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Connecticut’s homebuilding industry is pushing back against efforts to mandate more energy efficiency in new buildings as a way to combat climate change.

WNPR reports that the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut is opposing efforts to add an optional “stretch” building code to state law that would cover new or heavily renovated buildings over 40,000 square feet in size. The code would require these buildings use 10 percent less energy per square foot than current state building code and could be adopted by individual towns.

The association fears some high-cost towns would use the code as a way to keep out development, WNPR reports, however evidence from other states’ energy-efficiency efforts suggest that the cost of building greener is declining significantly.

After transportation, the commercial building sector is one of the largest contributors to Connecticut’s carbon emissions, the Lamont administration says, largely thanks to fossil fuel-burning heating and cooling systems.

A recent report from the National Association of Home Builders estimates current materials shortages are adding tens of thousands of dollars to the purchase price of the average new home.