Elk Grove's innovation czar seeks policy direction from mayor, city council on climate action plan
California has set a 2045 goal or zero carbon emissions.
As part of the city of Elk Grove's state-mandated 2019 climate action plan (CAP), last night's city council meeting saw Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her four city councilmen hear a lengthy presentation from city innovations czar Carrie Whitlock. That report was an update to provide the city council an opportunity to offer climate action program policy direction.
As noted during her presentation, Whitlock said the state of California requires a five-year update. After presenting a mass of data on long-term mandates to reduce emissions, Whitlock discussed options Singh-Allen and her city council could pursue to comply.
As it relates to buildings, Whitlock separated the segment into new residential, existing residential, new non-residential, and existing non-residential. As a group, 38 percent of the city's greenhouse gases are from structures, of which residential units account for 68 percent.
Even though electricity currently produces about 55 percent of statewide emissions, California's 2045 mandate under Senate Bill 100 requires all electricity to be zero carbon or from renewable sources, thereby eliminating electric production emissions.
One option for new residential development could be raising the minimum percentage of all-electric development. The city's current CAP requires 10 percent of all new housing to be all-electric.
"A review of residential building permits for [20] 23 and so far for [20] 24 indicates that approximately 43 percent of new developments are coming in as all-electric," Whitlock said.
She added, "The city could require, say, a minimum of 80 percent of units to be all-electric."
Whitlock said the city could require all new non-residential construction and significant renovations to meet or exceed specifics about the minimum building code obligations. This policy would be consistent with standards currently under review by Sacrmaneto and Sacrament County.
The city could also maintain its 2019 CAP standards, which permit more liberal emissions than those considered by Sacramento and Sacramento County. Whitlock said maintaining these standards might not help the city achieve its emission reduction objectives.
During public comment, Josh Oaken of the Sacramento Association of Realtors said any climate change policy adopted should consider consumer costs, particularly for first-time home buyers. He also said appliances should be converted when they are replaced.
"We support the end-of-life replacement process and a program to recycle old appliances," he said.
During deliberations, Vice Mayor Rod Brewer noted that he converted to all-electric after a recent air conditioning replacement at his residence. He said it is crucial to provide existing homeowners with incentives and financing assistance.
"It's a pretty big endeavor, and with the retrofits, even though they seem minor, the transformation is pretty substantial," Brewer said.
As it relates to existing structures, Councilmember Kevin Spease said he would not support regulations that would be burdensome during procedures like remodeling. He also urged Whitlock to engage restaurant associations.
"I certainly would not like to add additional costs or restrictions to a homeowner who is simply trying to upgrade the countertop," he said. "I think you would stifle the opportunity for people to improve their homes."
Aside from Brewer and Spease's remarks, the city council provided little else in direction to Whitlock. Another update from Whitlock focused on transportation will be presented at a future city council meeting.
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