Item-14.-Marin-County-Electrification-Roadmap — Fairfax City Council, November 6, 2024

FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #14
MEETING DATE November 6, 2024
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Mark Lockaby, Building Official
Bridget Wipfler, Climate Action Coordinator
SUBJECT Resolution Adopting Marin’s Countywide Electrification Roadmap, a Plan to Transition Marin’s Buildings from Gas to All-Electric

RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to implement actions detailed in Marin’s Countywide Electrification Roadmap.

BACKGROUND
The 2022 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory identified buildings as accounting for 37% of the Town’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, 93.6% of which comes from the combustion of natural gas in buildings. Marin Clean Energy (MCE) has a goal of providing 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity to its customers by 2045, making building electrification one of the most effective approaches our Town, can take to decarbonizing our buildings, and therefore a key strategy in achieving the goal of reaching the Town’s, carbon neutrality target by 2030. The County’s Roadmap, prompted by a Marin Civil Grand Jury report, aims to establish a comprehensive plan for local policymakers to implement strategies for an all-electric future, aligning with regional and state mandates.

Marin County published this Roadmap on September 6, 2024 and the Board of Supervisors adopted the document on October 15, 2024.

DISCUSSION
Transitioning to an all-electric future requires careful planning and collaboration. The Roadmap outlines a timeline for local governments to implement actions over the next six to seven years and emphasizes the need for collective effort. The success of these efforts depends on the involvement of all community members—local governments, elected officials, public agencies, utilities, organizations, builders, developers, realtors, businesses, and residents.

The Roadmap is solely advisory, and adoption of the Roadmap does not obligate the County or Town to take any specific actions. Instead, it affirms the County and Town’s view that the Roadmap provides valuable guidance on how local governments might approach next steps in the electrification transition.

Notably, County Sustainability Team staff, in partnership with MCEP, MCE, and community groups, have already begun implementing some of the actions identified in the plan.

Proposed Resolution
The Roadmap identifies ten recommended (non-mandated) actions important to unlocking Marin’s path to an all-electric future. These actions reflect in-depth research of current and anticipated policies and programs, co-development with community stakeholders (including three community workshops), and insight from the broader community via an online survey that received 385 responses. The ten actions are identified in the Proposed Resolution.

The proposed resolution includes the following recommended actions as detailed in the Countywide 2 Building Electrification Roadmap:

A. Create a Countywide “Central Hub” for easy access to electrification information and resources B. Implement advanced green building and electrification codes C. Implement permit streamlining and incentives, where applicable D. Provide Countywide low-cost financing programs
E. County to Develop the building energy and electrification workforce pipeline F. Work with PG&E to improve infrastructure planning and grid interconnections G. Implement actions in partnership with community-based organizations H. Implement the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy I. Implement a time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy J. Pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project somewhere in Marin County
Policy Considerations
The Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap is consistent with the actions as laid out in the most recent release of the Town of Fairfax Climate Action Plan:

1. Community Outreach and Engagement (O)
a. O-1 Community Education. Educate and motivate community members on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their homes, businesses, transportation modes, and other activities.
b. O-2 Community Outreach. Based on A Vision for Fairfax in 2030, implement a communitywide public outreach and behavior change campaign to engage residents, businesses, and educational, faith, social and cultural organizations around the impacts of climate change and the ways individuals and organizations can reduce their GHG emissions and create a more sustainable, resilient, and healthier community. c. O-3 Green Businesses. Encourage local businesses to implement new and improved existing business practices to reduce GHG emissions.
d. O-4 Advocacy. Advocate at all levels of government for policies, funding and actions that support the rapid transition to a GHG-free community. O-5. Funding Strategies. Research and promote innovative funding strategies to support initiatives and goals for an equitable and just transition to a GHG-free world.

2. Renewable Energy & Electrification (R)
a. R-1: Building and Appliance Electrification. Adopt an ordinance that requires all new construction to be all-electric starting in January 2022. Adopt an ordinance that phases in requirements to replace natural gas appliances and equipment with electric appliances and equipment at time of replacement. Adopt additional measures that would require replacement of all-natural gas consumption/combustion by existing residential and commercial buildings by 2030. Seek financial incentives and technical assistance to support residents in making the transition for existing buildings. b. R-2: Municipal Building and Appliance Electrification. Replace all-natural gas consumption/combustion and electrify all Town buildings by 2030. Improve energy efficiency of town buildings. Establish a town-wide goal to become carbon neutral by setting up a fund (similar to an internal price on carbon) to incentivize and support projects by residents to reduce their carbon footprint.
c. R-3: 100% GHG-Free Electricity. Assist residents and businesses in switching to 100 percent renewable electricity (MCE Deep Green, MCE Local Sol, and PG&E Solar Choice, or on-premises renewables).
3 d. R-4: Renewable Energy Generation and Storage. Accelerate installation of residential and commercial solar and other renewable energy systems and energy storage systems. e. R-5: Phase out the use of on-site fossil-fuel generators. Encourage the use of non-fossilfuel generators now and adopt an ordinance phasing out the acquisition of and use of fossil-fuel generators in the Town of Fairfax no later than 2030. Seek financial incentives and technical assistance to support residents in making the transition to non-fossil-fuel generators.
f. R-6: Electrify all landscape equipment. Adopt an ordinance to phase out use of all fossilfuel landscape equipment. Seek financial incentives and technical assistance to support residents in making the transition to non-fossil-fuel landscape equipment. g. R-7: Innovative Technologies. Investigate and pursue innovative technologies such as microgrids, distributed solar generation, distributed battery storage, and demand-response programs that will improve local resilience and the electric grid’s resiliency and help to balance demand and renewable energy production.

3. Energy Efficiency (E)
a. E-1: Ordinances for Construction of Energy-Efficient Buildings. Adopt requirements to phase out natural gas, beginning with new construction, then substantial remodels.

Consider adopting the most aggressive state, county, and Reach Codes possible in future years.
b. E-2: Streamline Permit Process and Provide Technical Assistance. Eliminate barriers in the current building permit and inspection processes and provide technical assistance to ensure successful implementation of green building requirements and best practices c. E-3: Energy Audits. Promote energy audits for all residential, commercial, and municipal buildings. Require energy audits for residential and commercial buildings for major remodels, and prior to putting a property up for sale, and provide with other disclosure requirements to potential buyers.
d. E-4: Energy Efficiency Programs. Promote and expand participation in residential and commercial energy efficiency programs.
e. E-6: Municipal Energy Efficiency Retrofits Implement energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings and facilities based on energy audits. f. E-7: Municipal Energy Conservation. Reduce energy consumption through behavioral and operational changes.

4. Sequestration (S)
a. S-3: Carbon Offsets. Identify and partner with local non-profit organizations and/or businesses that actively sequester carbon in their activities (e.g., climate-smart habitat restoration or regenerative agriculture) to promote a carbon offset program.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The roadmap followed the “Housing Electrification Community Roadmap Template” framework as developed by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Emerald Cities Collaborative, and local government staff.

The framework for community engagement entailed prioritizing equity, early and often engagement, and giving the community more meaningful participation in the co-development of the roadmap.

A total of 20 subcommittee meetings, a 3-part workshop series, and ad-hoc conversations occurred in 4 concert with members of the community. Each MCEP subcommittee member spent at minimum a total of 25 volunteer hours and each community stakeholder spent at minimum a total of 7 to 10 volunteer hours to co-develop the actions and provide feedback on the roadmap.

Prior to writing the roadmap, the ten actions were published online as a survey widely circulated throughout the community. The survey garnered 385 respondents, providing comments on which actions are preferred to implement.

Equity Impact
At the heart of the development process was elaborate engagement with and input from Marin’s community stakeholders early and often—with a three-part workshop for public engagement--to ensure that no communities are unfairly impacted nor are left behind in accessing benefits. Through the development process, the County met with the building community (e.g., developers, contractors, realtors), community-based organizations representing seniors aging-in-place, affordable housing advocates, and those serving equity priority/frontline communities. The recommendations in the Roadmap seek to balance our ambitious climate, housing, and equity obligations with a combination of sound policy and effective incentive and rebate programs.

The Roadmap’s recommendations were enhanced by integrating equity into the development process and each recommended action. In the process of creating recommendations for the roadmap, each recommendation was evaluated for negative impacts and opportunities to benefit those frequently underserved were identified.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Climate, Sustainability and Health:

The County's roadmap includes key actions—such as electrifying building equipment, developing energy reach codes, and offering energy incentives—that are essential for achieving the CAP's zero emissions goal by 2030. Electrifying buildings enhances indoor and outdoor air quality by eliminating combustion equipment that produces pollutants like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene. Additionally, electric space and water heating appliances are more efficient, which is expected to lead to a net decrease in overall energy use in buildings. By implementing these strategies, the County aims to create a healthier environment while significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to adoption of the Roadmap. CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.

