13 20-0824 Subject: Proposed Reach Code For All- Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings
From: Pro Tem Kalb, Mayor Schaaf, Councilmember Bas And Planning And Building Department
Recommendation: Adopt The Following Pieces Of Legislation:
1) An Ordinance Amending The Oakland Municipal Code (O.M.C.) To Add Building And Construction Code Chapter 15.37 Entitled "All-Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings"; And Adopting CEQA Exemption Findings; And
This legislation is much needed to protect the environment, but I believe it needs to do more. I am asking for the following to be added to the legislation:
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock.
StopWaste is a public agency governed by a JPA that consists of the County of Alameda, 14 cities, and 2 sanitary districts. Oakland is a member of the JPA. We help to reduce waste and administer local and regional energy efficiency and electrification programs. Stopwaste’s Energy Council board of elected officials adopted electrification as a priority in 2016. We commended the adoption of Oakland’s ECAP, which includes measures on electrification as a means to achieve carbon neutrality and increase health and safety by removing gas combustion appliances. 39 jurisdictions in California, including many in the Bay Area and Alameda County, have electrification ordinances in place or are in the process of adopting them. Oakland’s proposed electrification ordinance is stronger than most, covering more new building types and having the greatest impact on GHG reductions. Implementation of this ordinance will help with the Energy Council’s electrification priority. There are many local and state resources available to aid in the design and construction of all-electric buildings, including:
-CPUC: BUILD program - Incentives to builders to construct all-electric homes AND SGIP program - Incentives for heat pump water heaters
-BayREN: Free trainings for local building department staff and private contractors on key aspects of code implementation and compliance, including electrification
-EBCE: Free all-electric design assistance program for MF new construction 4+ stories
I strongly support this measure. As an Oakland resident and HVAC engineer, I strongly urge the council members to pass this proposal. Please consider the dire need to take strong action against the climate crisis and the devastating affects it has on our communities both in the hills which are experiencing PSPS events fueled by climate change and the city and region which now regularly features smoke-filled weeks in the summer. In addition to being an effective climate measure, this will protect the health of residents through better indoor air quality and for our communities by removing the fatal risk of gas pipeline failures. The City Administrator Reskin's report makes a clear case for all-electric construction in new buildings. Our electric energy source will only get cleaner over time and while ultimately cost effective now through the savings of avoided gas infrastructure, the new interest in all-electric appliances will continue to come down in cost as well as become a boon to the city's building trades which will have early knowledge on all-electric design.
I would like to make comment that while this item it is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and reduce utility bills, it does not go far enough to ensure a just transition for those impacted.
In order to do so, please add the following;
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock
Thank you.
In order to ensure a just transition, please add the following:
Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock
As an Oakland resident and professional in the clean energy field, I strongly urge the councilmembers to pass this proposal. Please consider the dire need to take strong action against the climate crisis and the devastating affects it has on our communities. In addition to being an effective climate measure, this will protect the health of residents through better indoor air quality and by removing the fatal risk of gas pipeline failures. The City Administrator’s report makes a clear case for all-electric construction in new buildings. I wholeheartedly agree with all the points raised.
Emily Kehmeier
Resident, District 3
Yes, but this does not go far enough to ensure a just transition for members of our community who will be potentially impacted.
Please add the following to the legislation:
- Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
- Annual reports to the public tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
- Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock.
Yes as long as we get to exploit other smaller poorer countries to build this
"Green" equipment. It's gotta be cheap to build... So those non nuclear powered Nations will build it.
PG&E Stocks have gone up... Electricity will cost x4 more to keep You Warm.
Plus the need for Your Solar Panel to recharge Your Google Power Station. Which capacity will need to Double,
Hey with Global Warming there will be more Sun in the Drought Years.
Carbon Taxes... Oxygen Taxes Coming. SMH.
This is Premature. Great Profits though. You think there won't be exploitation of other smaller poorer Countries? Unless there could be small Nuclear Reactors as Backup, That is all this law promises.
