Marion’s Energy Management Committee will hold a public information session regarding the Town’s proposed adoption of the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Building Code at Fall Town Meeting on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Music Hall.

The Stretch Code requires a slightly higher standard of energy efficiency over that of the Base Building Code. According to officials, this standard would only apply to the construction of new residential homes and commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet. Renovations and additions would not be affected. Additional energy efficiency measures would add about $2,000 to the average cost of a new home which would then be recouped in only a few years through savings in energy costs.

By adopting the Stretch Code, Marion would meet one of the five criteria necessary to become a designated Green Community. The Town has already met two of the criteria and progress toward the remaining standards is underway. Becoming a Green Community would the door to about $20 million per year in state grant funds to pay for energy-efficient upgrades to municipal buildings.

Funding for this program does not come from taxes but from a fee on all electric bills. Neighboring Green Communities have already received substantial funding from this program—Acushnet $500,000, Dartmouth $220,000, Lakeville $550,000 and New Bedford over $600,000.  69 percent of municipalities in Massachusetts have already adopted the Stretch Code and 210 municipalities have become Green Communities.

For more information on the Stretch Code and Green Communities Program, visit www.mass.gov/guides/becoming-a-designated-green-community.