Immediate Phase 1 Considerations
The Electrification Road Map suggests the following items be implemented immediately pertaining to permitting, and Fairfax specific responses are included in each item.

B. Evaluate and implement permit discount and streamlining programs that incent gas to electric conversions.

1. Evaluate jurisdiction feasibility and capacity to implement an electrification streamlining program that speeds up the permitting process. Response: Most of Fairfax’s permits for panel upgrades, water heaters, heat pumps are done same day, or next. So, no need to speed them up further. 5 2. Evaluate jurisdiction fee structure then implement a subsidized electrification discount program that incentivizes electric over gas installations. Response: Fairfax already subsidizes electric water heaters, heat pumps, and furnaces. The permit fee for those at this time is $118.00, and the cost study amount was $313.00. Fairfax could further subsidize those fees, if the Council choses to do so. Fairfax’s impact fees could be looked in the future at as well. At this time Fairfax does not have reduced fees for electrical panel upgrades, or electric vehicle chargers, so reduced fees could be considered for those permit fees.

3. Implement permit programs that either reduces mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) costs and/or expedites permit timelines for renovations and appliance upgrades. Response: This is similar to 1 & 2 except that if a project is considered a substantial remodel it takes about 3 months to complete the process. Further study would be needed to determine if these can be reduced because of State mandated timelines.

C. Continue advancing new and existing green building, electrification, EV, and electric readiness standards in sync with State mandatory code update.

1. 2025 Code Development: Develop prototype green building codes that all twelve Marin jurisdictions can consider adopting. Response: County plans to take the lead on this with input from Fairfax and the other jurisdictions. It will then be adopted during the normal code adopting process, or interim if desired. During the previous code cycle, Fairfax adopted the Reach Codes before the deadline, so they were seamlessly integrated into the last 3-year code cycle.

Rationale
On April 7, 2021, the Town Council adopted Resolution 21-10, declaring a climate emergency and committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap supports this commitment by implementing the Town’s Climate Action Plan. It focuses on transitioning to all-electric buildings, developing electric vehicle strategies, and promoting renewable energy to achieve zero emissions by 2030.

Economic Impacts
Implementing all actions in the Building Electrification Roadmap is expected to yield a net positive economic impact. This includes projected on-bill savings for households, various incentives and rebates to support the transition, new workforce development opportunities, and enhanced health and productivity from better indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced indoor heat. The plan aims to leverage state, federal, and local funding, benefiting Marin’s economy.

ATTACHMENTS
A. Marin County Electrification Roadmap
B. Resolution
Marin County’s Building
Electrifi cation Roadmap
Our community’s transition to an all-electric future
9/5/24
2 Credits
County of Marin Community Development Agency
• Lead Staff: Brian Reyes, Sustainability Planner
• Support Staff
○ Dana Armanino, Planning Manager
○ Julie Chew, Media Technician
○ Mark Chhabria, Program Coordinator
○ Kellen Dammann, Marin County Sustainability Team Marketing and Outreach ○ Sabrina Cardoza, Senior Planner
○ Molly Kron, Senior Planner
Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (MCEP): Building Electrification Roadmap Subcommittee
• Town of Corte Madera: Phoebe Goulden, Climate Action and Adaptation Coordinator, • City of San Rafael: Cory Bytof, Sustainability Program Manager • City of Novato: Gretchen Schubeck, Sustainability Coordinator • Towns of Fairfax and San Anselmo: Sean Youra, Climate Action Coordinator • MCE: Sebastian Conn, Senior Community Development Manager; Jennifer Green, Manager of Customer Programs; Madeline Sarvey, Community Affairs Coordinator • MCEP: Christine O’Rourke, Sustainability Coordinator
Special Thank You to Community Stakeholders participating in the Codevelopment of this Roadmap Marin Climate & Energy Partnership
Marin Clean Energy (MCE)
Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM)
PG&E
BayREN
Canal Alliance
North Marin Community Services
Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Sustainable San Rafael
Sustainable Mill Valley
Marin Conservation League
Marin/Sonoma Electrification Squad
Good Green Work
Marin Center for Independent Living
Marin Asian Advocacy Project
Multicultural Center of Marin
Sausalito Sustainability Commission
Corte Madera Climate Action Committee
Fairfax Climate Action Committee
San Anselmo Climate Action Commission
Novato Sustainability Commission
Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative
Marin Builders Association

MARIN REALTORS
EAH Housing
Hope Housing of Marin
Eden Housing
Community Land Trust Association of West Marin
(CLAM) - West Marin
Seagull Prime Real Estate Fund
Rising Design & Construction
GreenLynx
Samina Saude Design & Consulting
Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

Ready-Set-Replace
Marin Academy, Climate and Justice Class
3 Table of Contents
Credits 2
Executive Summary 4
The Roadmap 6
Template Resolution and Staff Report 7
Sample Resolution 8
Sample Staff Report 11

1.0 Introduction 16

1.1 How to Use 17

1.2 What is Building Electrification? 18

1.3 Benefits 19

1.4 Elevating Equity 20

1.5 Challenges and Solutions 20

2.0 Community Participation and Co-Development Process 24

2.1 Vision, Goal and Equity Principles 24

2.2 Community Engagement Approach and Process 24

2.3 Summary of Workshop Findings 26

3.0 Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities 27

3.1 Ten Actions 27

3.2 Ten Actions: A Phased Timeline 28

3.3 Ten Actions: Implementing Tasks 31

4.0 Appendices 53

4.1 Appendix A: Building Stock and Equity Analysis 54

4.2 Appendix B: Examining the Challenges and Solutions to Marin’s All-electric Transition 100

4.3 Appendix C: Community Engagement Findings and Results 107

4.4 Appendix D: Key Actions Worksheet – Descriptions, Details, Equity Considerations, and Implementing Partners 114
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap
Executive Summary
5 Executive Summary
In response to California AB32 Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, local governments especially the twelve cities, towns and unincorporated Marin, developed climate action plans that laid out a variety GHG emission reduction strategies to implement. Adopting green building reach codes (building standards that go above and beyond) is one of the best tactics local governments have to directly reduce emissions.

More commonly known green building approaches focus on energy efficiency and solar PV installs, but the urgency of the climate crisis has prompted State, regional and local policy makers to also accelerate emission reductions by rapidly replacing gas combusting appliances and systems in homes and businesses with clean, all-electric ones. However, the use of building requirements alone are not a comprehensive solution to electrification and reducing emissions. Requirements must be accompanied by incentive, rebate, financing, and workforce development programs as well as new innovative policies that incent, support, and accelerate gas to electric conversions for all Marin residents and businesses.

Marin’s Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap is a holistic plan to transition buildings equitably and rapidly to an all-electric and more energy-efficient future. The roadmap was developed in response to a 2022 Marin Civil Grand Jury report. It called for the development and coordinated implementation of a countywide building electrification plan. Most of Marin’s jurisdictions agreed. Starting January 2023, the County of Marin Sustainability Team and Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) began co-developing the roadmap in partnership with a wide range of community stakeholders including:

1. Elected officials,

2. City/Town government staff,

3. Utilities and public/regional agencies,

4. Community-based organizations,

5. Building and development practitioners and industry, and

6. Youth/student groups
The heart of the roadmap document was broken up into three parts:

1. Ten Actions (indexed A to J) recommended to transition to an all-electric future.

2. A proposed timeline (2024 to 2031) that phases implementation of the ten actions.

3. A detailed discussion on how the ten phased actions can be implemented by organizations and people within the community.

The ten actions are as follows and as illustrated on the following page (see The Roadmap):

A. Create a “Central Hub” for easy access to electrification information and resources B. Implement advanced green building and electrification codes C. Implement permit streamlining and incentives
D. Provide low-cost financing programs
E. Develop the building energy and electrification workforce pipeline F. Work with PG&E to improve infrastructure planning and grid interconnections G. Implement actions in partnership with community-based organizations H. Implement the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy I. Implement a time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy J. Pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap J
I
H
F
G
E
D
C
B
A
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap
6 ABCDEFGHIJ
The Roadmap
Create a “Central Hub” for easy access to
electrification information and resources
Implement advanced green building and
electrification codes
Implement permit Streamlining and
Incentives
Provide low-cost financing programs
Develop the building energy and
electrification workforce pipeline
Work with PG&E to improve infrastructure
planning and grid interconnections
Implement actions in partnership with
community-based organizations
Implement the Marin Countywide EV
Acceleration Strategy
Implement a time of listing energy
assessment (TLEA) policy
Pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification
and gas infrastructure decommissioning
project
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap
Resolution Adoption Template
(Version for City and Town Staff)
8 Template Resolution and Staff Report
The roadmap can be used by Marin’s City, Town and County staff and council to model and adopt, whole or in-part, as stand-alone policy and programs. The roadmap’s actions can also be used as an accompaniment to implement emission reduction strategies found in each jurisdiction’s Climate Action Plans. Ultimately, it is up to each jurisdiction to determine what and how to implement recommended actions.