The Homeless will be Jailed for Burning to Keep Warm... "A GREEN WORLD" Needs more thought. This Plan is profit driven without a real solution.
This is just one of many steps needed to curb our role in climate change, but it's no less important because of that. I urge the councilmembers to think of the long term health of our planet and pass this proposal as is
As a homeowner and parent of Oakland, I urge the Council to pass the “All-Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings" ordinance. The city of Oakland adopted a resolution last year declaring a Climate Emergency and committing itself to act as though there is an emergency. We need to begin taking strong, visionary actions to address climate change in this city and to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, and this Ordinance is one way to do so. Please think of our future and the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren, and pass the “All-Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings" ordinance as it stands with no weakening amendments or changes.
Kelly Hamel
Resident, District 6
Dear Councilmembers,
This legislation is an essential next step in Oakland’s actions to address climate change, make buildings safer and improve indoor air quality.
The proposed legislation is consistent with Action B-1 of the 2030 ECAP and the City’s 2045 carbon neutrality target. Eliminating natural gas in buildings is necessary to achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions that keep global warming below the 1.5-deg. C target of the Paris Climate Accord.
Omitting natural gas infrastructure from new buildings avoids construction costs that are better used for maximizing the use of renewable electricity that is available now from East Bay Community Energy at a reasonable cost. The Staff Report before you affirms that it is now practical to use induction stoves for commercial cooking.
Buildings that are affected by this legislation will be standing long after the dates of several important greenhouse gas emissions goals. Since Oakland cannot meet its climate goals without shifting away from natural gas, now is the right time to omit natural gas use from new building construction.
The transition to all-electric buildings will have some challenges. Still, it remains important to approve the proposed legislation now to improve safety, mitigate climate change, and improve indoor air quality. Oakland can join at least 39 other jurisdictions in California who are creatively solving these challenges. Please adopt the proposed legislation.
Dear Councilmembers,
This legislation is much needed to protect the environment, but I believe it needs to do more. I am asking for the following to be added to the legislation:
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock.
Noah Tenney
Resident, District 2
StopWaste is a public agency governed by a JPA that consists of the County of Alameda, 14 cities, and 2 sanitary districts. Oakland is a member of the JPA. We help to reduce waste and administer local and regional energy efficiency and electrification programs. Stopwaste’s Energy Council board of elected officials adopted electrification as a priority in 2016. We commended the adoption of Oakland’s ECAP, which includes measures on electrification as a means to achieve carbon neutrality and increase health and safety by removing gas combustion appliances. 39 jurisdictions in California, including many in the Bay Area and Alameda County, have electrification ordinances in place or are in the process of adopting them. Oakland’s proposed electrification ordinance is stronger than most, covering more new building types and having the greatest impact on GHG reductions. Implementation of this ordinance will help with the Energy Council’s electrification priority. There are many local and state resources available to aid in the design and construction of all-electric buildings, including:
-CPUC: BUILD program - Incentives to builders to construct all-electric homes AND SGIP program - Incentives for heat pump water heaters
-BayREN: Free trainings for local building department staff and private contractors on key aspects of code implementation and compliance, including electrification
-EBCE: Free all-electric design assistance program for MF new construction 4+ stories
I strongly support this measure. As an Oakland resident and HVAC engineer, I strongly urge the council members to pass this proposal. Please consider the dire need to take strong action against the climate crisis and the devastating affects it has on our communities both in the hills which are experiencing PSPS events fueled by climate change and the city and region which now regularly features smoke-filled weeks in the summer. In addition to being an effective climate measure, this will protect the health of residents through better indoor air quality and for our communities by removing the fatal risk of gas pipeline failures. The City Administrator Reskin's report makes a clear case for all-electric construction in new buildings. Our electric energy source will only get cleaner over time and while ultimately cost effective now through the savings of avoided gas infrastructure, the new interest in all-electric appliances will continue to come down in cost as well as become a boon to the city's building trades which will have early knowledge on all-electric design.
