward,” she told the board.

Londa said revisions made to the specialized code earlier this year bring it closer to the stretch energy code that the town already has in place. 

“The specialized code and the stretch energy code are the same for construction of new electrified residential and commercial buildings,” he said.

Londa said the specialized code would apply to both residential and commercial properties that rely on mixed fuel. Small residences would be required to be rewired for electrification and include a small solar component to help offset fossil fuels. 

“How small are we talking about for solar? Four kilowatts, roughly 10 to 12 panels,” he said.

Adoption of the specialized code is one of six criteria the town needs to fulfill in order to achieve climate leader status. Other requirements, including being a green community of good standing, having a clean energy committee, preparing a climate action plan and “municipal decarbonization roadmap,” and adopting a “zero emissions vehicle first policy,” have either been met or are in the process of being met.

Achieving climate leader status would open the town up to significant grant possibilities, Londa said, including a $150,000 decarbonization tech support grant to design clean energy projects for one or more facilities. The town also would be eligible for a decarbonization accelerator grant of up to $1 million that could be applied to projects designed to “significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

But town officials echoed Bruneau’s comments about the need for an extensive educational effort ahead of November’s fall session.

“What is the campaign? Because as you heard in public comment, whenever an article fails, there’s a high hill to climb,” Select Board Chair Kevin Galligan said.

Londa said the energy committee is ready to perform “robust community outreach” ahead of the special town meeting. That could include meetings before the affordable housing committee, planning board and finance committee as well as a public presentation and discussion hosted by the Orleans Citizens Forum. Assistant Town Manager Mark Reil, who has been working closely with the energy committee, added that the “educational component” is the committee’s primary focus ahead of the fall town meeting.

“Talking with neighbors, setting up community events, working with staff to build a strategy around communication for this,” he said.

But select board member Andrea Reed said that the work of providing information and education around the proposed article should not fall squarely on the shoulders of the energy committee, noting that the select board has a role to play as well.

“I don’t want to leave this group hanging out there thinking that the select board isn’t part of this, seeing how as a community we’ve already said this is our goal,” she said.

“I was supportive in the past, and I still am,” said Michael Herman of the select board. “I think this is great. I think we can bring articles back after a period of time. A couple of years is not a problem.”