For ease, the following a sample resolution for councils to consider adoption is provided– in the format County of Marin uses for resolutions – should a jurisdiction decide to adopt the roadmap as policy.

Sample Resolution
[Intentionally left Blank]
9 RESOLUTION NO.___
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING MARIN’S COUNTYWIDE ELECTRIFICATION ROADMAP, PUBLISHED <DATE>, RECOMMENDING ACTIONS TO TRANSITION BUILDINGS EQUITABLY

AND RAPIDLY TO AN ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE
WHEREAS, the <City Name, Town Name, Marin County> Climate Action Plan 2030 identifies reducing building energy use, and specifically natural gas use, as one of the most effective means of meeting the adopted goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by the year 2030 for the <City Name, Town Name, unincorporated areas>; and WHEREAS, an inventory of 2022 greenhouse gas emissions for the <City Name, Town Name, unincorporated County) found that the use of energy in residential and non-residential buildings within the <City Name, Town Name, unincorporated County> generates <x%, County = 31%> of the <City, Town, County’s> total annual greenhouse gas emissions, <x%, County = 88%> of which comes from the combustion of natural gas in buildings; and
WHEREAS, the <City Council, Town Council, Marin County Board of Supervisors> adopted a resolution on <Date, County = June 15, 2021> declaring a climate emergency and reaffirming the <City’s, Town’s, County’s> commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, on June 6, 2022, a Civil Grand Jury Report entitled Electrifying Marin’s Buildings:

A Countywide Approach was published. The report concluded a need for a comprehensive building electrification plan that lays out countywide strategies local policymakers and the community can implement. A majority of the twelve jurisdictions across Marin agreed that a more coordinated effort to plan for an all-electric transition is needed; and
WHEREAS, from January 2023 until August 2024, the County of Marin’s Sustainability Team and Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) engaged and partnered with over 40 community stakeholders upfront to co-develop an electrification roadmap that put forth actions and subtasks communities can implement. A total of 20 subcommittee meetings, a 3-part workshop series, and adhoc conversations occurred with stakeholders which included the following:

1. Elected officials,

2. City/Town government staff,

3. Utilities and public/regional agencies,

4. Community-based organizations,

5. Building and development practitioners and industry, and

6. Youth/student groups
WHEREAS, on <DATE>, the County of Marin Sustainability Team, Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), in partnership with community stakeholders published “Marin’s Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap: Our Community’s Transition to an All-electric Future” that recommended ten key actions (indexed A to J) and subtasks to implement over a phased timeline from 2024 to 2031. See below summarizing the ten actions:
10 A. Create a “Central Hub” for easy access to electrification information and resources B. Implement advanced green building and electrification codes C. Implement permit streamlining and incentives
D. Provide low-cost financing programs
E. Develop the building energy and electrification workforce pipeline F. Work with PG&E to improve infrastructure planning and grid interconnections G. Implement actions in partnership with community-based organizations H. Implement the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy I. Implement a time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy J. Pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors hereby adopts Marin’s Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap.

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marin held on this ___th day of ___________ 20__, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

PRESIDENT, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTEST:

CLERK
11 Sample Staff Report
[Intentionally left Blank]
12 <DATE>
Honorable <City Council, Town Council, Board of Supervisors> <Address>
<City, State, Zip>
SUBJECT: Resolution adopting Marin’s Countywide Electrification Roadmap, published <DATE>, a plan to transition Marin’s buildings from gas to all-electric.

RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution to implement actions detailed in Marin’s Countywide Electrification Roadmap.

BACKGROUND: The 2022 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory identified buildings as accounting for <x%, County = 31%> of the <City, Town, County’s> total annual greenhouse gas emissions, <x%, County = 88%> of which comes from the combustion of natural gas in buildings.

Marin Clean Energy (MCE) has a goal of providing 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity to its customers by 2045, making building electrification one of the most effective approaches our <City, Town, County> can take to decarbonizing our buildings, and therefore a key strategy in achieving the goal of reaching the <City, Town, County’s> carbon neutrality target by 20__.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS: The Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap is consistent with the actions as laid out in the most recent release of the <City Name, Town Name, County’s> Climate Action Plan <List all relevant strategies tying back to your jurisdiction’s CAP>:
• <Example: Strategy RE C-2: Encourage residents and businesses to switch to 100% renewable electricity (MCE Deep Green, MCE Local Sol, and PG&E Solar Choice)>.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION: The proposed resolution adopts the following actions as detailed in the Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap <Choose from all or any of the following ten actions as indexed A-J>:

From January 2023 until August 2024, the County of Marin’s Sustainability Team and Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) engaged and partnered with over 40 community stakeholders upfront to co-develop an electrification roadmap that put forth ten actions and subtasks communities can implement. A total of 20 subcommittee meetings, a 3-part workshop series, and ad-hoc conversations occurred in concert with members of the community. Each MCEP subcommittee member spent at minimum at total of 25 volunteer hours and each community stakeholder spent at minimum a total of 7 to 10 volunteer hours to co-develop the actions and provide feedback on the roadmap.

EQUITY IMPACT: At the heart of the development process was elaborate engagement with and input from Marin’s community stakeholders early and often. While dramatically reducing GHG emissions through electrification policy and programs, it is imperative implementation of actions also ensure that no communities are unfairly impacted nor are left behind in accessing benefits. Through the development process, the County met with the building community (e.g., developers, contractors, realtors), community-based organizations representing seniors aging-in-place, affordable housing advocates, and those serving equity priority/frontline communities. The proposed resolution seeks to balance our ambitious climate, housing, and equity obligations with a combination of sound policy and effective incentive and rebate programs.

The roadmap’s actions were enhanced by integrating equity into the development process and each recommended action. In the process of creating action for the roadmap, each action was evaluated for negative impacts and opportunities to benefit those frequently underserved were identified.

The following steps were taken to evaluate and integrate equity into the actions put forth in the roadmap:

1. A Building Inventory of Marin’s building stock was performed alongside an equity analysis of its residences. The equity analysis identified the general areas West Marin, North Marin/Downtown Novato, San Rafael’s Canal District and Downtown, Strawberry and Marin City as communities most underserved. The intent was not to prefer one community over another, but rather, identify opportunities to reduce barriers when delivering benefits of electrification and building upgrades to the community.

2. A three-part community workshop series with stakeholders was conducted. Stakeholders aided in co-developing the actions as seen on the roadmap.

3. The roadmap integrated equity into each action. Each action was examined and documented to improve equitable outcomes for those most underserved. 14 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Climate, Sustainability and Health: Emissions from <City Name, Town Name, unincorporated County) found that the use of energy in residential and non-residential buildings within the <City Name, Town Name, unincorporated County> generates <x%, County = 31%> of the <City, Town, County’s> total annual greenhouse gas emissions, <x%, County = 88%> of which comes from the combustion of natural gas in buildings. In conjunction with <City Name, Town Name, County of Marin’s> Climate Action Plan, electrification of building equipment, developing energy reach codes, and providing access to energy and electrification incentives and rebates are key tactics to eliminate emissions from Marin’s buildings and reach carbon neutrality by 20__. Electrification of buildings also improves indoor and outdoor air quality through elimination of combustion equipment that produces nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and benzene. In addition, electric space and water heating appliances are highly efficient, so electrification of space and water heating appliances is expected to result in a net decrease in energy used by buildings in Sacramento.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): <Check with the County first if a Notice of Exemption needs to be filed. Though, it is anticipated that the resolution is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Further, the resolution, should one or many action be implemented, will protect and enhance the environment and Marin County’s natural resources by reducing local greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuels through building code; by encouraging electrification and electric vehicle infrastructure measures through incentive and rebate programs; by requiring additional energy efficiency, electrification, and electric vehicle infrastructure measures through state approved building standards>.

RATIONALE: <City Council, Town Council, Board of Supervisors> has adopted a resolution on <Date, County = June 15, 2021> declaring a climate emergency and reaffirming the <City’s, Town’s, County’s> commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap is responsive to the <Council’s, Board of Supervisor’s> direction and serves as an accompanying feature to implement the <City’s, Town’s, County’s> Climate Action Plan especially to building, electric vehicle, and renewable energy strategies that point to the transition of buildings away from natural gas to all-electric buildings and meet carbon neutrality by 20__.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS: Should all of the actions detailed in the building electrification roadmap be implemented, expect to have a net positive economic impact, reflecting projected post-electrification on-bill savings for households across the County; a range of incentives and rebates designed to assist with the transition; new workforce development opportunities; and, through improved health and productivity benefits derived from improved indoor and outdoor air quality and reduced indoor heat impacts. Implementation of the plan is anticipated to leverage state, federal, and local funding and financing that will benefit Marin’s economy.
15 FISCAL IMPACT: This action does not impact the General Fund.

