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This should be a super quick email.


The City of San Luis Obispo is proposing an innovative and impactful Clean Energy Program for New Buildings. They're called reach codes and they're going to encourage (not require) developers to build new homes all electric. It's safer, it's cleaner and it prevents lots of greenhouse gas emissions, getting us closer to our 2035 carbon neutrality goal.

It's being strongly opposed by a fossil fuel funded form writing campaign. The Council is sticking their neck out there right now and needs to hear from supportive residents. That's you.

You can help by doing one of two very easy things.
  1. This one only takes about 2 minutes: Click here to send the Council a message of support for the proposal. "I support the proposed reach codes" is actually enough, but read on for the good stuff you can include if you want.
  2. Get thee to the Sept. 3 City Council Meeting and grab a speaker slip!


That's it. If you've already done #1 or put #2 on your calendar, then you're done!

Thank you.

Need to know more? Watch this video, visit our action web page, and/or scroooolll down...

Our Why Electrify? event last Thursday was a huge success. Hundreds of residents, architects and builders came out to hear these four energy experts talk about the necessity and the benefits of all electric homes. See more pics.

better buildings = better future

Okay, so if you're still reading you must want to know more about these reach codes. What they are and what they will do. We've gotcha covered there too. Read on...

Your questions answered...

What is a reach code?

Every three years, cities and counties across the state adopt the new Building Standards Code (Standards) or Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Cities and counties may adopt building codes more advanced than those required by the state, which are known as reach codes.
Why does the city want these reach codes?

Put simply, it gets us closer to our goal to be carbon neutral by 2035.

The benefits of greenhouse gas free (GHG) electricity can best be realized by electrification of new and existing buildings. Electrifying buildings transitions them away from the use of natural gas to clean energy provided to us starting in January by our Community Choice program, Monterey Bay Community Power.

By developing electrification reach codes, San Luis Obispo can save energy and reduce GHG emissions... and get closer to our goal of carbon neutrality by 2035.

All-electric buildings are safer and healthier and cheaper, especially when adopted at the new construction stage.
Okay, what does this reach code do?

It gives developers of new homes an extra nudge to build without running gas pipes.

With this ordinance, builders will have a choice to either:
  1. Build their new homes all-electric, or
  2. Build with natural gas and electricity while making sure to run electrical wires to every appliance location so the homeowner can switch to electric if they choose. Also, they will have to pay to retrofit an older house to natural gas instead.
Sounds nice, but why now?

The state is updating it's codes on the 3 year cycle and the decline is near... and SLO is about to build literally hundreds of new homes.

With substantial amounts of residential and commercial development ready to be built, the City is encouraging new developments to avoid costly fossil fuel infrastructure and to take advantage of modern, highly efficient and highly functional electrical appliances. In light of recent findings that natural gas, which is mostly methane, is contributing to the climate crisis at much higher rates than previously understood, and recent findings that indoor combustion of natural gas can lead to unhealthy indoor air quality, the Clean Energy Choice Program, will encourage new buildings to run entirely on clean, electric energy.

Why should I support this?

In short, it's good for our health, our environment and our pocketbooks.
  • Starting in January, all local homes and businesses (unless they opt out of MBCP) will begin to utilize electricity that is fully carbon-free: from wind, solar, and hydro sources
  • However, most homes and businesses will still use natural gas for space and water heating and cooking – resulting in one-fourth of all GHG emissions in our area.
  • New buildings that utilize natural gas versus clean electricity will generate additional GHG emissions for decades – counter to local climate action goals
  • For a healthier environment and to combat climate change, California and our community has set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2035, the most ambitious plan in the country!
  • According to the City, over 50 other communities around California are reviewing similar ways to support building decarbonization.
Just like with Measure G, we can expect well-funded outside voices spreading misinformation, so we need your help to assure this community knows the facts. The Clean Energy Choice Program ensures all new buildings are healthier, safer, more affordable, and lower carbon; preventing new development from polluting the air in our homes and community.

Aren't all-electric homes more expensive?

Well, no. Gas is pretty cheap now but it's getting more expensive and electricity is getting cheaper. 
  • By avoiding the installation of costly fossil fuel infrastructure, and in-building piping and ventilation ($5k to $15k per home), all electric new buildings are typically more affordable to build, and thanks to the state mandated solar requirement for residential buildings, you'll save even more.
  • Using gas in your home and workplace is getting more expensive - SoCalGas has proposed rate increases of 30-45 percent over the next three years
  • And it won’t end there, new research shows gas rates escalating for residential customers for decades to come in California. 
  • Electrification can help to shield customers - especially lower-income communities - from the volatile prices of fossil fuels.
  • Experts estimate savings between $130 – $540 per year for all-electric new construction compared to homes that burn gas. 
  • Developers can build more quickly and affordably by avoiding gas hookups - which lowers the price of the home while also providing long-term energy savings to the homeowner. 

This supposed to be better for my health?

That is, unless you like breathing noxious fumes in your home. 
  • Burning gas in home appliances like furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves produces toxic pollutants that are bad for our health. 
  • We burn as much gas in our homes and buildings as we do in our power plants, but our power plants have pollution controls - our homes do not, leaving us vulnerable to dangerous air pollution and health impacts.
  • For decades, California has been battling poor air quality. Transitioning off of gas will not only limit toxic emissions and major sources of harmful chemicals, it will cut the amount of pollutants that people breath indoors - protecting everyone in their homes. 

Tell me again how this helps with climate change?

It will prevent hundreds of homes from ever burning any natural gas, which keeps many pounds of carbon out of our atmosphere. 
  • In California, buildings account for 25 percent of our total emissions - second only to transportation as the leading source of climate pollution. 
  • We burn as much gas in our homes and buildings as we do in our power plants. 
  • The fossil fuels we burn in our homes have worse climate impact than coal due to the leakage caused from fracking and transportation of fossil fuel gas.

Wow, this is really interesting stuff!
Where can I learn more?

Welcome to being an energy geek. We're happy to share the love!

Amazing! How can I help?

  • Scroll to the top of this email and read it again :)
View & Subscribe to our Event Calendar
The next public Climate Coalition meeting is Thursday, September 19th. We invite you to attend our meeting to see what we're up to and what you might be able to do to help SLO become carbon free by 2035: the most ambitious goal of any city in the United States!

6:30 - 9pm
Ludwick Community Center
864 Santa Rosa St
San Luis Obispo, CA  93401

Click here for more meeting dates
Copyright © 2019 SLO Climate Coalition, All rights reserved.


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