07 - Laserfiche WebLink

For Pleasanton, staff proposes to use the model reach codes as a template for much of the proposed local amendment - however, some adjustments are suggested to better align with Pleasanton's goals. In recent years, over 50 cities in the Bay Area have adopted some form of reach code (i.e., building electrification and/or EV charging) for the current (2019) code cycle — locally these include Contra Costa County, Fremont, San Carlos, Los Altos, Alameda, and Emeryville. In addition to Pleasanton, several additional cities are considering reach codes this code cycle including Dublin, Livermore, Walnut Creek, and Hayward. DISCUSSION Building Electrification Overview The 2022 California Energy Code (Part 6) within Title 24 is more strongly oriented towards an all-electric preferred model' than prior code cycles but continues to allow for mixed-fuel buildings. Staff recommends the City adopt a reach code through Part 11 (CALGreen) that would require newly constructed buildings to be built all-electric. Such buildings would have no gas infrastructure installed, and electricity would be the sole source of energy for all space heating, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying appliances. While the reach code would generally require new building electrification, staff recommends some limited exceptions as follows: • Multi-family residential buildings that have been granted entitlements the year prior to ordinance adoption. • Commercial kitchens with a business-related need to cook with combustion equipment. • Industrial processes for labs, research, or educational related needs. • If the applicant establishes that there is not an all-electric prescriptive compliance pathway for the building under the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards and that the building is not able to achieve the performance compliance standard applicable to the building under the Energy Efficiency Standards. Staff notes that existing properties with gas infrastructure can maintain the existing infrastructure, and most additions to these properties could continue to include gas. Additionally, alterations to existing properties with gas (e.g., partial demolition and rebuild of an existing home) can continue include gas if the alteration is less than 50-percent of the total existing building size. Further, any new construction (i.e., new buildings) on the property would need to be constructed all-electric. The redlines to Part 11, Title 24 for building electrification are included as Attachment 1. This recommendation will implement Primary Action 1 from the CAP 2.0. Coupled with Existing Actions 1 and 2 (i.e., maintaining zero-emissions energy as the default energy choice for both the City and community), all-electric new construction would result in homes and businesses that do not emit GHGs from energy use. The GHG emissions 1 Examples of such requirements include improved TDV(time dependent valuation)performance, pre-wiring for gas appliances,and higher ventilation rates for gas stoves. Reach Codes Committee on Energy and the Environment 3 of 10