REVIEWED BY: ☒ Administrator ☐ N/A
☐ Department of Finance ☒ N/A
☒ Counsel ☐ N/A
☐ Human Resources ☒ N/A
SIGNATURE:

Attachments

1. Marin Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap

2. Online Community Feedback Survey Results: February 16 to March 5, 2024 16 Why Transition to AllElectric Buildings?
Three top reasons Marin’s
community can benefit:

Climate and Policy Mandates
Gas is responsible for 85% of
Marin’s building emissions. As a
result, the State (starting in 2030)
and regional air district covering the
nine county SF-Bay Area (starting in
2027) has adopted zero-emission
appliance standards that bans the
selling and installation of gas space
and water heaters.

Health and Safety
Gas-burning appliances and
their continued release of harmful
pollutants within and outside the
home can increase the risk of
respiratory infection, asthma, heart
disease, and death (UCLA, Zhu
et al., 2020). Among the most
vulnerable are children seniors,
low-income, and Black and
Latino communities. Gas is also a
contributor to residential fires.

Resiliency and Comfort
When coupled with solar, battery
storage, and/or improved insulation,
all-electric buildings improve the
ability to adapt to climate and
natural disaster events. An electrified
home is typically well-insulated,
which can minimize penetration of
smoke and outdoor air pollutants
during fires. In contrast to the
electrical grid, the gas grid can
take longer to restore after an
earthquake.

1.0 Introduction
Marin’s Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap is
a plan to equitably and rapidly transition buildings to an all-electric and more energy-efficient future. Much like a map, it shows steps community actors such as governments, businesses, utilities, and residents can take to reduce their contribution to a worsening climate crisis by switching buildings away from using polluting fossil fuels such as gas.

The roadmap was developed in response to a June 6, 2022, Marin Civil Grand Jury report1. The report concluded a need for comprehensive building electrification plan that lays out countywide strategies local policymakers and the community can implement. In response to the Grand Jury report, a
majority of the twelve Marin jurisdictions agreed that a more thoughtful and coordinated approach to countywide
electrification should take place.

Policies, programs, incentives, and increased market
demand for electric appliances and systems are starting to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and transition buildings to an all-electric future, yet more is needed. This roadmap details actions the people and communities of
Marin can take between now and 2031 to successfully
transition away from burning natural gas (referred to herein as “gas”) in homes; the predominant source of building
GHG emissions.

Four key sections make up this roadmap:

1. Introduction
a. How to best use the roadmap.
b. What are the benefits of transitioning to all-electric buildings?
c. Why and how we lead with equity.
d. Summary of the challenges and solutions to
electrification.

2. Community Participation and Co-Development Process
a. A brief on the community’s participation and
contributions to co-developing this roadmap.

3. Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities
a. Details impactful actions the community could
implement to make this transition.

4. Appendices
a. Supplementary information that includes
comprehensive analysis, research, and other
relevant resources considered when developing
this roadmap.
1 Civil Grand Jury Report. 2021-2022. Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach available for download at https://www.marincounty.gov/departments/grand-jury/civil-grand-jury-reports 17 1.1 How to Use
Please read the following as a guide to using the roadmap:

Guide Description
A Recommendation The roadmap does not require or compel, rather, it recommends a series of implementable actions to transition buildings away from using fossil-fuels, in particular gas. The roadmap illustrates how and when community stakeholders can act. Community stakeholders are described in Section 2.0 Community Participation and Co-Development Process.

Residential Building The roadmap is framed as a countywide electrification roadmap for all building types. Actions will focus on existing residential homes including single-family and multi-unit developments. However the same or similar actions may be applicable to commercial buildings.

Phased Action Timeline Section 3.0: Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities is the heart of the roadmap. Actions are written as policies, programs, or incentives. Ten key actions are put forth and detailed. The actions were then overlaid on a timeline between 2024 to 2031. The timeline is reflected as a Gantt chart broken up into three phases: immediate-, near-, and long-term. The phasing in of actions on this timeline aligns with regional and State policy and programs.

Communities may opt to take earlier action.

Appendices Supplementary research and analysis. Anything too long or not referenced in sections 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 are in the appendices.

Energy Efficiency In the context of this roadmap, electrification also includes energy efficiency (e.g., insulation, windows) and electrical systems (e.g., electric panels and service, solar PV, battery back-up). Pairing electrification with energy efficiency improvements will accelerate building performance, save consumers on utility costs, and improve grid reliability and health.

Operational Carbon The roadmap proposes actions to reduce carbon emissions resulting from the use of fuels to heat, cool and power buildings. This is commonly referred to as a building’s “operational carbon2.” It does NOT cover “upfront carbon” or carbon resulting from the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and assembly of building materials, goods, and services consumed by people.

Policy-relevant Tool The roadmap can be used by Marin’s City, Town and County governments to model and adopt, whole or in-part, as stand-alone policy and programs.

It can also be used as an accompaniment to implement emission reduction strategies found in each jurisdiction’s Climate Action Plans3. 2 Operational and upfront carbon is best described by The World Green Building Council’s report on bringing embodied carbon upfront. Accessible at https://worldgbc.org/article/bringing-embodied-carbon-upfront/ 3 See Marin Climate & Energy Partnership’s website at https://marinclimate.org/climate-action-plans/ for all jurisdictions’ climate action plans that show communities how to reduce their carbon footprint. 18 1.2 What is Building Electrification?
It is the transition of new and existing mixed-fuel (i.e., electric and gas) buildings to all-electric and energy efficient ones. An “all-electric building,” uses electricity instead of fossil fuels such as gas, to power building systems (e.g., furnaces, water heaters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers) and appliances like stoves, pool heaters, dryers, and fire pits (Figure 1). For purposes of this roadmap, when we discuss electrification projects, we are also including energy efficiency projects (e.g., insulation and windows) and electrical systems (e.g., electric panels and service, solar PV, battery back-up). The term “building decarbonization” or removal of carbon emissions from buildings, will also be used in the roadmap as another way to describe projects that include all-electric, energy efficient systems and appliances.

Figure 1. All-electric, energy-efficient, and electrical systems and appliances within the home.

Smart Thermostats
can save you up to 23% on annual
heating and cooling costs.

Induction Cooktops
are more energy efficient, provide
precision and control for exact
temperatures, and eliminate harmful
indoor air pollutants from gas stoves.

Insulation and Air Sealing
upgrading can save you 15% on your
yearly heating and cooling costs.

Ductless Mini-Splits
heat and cool your home with an
all-in-one appliance, and avoid
ductwork which can waste as much
as 30% of the energy your HVAC
system produces. Ducted heat pumps
are also options that can save on
energy costs.

Solar + Battery Storage
a back-up solar battery system can keep
your power on during public safety power
shutoffs. Battery systems can store solar
energy for use during peak demand times,
thus saving on electricity costs with time-ofuse utility rates.

Heat Pump Water Heaters
are 2-3x more efficient than
a gas water heater, and you
can save as much as $300
annually by upgrading.

An Optimized Electrical Panel
is critical to supporting a
healthy grid. Try working
within the existing panel
capacity, choose less powerhungry devices, and/or use
energy management devices
first before increasing panel
size.

Solar Panels
protect you from rising electricity
costs, and federal tax credits can
save you as much as 30% on
installation costs.

Heat Pump Dryers
heat the air to remove moisture from clothes,
reuses the heat, then releases the warm, humid
air through an evaporator instead of a dryer vent
to outside the home. This can reduce energy use
by at least 28% and save on installation costs
because ventilation is not required.
19 1.3 Benefits
All-electric buildings create benefits for
building occupants and communities. Consider
the following:

1. Today’s electric systems and
appliances are critical to
reducing climate impact and
more efficient when compared
to buildings running on mixed
fuels (electric + gas). Modern
induction and heat pump technology
are substantially more efficient, cheaper
to operate when compared to gas or
older electric resistance counterparts,
and, when run on grid or off-grid
renewable energy, can accelerate
the reduction of GHG emissions – air
pollutants responsible for climate
change.

2. Electrified buildings can reduce
health risks. Electrification can
create healthier, safer, and more
resilient homes and neighborhoods by eliminating indoor and outdoor pollutants such as nitrous oxides (NOx), particulate matter, carbon monoxide and benzene – gas pollutants known to cause death, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, heart diseases, and cancer, among other health issues4. In addition, heat pump technology both heats and cools buildings, providing critical protection from life-threatening heat events, while filtering out dangerous particulates during smoke events.

3. The risk of gas pipeline ruptures and fires can be eliminated with the absence of gas infrastructure. Even in more rural West Marin – where there is an absence of PG&E gas infrastructure beneath and within buildings – residences and businesses are required to use large propane tanks or run on inefficient electric resistance systems to power buildings. In addition to eliminating the risk of propane tank ruptures across West Marin, the installation of electric powered heat pumps can reduce the net costs of using propane, especially when systems are connected to battery powered generators.

4. Electrified buildings can reduce grid strain. This concept may sound counter intuitive, but electrical demand can be reduced when efficient electrical appliances and electrical systems are appropriately designed and installed through demand management.

