Implementation
Adopt energy efficiency and electrification ordinances no later than December 2022, or 6
months after the availability of a cost-effectiveness study prepared by the Statewide Reach Codes Team, or
feasibility analysis, whichever is later, to require California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Tier 1
energy efficiency compliance and electric space and water heating equipment for nonresidential additions or
alterations equal to or greater than $200,000 building permit valuation or equal to or greater than 1,000
square feet.
To support nonresidential electrification, the County shall review its existing permitting processes for
nonresidential building owners seeking to replace gas water and space heating equipment with electric
equipment, as well as capping gas meters, and modify as needed to reduce complexity, cost, and processing
time for any required permits. This may include exploring provisions to focus any required inspections
related to electrification solely on those areas affected by the requested permit.
An outreach program will be developed that provides education strategies that enable commercial energy
conservation and gas-to-electric conversions in nonresidential buildings for space and water heating.
Develop online videos and educational materials on energy efficiency and building electrification (including
trainings, fact sheets, and/or information on available incentives) targeted toward building owners and
tenants that are hosted on the County’s website or linked to SMUD and Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E) web interfaces. In addition to education, video tutorials can explain to business owners how to enroll
in real-time energy use monitoring tools to track energy use compared to historic levels and within the
community through the EnergyStar™ Portfolio Manager, or other tools offered by third-party providers. The
educational materials will also be provided as part of routine regulatory processes, such as applying for or
renewing licenses or permits and undergoing health and safety inspections, and through the Business
Environmental Resource Center.
In addition, new development projects that have incorporated all feasible on-site GHG mitigation may be
permitted to fund energy efficiency and electrification retrofits of existing buildings subject to quantification
of the costs per MT CO2e. This quantification shall be submitted by applicants for review and verification by
the County or a qualified third party selected by the County.
Timeframe: Long term
GHG Reduction Potential: 12,465 MT CO2e per year by 2030
Co-benefit
This measure supports adaptation measures Temp-07 and Temp-08.
Sector: Energy - Commercial
Target Indicator: Development of an outreach program and partnership with local utilities on an electrification and energy efficiency retrofit program. Assumed participation of 5 percent for energy efficiency upgrades, 5 percent for energy conservation, and 15 percent for electrification by 2026, and 10 percent for energy efficiency upgrades, 10 percent for energy conservation, and 30 percent for electrification by 2030 for a total reduction of 2,400,000 therms.
Status of Implementation
Measures GHG-4 through -7 deal with the electrification of buildings in the community and are categorized by residential vs. non-residential and existing vs. new construction.
Currently the County is focused on identifying electrification incentives and working with SMUD and the Cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove who are all partners in a Sacramento County Building Electrification Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU is a no-cost agreement originally developed by SMUD and the City and County of Sacramento to work together and coordinate on building electrification efforts. All other incorporated cities in Sacramento County have been invited to join the MOU with the City of Elk Grove joining the partnership. The above agencies hold a monthly coordination meeting to coordinate, troubleshoot, and strategize about advancing building electrification.
SMUD currently offers several rebates to support building electrification under their Home Performance Program. The County is exploring grant and other funding opportunities to partner with SMUD and increase the rebate opportunities.
Due to litigation in the building electrification space, namely the California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley case, where the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit blocked the City of Berkeley from enacting a natural gas piping ban, the County is not pursuing any electrification ordinances at this time.
The County acknowledges that reach codes offer a different pathway to electrification than what Berkeley used. However, after analysis of the current situation, staff resources are being focused on completing and defending the Climate Action Plan from potential CEQA challenges from local environmental groups while concurrently participating in the regional efforts described above and focusing on incentive- and education-based efforts to drive a switch to more electric-only buildings.
Last updated 10/11/12023
