Hingham Considers Adopting Specialized Energy Code for New Construction

Climate Action Commission recommends opt-in building standards to help achieve net-zero emissions goals

HINGHAM, MA - October 8 - Hingham officials are weighing the adoption of a specialized energy code for new construction that would put the town on a path toward its climate goals. The Hingham Climate Action Commission and Energy Action Committee presented their recommendation to adopt the municipal opt-in specialized building code at the Oct. 8 Select Board meeting.

The proposed code, developed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, targets new construction with a focus on energy efficiency and efficient electrification. It aims to help communities achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal Hingham hopes to reach by 2040.

"This is a necessary step, but not sufficient," said Elliott Place, a member of the Hingham Climate Action Commission and Hingham Net Zero. "There are many other steps that we're going to need to take to really move significantly towards net zero by 2040."

The specialized code would apply to both residential and commercial new construction. For homes over 4,000 square feet, it would require a full solar array offset. Multifamily buildings over 12,000 square feet would need to meet passive house standards for energy efficiency.

Brad Moyer, representing the Climate Action Commission, explained that while the code doesn't mandate fossil fuel-free homes, it requires pre-wiring for future electrification.

"Far cheaper to wire the house when you're building it than try to retrofit it later," Moyer said. "If the Commonwealth is going to achieve a goal of net zero by 2050, eventually you're going to move to an electrification model."

The commission plans to bring the proposal to the 2025 town meeting for a vote. If approved, Hingham would join 46 other Massachusetts communities that have already adopted the specialized code.

Select Board members expressed interest in the proposal but raised questions about its potential impact on commercial development and construction costs.

"To what extent would you anticipate that if we went in this direction it would increase costs of construction associated with commercial buildings?" asked Select Board Chair Joe Fisher.

Moyer acknowledged the need for more detailed cost analysis, noting the challenge of balancing short-term costs with long-term savings. He promised to return with representative models and more specific data.

The proposal comes as Hingham explores commercial development opportunities in South Hingham to expand its tax base. Officials emphasized the importance of understanding how the new code might affect these efforts.

"I think it's important to loop in our business leaders and developers," said Select Board member Liz Klein.

Town Administrator Tom Mayo committed to working with the Commission and town staff to gather more information before a planned November presentation to the Select Board.

"We'll work with Patricia to help get a lot of this work done," Mayo said, referring to the town's sustainability coordinator. "I think we need to look closely at the towns, talk to a few of them. Specifically the comp towns, although that's not the purpose of that, but it's something we commonly do."

The Commission plans to hold public hearings both before and after submitting a warrant article for the 2025 town meeting.

Laurie Freeman, a new Climate Action Commission member, framed the specialized code as a toolkit for the community.

"It's just targeting new construction," Freeman said. "So we're not adding dirty climate warming machines and infrastructure to the town and not locking in new climate warming, sea level rising emissions."

As discussions continue, town officials will seek input from the building department, real estate community, and business leaders to fully understand the implications of adopting the specialized energy code.