Equity Described
This report uses the term “equity” or
“equitable” often. Equity can be defined
as “the just and fair inclusion into a society
in which all can participate, prosper, and
reach their full potential” (2022 Race Equity
Action Plan), Marin County Office of Equity).

However, society has been systemically
unfair and not inclusive to all, especially the
disparate treatment of people of color, lowmoderate income (LMI) households and/ or vulnerable communities (e.g., seniors
aging-in-place, disabled, marginally housed,
etc.). Disparities are exacerbated especially
with catastrophic events such as pandemics,
earthquakes, fires, heat waves, floods, and
storm surges.
4 Physicians for Social Responsibility. 2022. Gas stove pollution factsheet. Downloadable at https://psr.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/05/gas-stove-pollution.pdf. 20 1.4 Elevating Equity
The roadmap’s actions were enhanced by integrating equity into the development process and each recommended action. The roadmap followed the “Housing Electrification Community Roadmap Template” developed by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Emerald Cities Collaborative, and local government staff5. In the process of creating an electrification plan, it is best practice to evaluate impacts and elevate opportunities to benefit those frequently underserved. In the context of this document, underserved includes people of color, low-moderate income (LMI) households especially renters in multi-unit developments that are typically cost6- and/or energy7 burdened, and vulnerable communities8.

The following steps were taken to evaluate and integrate equity into the actions put forth in the roadmap:

1. A Building Inventory of Marin’s building stock was performed alongside an equity analysis of its residences. (See Appendix A: Building Stock Inventory and Equity Analysis.) The equity analysis identified West Marin, North Marin/Downtown Novato, San Rafael’s Canal District and Downtown, Strawberry and Marin City as communities most underserved. The intent is not to prefer one community over another, but rather, identify opportunities to reduce barriers when delivering benefits of electrification and building upgrades to the community.

2. A three-part community workshop series with stakeholders was conducted. Stakeholders aided in co-developing the actions as seen in this roadmap. (See Section 2.0 Community Participation and Co-Development Process below.)

3. The roadmap integrates equity into each action. Each action was examined to improve equitable outcomes for those most underserved. (See Section 3.0 Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities below.)

1.5 Challenges and Solutions
All new California homes today are required to be built to modern standards. Newer homes can accommodate today’s electric appliances while providing increased comfort and energy efficiency.

One of Marin’s biggest barriers to electrifying is not its newly constructed buildings, rather, the existing – often much older – buildings. This challenge is exacerbated by an electrical grid in need of modernization.

Six key challenges and solutions to electrifying existing buildings have been summarized (Table 1).

Each challenge listed in the table contains a hyperlink which links to a more detailed policy and literature review of that topic. (See Appendix B: Examining the Challenges and Solutions to Marin’s Allelectric Transition.) Although commercial buildings are not specifically addressed here, there is often an overlap between challenges and solutions for residential homes and commercial buildings. 5 Rocky Mountain Institute and Emerald Cities Collaborative. Accessed 2024. Equitable home electrification toolkit.

Accessed 2024 available at https://rmi.org/equitable-home-electrification-toolkit/. 6 According to HUD, affordable housing costs should equal 30% or less of a household’s Income at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_article_092214.html. 7 According to Dept. of Energy, energy burden is the disproportionate percentage of income spent on energy costs at https://www.energy.gov/scep/slsc/low-income-community-energy-solutions. 8 Vulnerable populations are best described as, but not limited to, seniors aging-in-place, youth, unhoused or marginally housed residents, non-English speaking people, immigrants, people with disabilities, people who are socially isolated, and people with pre-existing health conditions. 21 Table 1. Challenges and potential solutions to electrifying existing homes in Marin.

Challenge Description Potential Solutions
Aging Residential Buildings 71% of residential buildings countywide are single-family and
94% of these were built before
2000.

Provide electrification and energy
efficiency policies, programs,
and incentives for single-family
residences especially LMI
households and seniors aging-inplace.

Equity, Renter Protection,
and Displacement
29% of residential buildings
countywide are multi-unit dwellings
of which 84% are renters.

Renters especially those in older
buildings require more repairs,
are vulnerable to no-fault evictions
or temporary displacement by
landlords willing to exploit rent
law loopholes during building
rehabilitations.

Work with local, regional and/or
State policymakers to adopt tenant
protection policies that identify
and close any substantial remodel
loopholes.

Voluntary programs that subsidize
landlords such as direct install by
contractor programs, can include
tenant protection assurances as
part of the terms and conditions of
accepting financial assistance.

Grid Modernization and
Reliability
California’s electric grid is old
and needs upgrading to support
increased demands of today’s
power-hungry buildings. According
to a Berkeley Energy Institute study,
utilities such as PG&E are not
expanding their transmission and
distribution network fast enough
to upgrade their grid infrastructure
and meet the State’s climate and
energy goals.

PG&E, CAISO, and CPUC needs
to help speed up expansion of grid
infrastructure. In the meanwhile,
local and regional government and
policymakers can better coordinate
with PG&E to identify locations,
then speed up timelines to connect
and upgrade customers to the grid.

MCE and Marin local governments
can improve electric grid health by
helping households better manage/
reduce energy demand and
optimize electric service panels and
systems.
22 Challenge Description Potential Solutions
Optimizing Electric Service
Panels (aka “breaker
box”)
With three out of four residential
buildings built before 1980, many
of Marin’s existing homes must
choose to optimize (i.e., manage
existing capacity and appliances)
or upgrade and increase their
electrical breaker box and system.

The additional costs to increase
electrical system sizes can cost
owners from ~$3,000 to $25,000.

A more economical option would
be simply seeking to work within
a building’s existing system’s
electrical capacity.

First, local governments should
focus on existing buildings when
adopting green building and
EV charging infrastructure reach
(above and beyond) codes. Then,
as part of that code, electric
readiness standards should be put
forth, prioritizing panel optimization
over upsizing.

Complimentary electric panel
rebate and incentive programs
should also prioritize panel
optimization over panel upsizing.

Furthermore, these programs
should be designed in a way that
prioritizes underserved households.

Policy and Market Trends Regional (2027) and State (2030) policy is mandating a ban on
selling and installing of gas
combusting water or space heating
appliances. In addition, U.S. heat
pump sales outpaced gas furnace
sales. Lastly, Marin County new EV
sales are amongst the highest per
capita in the Country.

California communities, especially
Marin, need to rapidly electrify
and prepare its electrical capacity
to meet growing demand. With
one of the lowest rates of home
electrification in the U.S., California
single-family and multi-unit homes
should rapidly scale-up existing and
innovative policies (i.e., sticks) and
incentive programs (i.e., carrots)
that meet climate action obligations
and improve community health and
safety.

Contracting and Permitting
for Electrification Projects
Stakeholder interviews and focus
group workshops revealed a lack of
qualified, knowledgeable and/or
affordable contractors to install allelectric systems including water and space heat pumps, EV chargers,
and modern electrical systems and
panels.

There is also a lack of technical
knowledge by the building staff
workforce on new technologies
such as heat pump water heaters or
smart panels. This creates
uncertainty and delays permit
review timelines.

State and regional authorities
have developed and continue
to maintain qualified contractor
lists. Simultaneously, MCE, local
governments, community-based
organizations, businesses, and the
building and trades community can
leverage State and Federal funding
to grow and create a diverse and
skilled workforce. The funding can
be used to retrain existing and
generate a new workforce that
simultaneously has access to high
quality and high road9 jobs.

Continual staff training of building
examiners and inspectors in electric
appliance and system technologies
and installations.
9 “High road jobs” means high industry labor standards and established access to clear training pathways for 23 Findings are based on a literature review of policies and programs already developed and interviews of government staff, community-based organizations, and building industry across Marin, California, and the U.S. (See Appendix B: Examining the Challenges and Solutions to Marin’s All-electric Transition.) Challenges and potential solutions surfaced during community stakeholder workshops and a public survey were also considered. For more details on community workshops and participation, see Section 2.0 Community Participation and Co-Development Process below.

The potential solutions in the table above are not yet recommended actions to take. Recommended actions are put forth in Section 3.0 Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities below. building decarbonization jobs, especially for entry-level and disadvantaged workers. See Rising Sun press release on its convening and promotion of equitable job access in the Bay Area. Available for download at https://risingsunopp.org/wpcontent/uploads/Rising-Sun-HRTP-Press-Release.pdf 24 2.0 Community Participation and Co-Development Process

2.1 Vision, Goal and Equity Principles
At the heart of the roadmap was elaborate engagement with and input from Marin’s community members upfront, prior to development of a plan or any decisions made. The County of Marin Community Development Agency and Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (MCEP) embarked on a stakeholder engagement process that started in earnest in January 2023 and concluded June 2024.

The vision for the electrification roadmap’s engagement process was to provide community stakeholders10 a forum to participate in co-developing key components of the plan.