Tim Minezaki
District 1
I would like to make comment that while this item it is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and reduce utility bills, it does not go far enough to ensure a just transition for those impacted.
In order to do so, please add the following;
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
-Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock
Thank you.
In order to ensure a just transition, please add the following:
Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
Annual reports to the public, tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock
As an Oakland resident and professional in the clean energy field, I strongly urge the councilmembers to pass this proposal. Please consider the dire need to take strong action against the climate crisis and the devastating affects it has on our communities. In addition to being an effective climate measure, this will protect the health of residents through better indoor air quality and by removing the fatal risk of gas pipeline failures. The City Administrator’s report makes a clear case for all-electric construction in new buildings. I wholeheartedly agree with all the points raised.
Emily Kehmeier
Resident, District 3
Yes, but this does not go far enough to ensure a just transition for members of our community who will be potentially impacted.
Please add the following to the legislation:
- Annual reports to the public, tracking the demographics of job creation resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
- Annual reports to the public tracking the displacement of residents and businesses resulting from the ordinance, which are subject to annual public hearings.
- Language stating that the electrification mandate cannot affect low-income housing unit requirements or stock.
Yes as long as we get to exploit other smaller poorer countries to build this
"Green" equipment. It's gotta be cheap to build... So those non nuclear powered Nations will build it.
PG&E Stocks have gone up... Electricity will cost x4 more to keep You Warm.
Plus the need for Your Solar Panel to recharge Your Google Power Station. Which capacity will need to Double,
Hey with Global Warming there will be more Sun in the Drought Years.
Carbon Taxes... Oxygen Taxes Coming. SMH.
This is Premature. Great Profits though. You think there won't be exploitation of other smaller poorer Countries? Unless there could be small Nuclear Reactors as Backup, That is all this law promises.
The Homeless will be Jailed for Burning to Keep Warm... "A GREEN WORLD" Needs more thought. This Plan is profit driven without a real solution.
This is just one of many steps needed to curb our role in climate change, but it's no less important because of that. I urge the councilmembers to think of the long term health of our planet and pass this proposal as is
As a homeowner and parent of Oakland, I urge the Council to pass the “All-Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings" ordinance. The city of Oakland adopted a resolution last year declaring a Climate Emergency and committing itself to act as though there is an emergency. We need to begin taking strong, visionary actions to address climate change in this city and to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, and this Ordinance is one way to do so. Please think of our future and the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren, and pass the “All-Electric Construction In Newly Constructed Buildings" ordinance as it stands with no weakening amendments or changes.
Kelly Hamel
Resident, District 6
Dear Councilmembers,
This legislation is an essential next step in Oakland’s actions to address climate change, make buildings safer and improve indoor air quality.
The proposed legislation is consistent with Action B-1 of the 2030 ECAP and the City’s 2045 carbon neutrality target. Eliminating natural gas in buildings is necessary to achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions that keep global warming below the 1.5-deg. C target of the Paris Climate Accord.
Omitting natural gas infrastructure from new buildings avoids construction costs that are better used for maximizing the use of renewable electricity that is available now from East Bay Community Energy at a reasonable cost. The Staff Report before you affirms that it is now practical to use induction stoves for commercial cooking.
Buildings that are affected by this legislation will be standing long after the dates of several important greenhouse gas emissions goals. Since Oakland cannot meet its climate goals without shifting away from natural gas, now is the right time to omit natural gas use from new building construction.
The transition to all-electric buildings will have some challenges. Still, it remains important to approve the proposed legislation now to improve safety, mitigate climate change, and improve indoor air quality. Oakland can join at least 39 other jurisdictions in California who are creatively solving these challenges. Please adopt the proposed legislation.
Scott Wentworth
Resident, District 5