Implementation
Develop and adopt an energy reach code no later than December 2022, or 6 months after the availability of a cost-effectiveness study prepared by the Statewide Reach Codes Team, whichever is later, requiring all new single-family and low-rise and mid-rise multi-family residential buildings obtaining building permits, to be designed as all-electric buildings. Development of the energy reach code will include cost-effectiveness studies and feasibility analyses that should include at a minimum consideration of supply chain availability of parts, prices of component parts, and previously approved projects for which natural gas lines may already be constructed. Detailed feasibility criteria will be developed during development of the energy reach code. In addition, the County will periodically re-assess and update reach codes in response to updates to the building code.
Examples of draft criteria for when residential buildings will not be subject to the all-electric requirement are described below:
- Projects in progress
- New subdivisions or planned unit development that has existing natural gas infrastructure that is already substantially built on the date of adoption of the reach code.
- Architectural master plans for the subdivision that have been submitted to the County for design review prior to the date of adoption of the reach code.
- Cost feasibility: Where a project applicant can reasonably demonstrate that the cost of providing an all-electric home would add 50 percent to the cost of the like-sized component parts above the costs of installing natural gas appliances, including available incentives and the cost of natural gas infrastructure.
- Supply chain feasibility: Where a project applicant can reasonably demonstrate that all-electric parts required for home sale cannot be acquired from a manufacturer within 120 days.
- Affordable housing: A limited exemption for regulated affordable housing when virtual net energy metering is not available, for water heating only.
In addition, new development projects that have incorporated all feasible on-site GHG mitigation may be permitted to contribute financially toward the electrification programs for existing buildings in Measures GHG-04 and GHG-06 subject to quantification of the costs per MT CO2e.
Timeframe: Midterm
GHG Reduction Potential: 48,587 MT CO2e per year by 2030
Sector: Energy – Residential
Target Indicator: Adoption of a reach code no later than December 2022, or 6 months after the availability of a cost-effectiveness study prepared by the Statewide Reach Codes Team, whichever is later. Target set for having 23,000 dwelling units all-electric by 2030.
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.