The goal was to ensure that an implementable countywide plan was developed through comprehensive research and by creating a space for robust collaboration between elected officials, City/Town government staff, public/regional agencies, community-based organization representatives, building and development practitioners and industry, and youth/student voices.

Implementing actions that deliver equitable outcomes was discussed throughout the process, especially during community workshops. The following summarizes the core equity principles surfaced during those engagements:

1. Conduct community engagement activities that give participants the opportunity to develop proposed actions.

2. Prioritize and increase incentive and rebate program access to underserved, hard-to-reach residences, and families.

3. Develop programs that do not escalate costs for renters and homeowners on fixed incomes or considered low-to-moderate income. Develop policy solutions that minimize the potential for gentrification and resident displacement.

4. As the workforce grows, ensure there is a diverse community of new and existing contractors being trained for high quality jobs while simultaneously giving access to wrap-around services (e.g., transportation and childcare subsidies) and career development opportunities.

2.2 Community Engagement Approach and Process
First, a steering committee was established consisting of MCEP members including sustainability and community engagement staff with the County of Marin, City of San Rafael, City of Novato, Town of Corte Madera, Town of San Anselmo, Town of Fairfax, and Marin Clean Energy. The steering committee met every other week over 14 months to establish an approach and strategy to developing the electrification roadmap. In addition to recommending when and who to engage in the community, the committee recommended how to best engage. The committee wanted to ensure a diversity of interests came together in one room over a series of interactive and productive workshops and conversations. They also emphasized the need for attendance of voices typically excluded from engagement, especially organizations and individuals that represent Marin’s underserved communities.

Second, stakeholders were invited to participate in three planned workshops over a five-month period. The ask of community stakeholders was to collectively recommend actions to put forth in the electrification roadmap. Based on need, availability, and capacity, some stakeholders volunteered to take a more active role in co-development while some lacked capacity and instead preferred to simply stay informed of the roadmap’s progress or not participate at all. Stakeholders ranged from government actors and public agencies (e.g., elected officials, city/town/county staff, and utilities), community10 In contrast to individuals, stakeholders are organizations or entities who serve the needs of a group of individuals, neighborhoods, or residences and businesses across Marin. Stakeholders serve communities that will be affected by and can affect building policy and programs.
25 based organizations (e.g., those who prioritize underserved residences, environmental/climate action, and seniors aging-in-place), the building community (e.g., contractors, developers, REALTORS, architects), and youth and student advocates, among others. See Appendix C: Community Engagement Findings and Results, Table C-1 for a detailed list of workshop series participants.

Third, a survey (in English and Spanish) of the actions co-developed with workshop participants was widely distributed for public feedback. Workshop participants and the organizations they represent, government communications staff and elected officials across 12 jurisdictions, and public regional agencies (e.g., Marin Health and Human Services, MCE, and Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM)) helped distribute the survey. As a result, 385 people responded to the survey which asked for their impression of the 10 recommended actions and how they would prioritize implementation.

Survey results were published online11 and included in the appendices. (See Appendix C: Community Engagement Findings and Results, Public Survey Process and Results.) Lastly, feedback loops with stakeholders were established. Progress was publicly shared online12.

In addition, in-person and virtually ad-hoc conversations, progress updates, and presentations to organizations and their members were given. Four iterations of key components to the roadmap were co-developed and shared with workshop participants during and after the completion of the workshop series. (See Appendix D: Key Actions Worksheet – Descriptions, Details, Equity Considerations, and Implementing Partners.) Workshop and survey findings were consolidated to begin writing the electrification roadmap herein.
11 County of Marin Community Development Agency Sustainability Division. 2023. Building Electrification Roadmap Survey: Actions to Electrify Our Buildings and Vehicles. Results available for download at https://www.marincounty.org/ depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/electrify-marin/green-building-development/electrification-roadmap. 12 County of Marin Community Development Agency Sustainability Division. 2023-2024. Marin Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap landing webpage. Available at https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/ electrify-marin/green-building-development/electrification-roadmap. 26 2.3 Summary of Workshop Findings
Nearly 16 months of active engagement resulted in the following (Figure 2):

1. Over 20 steering committee meetings

2. 3 in-person stakeholder workshops, attended by 42, 36, 26 people, respectively, representing community-based organizations (CBOs), building community and practitioners, government staff, appointed climate commissioners, and regional and public agencies, including utilities.

3. 7.5 to 10 volunteer hours by each participant to learn, share resources, develop key components of the roadmap, and co-develop actions.

4. 10 key actions (with 40 sub-actions) were put forth. (See Section 3.1. Ten Actions.)

5. A public survey of 385 respondents provided comment on the 10 key actions. (See Appendix C: Community Engagement Findings and Results.) Figure 2. Stakeholder participation in the co-development of the electrification roadmap. 20+ Steering
Committee
42, 36, 26
attendees
City, Town,
Government Staff
Three Workshops
CBOs (DACs,
Aging-in-Place,
Environmental)
Climate
Commissions

7.5--10 Volunteer
hours/person
Building Community
(Realtors, Contractors,
Architects, Designers)
Utilities (PG&E, MCE)
10 Actions w/40
sub-actions recommended 385 respondent survey
27 3.0 Proposed Actions to Electrify Our Communities
This section is the heart of the roadmap. It can be used as a guide for our community to transition to an all-electric future. It is broken up into three parts:

3.1 Ten Actions to Transition

3.2 Phasing Ten Actions: A Proposed Timeline between 2024 and 2031

3.3 In-depth discussion of the proposed actions and tasks to implement

3.1 Ten Actions
There are ten actions important to unlocking Marin’s path to an all-electric future (Figure 3). These actions reflect in-depth research of current and anticipated policies and programs, co-development with community stakeholders, and insight from the broader community.

Figure 3. Recommended ten actions to electrify Marin.

Establish and implement a countywide “Central Hub” of A electrification and energy resources that is accessible to all.

Evaluate and implement permit discount and streamlining B programs that incent gas to electric conversions.

Continue advancing new and existing green building,
electrification, EV, and electric system readiness standards in C sync with State mandatory code update cycles.

Increase residence and business access to low-cost energy, D electrification, and green financing loan programs.

Coordinate with PG&E to improve infrastructure planning E and speed up interconnection timelines.

Support and accelerate the growth and improve the quality of a diverse and skilled building and electrification workforce. F Increase the frequency of engagement, promotion, and
outreach activities to underserved Marin residences. G
Implement the Marin countywide EV Acceleration Strategy. H Explore and implement a time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy. I
Explore and implement a pilot neighborhood-scale
electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project. J 28 3.2 Ten Actions: A Phased Timeline
Transitioning to an all-electric future is a long-term endeavor that requires advanced planning and thoughtful implementation. Hence, the ten actions above were overlayed onto a three-phase timeline:

1. Immediate (2024–2025)

2. Near Term (2026–2027)

3. Long Term (2028–2031)
The timeline indicates when, ideally, to implement the roadmap’s actions over the next six to seven years (Figure 4). However, it can be difficult for a community to implement everything. Government staff and policymakers should also evaluate staff capacity and identify funding mechanisms to meet its electrification goals and 2045 climate action obligations. Simultaneously, other actors in the community should choose which actions they can help with and then decide when and how to support implementation of actions. All actors should coordinate to avoid duplicating efforts. 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
A. Establish and implement a countywide “Central Hub” of electrification and energy resources that is accessible to all.

1. Develop and launch a web-based informational resource hub for community resources.

2. Develop and launch hard copy and in-person promotion and outreach campaigns especially in underserved, hard to reach communities.

3. Investigate the feasilibility and procure resources to launch a turnkey countywide concierge and/or technical assist service for residences and businesses.

4. Develop a concierge and/or technical assistance service for residences and businesses while maintaining and integrating the web-based “central hub.”

5. Launch a concierge technical assistance service for residences and businesses while continuing to maintain and integrate the web-based “central hub.”
E. Coordinate with PG&E to improve infrastructure planning and speed up interconnection timelines.

1. Encourage PG&E to meet SB 410 (Becker), “Powering up Californians Act” which holds utilities accountable to meeting prompt grid interconnection and energization timelines.

2. Proactively coordinate with PG&E on owner/developer planning and communication that helps with PG&E’s service and distribution planning, increases reliability, and reduces energization timelines for new housing.

B. Evaluate and implement permit discount and streamlining programs that incent gas to electric conversions.

1. Evaluate jurisdiction feasibility and capacity to implement an electrification streamlining program that speeds up the permitting process.

2. Evaluate jurisdiction fee structure then implement a subsidized electrification discount program that incentivizes electric over gas installations.

3. Implement permit programs that either reduces mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) costs and/or expedites permit timelines for renovations and appliance upgrades.

C. Continue advancing new and existing green building, electrification, EV, and electric readiness standards in sync with State mandatory code update.

1. 2025 Code Development: Develop prototype green building codes that all twelve Marin jurisdictions can consider to adopt.

2. 2026 to 2028 Code Enforcement: Implement adopted green building code.

3. 2028 Code Development: Develop prototype green building codes that all twelve Marin jurisdictions can consider to adopt.

4. 2029 to 2031 Code Enforcement: Implement adopted green building code.

5. 2031 Code Development: Develop prototype green building codes that all twelve Marin jurisdictions can consider to adopt.

D. Increase residence and business access to low-cost energy, electrification, and green financing loan programs.

1. Evaluate existing low-cost financing programs and increase access to residences and businesses through the central hub and promotional campaigns.

2. Evaluate then consider providing complementary financing options such as a regional tariff on bill financing program that serves single-family and multi-unit residences.

3. If funded and partners are in place, pilot a loan financing program(s) that serves single-family and multi-unit residences and/or businesses.

Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 C
B
A
D
E
Figure 4. Gantt chart of ten actions and tasks to implement between CY2024-Q3 and CY2031-Q4. 29 IMMEDIATE Phase 1 NEAR-TERM Phase 2 LONG-TERM Phase 3 F. Support growth, accelerate and improve the quality of a diverse and skilled building energy and electrification workforce.

1. Continue to fund and expand regional workforce development training programs that benefits a more diverse trades and contractor workforce.

2. Continue growing the pipeline and visibility of regional qualified contractors.

3. Continue to provide free or subsidized access to training programs for builders, realtors, lenders, and local building staff.

4. Continue to explore and support new partnerships with public agencies, local governments, businesses, and/or appliance manufacturers that focus on expanding technology trainings to small, minority-owned businesses.

G. Increase the frequency of existing engagement, promotion, and outreach activities to underserved Marin residences.

1. Build stronger partnerships with Marin community-based organizations that increases rebate, incentive, and financing program access to underserved Marin communities.

2. Partner with and consider funding local community-based organizations to communicate energy and electrification programs and campaigns.

3. In partnership with community-based organizations, perform an annual evaluation, or as needed, of all roadmap actions to ensure equitable outcomes.

H Continue to implement, or in-part, the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy.

1. Each jurisdiction should adopt and determine which strategies as per the 2023 Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy.

I. Explore and map out steps to implement a time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy.

1. Conduct a feasibility study and/or survey of stakeholders to implement a voluntary or mandatory energy assessment and code compliance check at the time of a real estate transaction.

2. If feasible and staff capacity is in place to enforce, identify a Marin jurisdiction(s) to pilot the development of a TLEA policy.

3. If feasible and staff capacity is in place to enforce, continue implementing a TLEA policy and expand to other Marin jurisdictions as needed.

3. Explore funding to collect and analyze PG&E energy data that will help measure existing and project future countywide electrical capacity needs at the neighborhood scale.

4. If funded, analyze and share out report on countywide existing and future electrical capacity needs. 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 J. Explore and map out steps to implement a neighborhood-scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project.

1. Support, as needed, Building Decarbonization Coalition’s (BCD) effort to expand neighborhood scale electrification projects statewide.

2. Evaluate feasibility and funding resources, then identify a location to pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification demonstration project anywhere within the 12 jurisdictions across Marin.

3. If appropriately funded and staff capacity is in place, develop and implement a pilot neighborhood-scale electrification demonstration project.

4. If successful and more funding is procured, continue implementing neighborhood-scale electrification pilots in other locations across Marin.

E. (Continued)
J
I
H
G
F
E
Figure 4. (Continued)
30 IMMEDIATE Phase 1 NEAR-TERM Phase 2 LONG-TERM Phase 3 31 3.3 Ten Actions: Implementing Tasks
This section will discuss, in detail, how the ten phased actions and tasks in Figure 4, can be implemented by organizations and people within the community.

Community Implementors
The roadmap is intended to be a shared endeavor. Much like all climate action strategies, a collective effort is required to successfully implement. All community members (government, elected officials, public agencies, utilities, community-based organizations, builders, developers, realtors, businesses, and residents, among others) can play a role in implementing actions. They can help participate in community engagements, put on community events, incorporate actions into individual work plans, or adopt the roadmap as policy.

Each action will be tagged with potential implementing partners:

Local Government (County, City and Town Staff, Elected Councils w/in Marin) Community-Based Organization (not-for-profit organization providing community services)
Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (interagency collaborative including local governments, MCE, TAM, and Marin GSA that coordinates climate action) Residents and neighborhoods
Businesses (local privately owned and/or operating within county) Marin Clean Energy (Community Choice Aggregation Electricity Provider) Pacific Gas & Electric (Investor-Owned Utility)
Transportation Authority of Marin (Transportation authority countywide) Marin Builders Association (Not-for-profit serving the interests of the construction industry)
Contractor (Individual or Businesses that bid and provide construction project services) Trades associations (organizations serving the interests of unionized construction workers and typically run apprenticeship programs)
Realtors (individual) or Marin REALTORS (Not-for-profit association serving the interests of realtors countywide)
Banks and Lenders (provides financing for real estate transactions or construction projects)
Commercial or nonresidential developer
Housing Developer (Market-rate and Affordable Housing)
BayREN (Regional Energy Network of local governments across the 9 county Bay Area)
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air Quality regulator across the 9 county Bay Area)
LG
CBO
MCEP
RES
BIZ
MCE
PG&E
TAM
MBA
CON
TRA
REAL
LEND
DEV-C
DEV-H
BAY
AIR
32 3rd Party Service Provider (For-profit vendor typically providing turnkey, concierge energy and electrification installation and planning services) California Public Utilities Commission (Statewide utilities regulator) TECH Clean California (Statewide initiative funded to increase clean space and water heater installations)
Zero Waste Marin (countywide joint power authority helping to manage and reduce waste)
Higher education facilities such as community colleges that can provide training programs to those who cannot access apprenticeship programs. 3rd
CPUC
TECH
ZWM
EDU
Reading the Actions and Tasks
All actions are illustrated in the following manner:
• Each action starts with elaborating key objective(s), equity considerations, measure(s) of success, and proposed timeframe to implement.
• Each recommended Action (e.g., “A”) contains Tasks (e.g., “A1”) to implement across three phases.
• All tasks necessary to implement the action are briefly expanded upon.

In addition, note the following:
• Equity considerations are intended to surface possible solutions to ensure inequities are not exacerbated or negative impacts mitigated for vulnerable communities. Solving for underlying and systemic race and social inequities is mostly beyond the scope of this electrification roadmap.
• This roadmap does not require any one person or organization to implement, nor has any one organization yet committed to implementing these actions. • Actions can be implemented as a whole, in-part, or some not at all. • Though some actions are already a part of an organization’s workplan, some actions are not.

Actions will need to be approved by each organization’s governing structure. 33 Action A. A countywide “Central Hub” of electrification and energy resources.

Potential Implementers LG MCEP CBO MCE BAY 3rd

TAM PG&E
Objective(s)
• Create a countywide hub that connects all residences and business to building energy, electrification, and EV resources and services.
• Make it easy for residents and businesses to get their building energy, electrification, and EV related questions answered by clear, concise, and user-friendly access to resources. • Simplify and consolidate otherwise complicated, disparate, and confusing polices (e.g., building requirements) and rebate, incentive, and customer service programs (e.g., local, regional, state, and federal) into one accessible location.

Equity Considerations
• Target campaigns and efforts to benefit low-moderate income (LMI) and hard-to-reach households, renters, and energy burdened communities such as in rural West Marin, North Marin, Downtown San Rafael and the Canal, Strawberry, and Marin City. • Promote regional workforce development programs or initiatives that focus on developing a more diverse and inclusive trades and contractor workforce. (See Action F regarding workforce development.)
• Increase awareness of and access to programs, rebates and incentives that first address deferred maintenance (e.g., termite damage and dry rot).
• Address Split-Incentives – Structure multi-unit residential programs that incentivize and make it easy for both renters and property owners to install energy efficient and electric systems and appliances.

Measure(s) of Success
• Made resources readily available and accessible to those searching online. Ensured that the information is accessible to those individuals that need more hands-on services, language assistance, or otherwise unable to access digital resources. • Increased collaboration across all community actors or “Potential Implementers” as listed above. • All community actors directed inquiries to this hub and designated contacts. • Used existing and new channels of communications to expand outreach to hard-to-reach residences and businesses.

Proposed Timeframe
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q3
CY2024 CY2026
34 Implementation Tasks
□ Task A1. Develop and launch a web-based informational resource hub for community resources. Consolidate all existing State, regional and local programs, services, energy and electrification planning toolkits, incentives, rebates, building code and permit requirements and process, qualified contractors, financing, research, and other related resources into one central accessible website. All community actors should coordinate to route all building energy, electrification, and EV project questions and inquiries through this webpage. Subsidized rebate and incentives programs constantly change. The County of Marin currently maintains a web-based central resource hub for resources with links to electrification resources, tools, and information.
□ Task A2. Develop and launch promotional and outreach campaigns especially in underserved, hard-to-reach communities. A web resource is only effective if people are driven to the site to access the hub’s resources. A coordinated campaign should be developed with a budget and timeline such that a request for funding can be made by local governments as well as non-profit/community-based organizations looking for grants or to grantmake. Conducting complimentary, offline outreach and engagement activities is critical. This includes in-person, door-knocking, social media, newsletters, mailer campaigns, and tabling at community events that target underserved residences.
□ Task A3. Investigate the feasibility and procure resources to launch a countywide concierge and/or technical assist service for residences and businesses. State, regional, and local governments, utilities, and private companies are currently testing a variety of turnkey solutions especially for those who prefer in-person, handholding, help services for more complicated projects, or are unable to access web resources. Many turnkey products are currently piloting; hence, evaluation should also include whether using existing over creating a new service will suffice. Any subsidized program will require funding and staff capacity to develop, launch and maintain. A variety of turnkey projects are currently being piloted across the State including, but not limited to:

1. Local Governments such as City of Sacramento in partnership with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) have launched XeroHome, a free online tool that can help single-family and multi-unit homeowners and renters easily estimate the cost of their retrofit project in minutes, connect residences with contractors, and easily find rebates. The City hopes SMUD can scale this online tool across its territory and procure funding to provide wrap-around personal technical assistance services for those unable to access.

2. Utilities such as PG&E and Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) have launched turnkey solutions.

PG&E currently has a single-point of contact (SPOC) for multifamily program, a free “one-stop shop” model for property owners and managers. In 2025, PG&E has allocated funding to expand a SPOC for residential customers and contractors. PCE currently has an Electrification Technical Assistance Program that provides free technical assistance to architects, builders, developers, design engineers, contractors, and energy consultants to install all-electric systems and EV infrastructure.

3. Third-party services for residents (e.g., QuitCarbon, Onsemble, RockRabbit, Collaboration Energy, ReadySet Replace, EnergySage, Treehouse, etc.) can be used today; however, note the long-term viability of these services is unpredictable and may not exist in the future. □ Task A4 + A5. Develop and launch a concierge and/or technical assistance service for residences and businesses while maintaining and integrating the web-based “central hub.” Should the result of task A3 determine that existing technical service providers are not sufficient to support local needs, and funding is procured implement a Marin specific service, then ensure users can access these services through the central hub. The launch should include funding for offline outreach and engagement activities – as discussed in Task A2 – to maximize reach.
35 COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Marin Green Home Tours
What residents are doing to green their homes
In October 2022, Sustainable Marin
launched the first Marin Green Home Tour,
a free, virtual event spotlighting 10 homes
across the County. Each home served as
a local showcase of practices aimed to
reduce fossil fuel use, produce and use
clean electricity, conserve water, improve air
quality, and promote community resilience.

Home features included induction cooktops,
heat pump HVAC systems, solar panels
paired with battery storage, electric vehicle
chargers, water harvesting setups, and
drought-resistant landscaping. Homeowners
shared their experiences installing and using these sustainable features.

Several all-electric homes were featured, including new construction, retrofit projects, and rental properties. The event attracted over 400 attendees during the live sessions, with a much broader audience accessing the recorded tours via YouTube.

Due to popular demand, a second tour was held in October 2023, and a third is scheduled for October 24, 2024. For further details, resources, and to view archived videos of the featured homes, visit the Marin Green Home Tour webpage.
36 Action B. Permit discounting and streamlining that incent gas to electric conversions.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• Prefer and promote the installation of electric and energy efficient systems over gas and inefficient systems.
• Streamline permitting by reducing permit burden of electric appliances including same day permitting for heat pump water and space heaters, permit discount or waivers, digitizing applications, and scheduling online inspection and approval processes.

Equity Considerations
• Eliminate or further offset the impact of the potential high cost of permitting for income qualified residences.

Measure(s) of Success
• Increased permitted installs of electric and energy efficiency appliances and systems. • Increased the safety of electric appliance and system installs. • Reduced the number of unpermitted electric and appliance installs.

Proposed Timeframe to Implement
□ Task B1. Evaluate jurisdiction feasibility and capacity to implement an electrification streamlining program that speeds up the permitting process.

Building and safety departments can use same day permitting and remote video inspections for electric and energy efficient systems and appliances. For example, the State has required same day streamlined solar PV permitting for jurisdictions of a certain size. Also, the County of Marin currently performs Solar PV, reroofing, and EV charging station video inspections. If similar programs were expanded for electrification projects such as for heat pump water heaters, this could increase permit compliance and installs.
□ Task B2. Evaluate jurisdiction fee structure then implement a subsidized electrification discount program that incentivizes electric over gas installations.

Building and safety departments can use fee discounts or waivers to incentivize applicants, permitting electric and energy efficient system installs (e.g., heat pumps), that may otherwise avoid obtaining proper permits or install another gas appliance. Incentives can include but are not limited to permitting discounts or waiver, combined mechanical-electrical-plumbing (MEP) and electronic inspections. For example, City of St. Helena implemented a “permit holiday sale” on solar PV. As a result, permit submittals tripled in the same time frame13. Also, Santa Clara County’s combined mechanical-electrical-plumbing permit application charges a flat rate for up to three items instead of separately14. Hence, a heat pump water heater installation would 13 Interview with St. Helena’s City Assistant Manager. July 2023. 14 Silicon Valley Clean Energy and TRC. 2020. Best practices guide for streamlining electrification permitting.

LG BAY MCE
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2027
Implementation Tasks
37 require only one permit application and fee for a water heater replacement and the supporting electrical work. If similar incentive programs were expanded for electrification projects, this could increase compliance, quality, and safety of installations. □ Task B3. First pilot, then implement permit programs that simultaneously reduce permit costs and speed up permit timelines for renovations and appliance upgrades. Permit discount programs can be funded and piloted to assess feasibility and impact. County, City, and Town staff, not only has to subsidize the program but also must train building examiners and inspectors on how to permit and identify emerging technologies in the field such as heat pumps, EV chargers, and upgraded electrical systems, among others. Building and safety staff should take ongoing trainings and continuing education classes such as those offered for free by BayREN. Waiving fees alone will not result in more installations if the permit process is too slow or challenging to navigate. Simultaneously reducing cost burden and speeding up permitting is highly recommended as best practice for implementing an effective program.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Marin Clean Energy
Bridging the gap with a heat pump loaner program
Starting Fall 2024, MCE’s emergency
water heater loaner program will provide
funding for participating contractors to
install temporary replacement “loaner”
water heaters while prerequisites to
installing a heat pump water heater
(HPWH) are being arranged. Once
the customer is ready to electrify, the
contractor will uninstall the “loaner” and
replace it with the HPWH. The program
will allow customers whose water heaters
have broken to comfortably transition
to a high efficiency electric HPWH with
minimal disruption to hot water supply. The “loaner” water heaters themselves can then be reused by future customers. On the customer side, installation of HPWHs will reduce indoor and outdoor pollution, increase customer safety, and make homes healthier. In addition, there are several incentive opportunities to reduce total upgrade costs to the system itself as well as ancillary fixes, making the program economically attractive.

For more information contact [email protected].

Downloadable at https://www.svcleanenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Best-Practices-Guide-for-StreamliningElectrification-Permitting_Digital.pdf. 38 Action C. Advancing new and existing green building, electrification, EV, and electric readiness standards.

Potential Implementers LG CBO DEV-H BAY MCE PG&E

MCEP ZWM
Objective(s)
• Reduce GHG emissions and save energy for consumers by updating local building codes that exceed State minimum standards (aka “reach codes”) every three years, which aligns with State mandatory code update cycles.
• Continue developing and implementing proactive green building energy reach codes that are “cost effective” as defined by the California Energy Commission (CEC). • Create as much code uniformity as possible across all 12 Marin jurisdictions to minimize building permit confusion across jurisdictional boundaries.

Equity Considerations
• Include building exceptions, hardship, and feasibility waivers especially for low-income residents and households with special medical and accessibility needs. • Ensure new construction and renovations of low-income multi-unit housing projects are not inhibited.
• Identify sufficient electrification and energy efficiency funding sources for low-income houses. • Encourage use of programs that subsidize energy efficient, all-electric buildings for new affordable housing developments (e.g., California Electric Homes Program implemented by California Energy Commission and TRC).
• Encourage use of housing programs that disincentivize property owners from displacing multiunit renters during renovations or rehabilitation (e.g., multi-family energy saving programs implemented by MCE, BayREN, and PG&E).
• Consider anti-displacement policies as put forth by Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) or Build-it Green.

Measure(s) of Success
• Engaged and partnered with a wide-variety of stakeholders such as government jurisdictions (local, regional, and State), community-based organizations, businesses, building and trades associations, MCE, PG&E, Transportation Authority of Marin, among others, when developing and modeling reach codes countywide.
• Adopted the County’s model green building reach codes that are consistent as possible across all jurisdictions.
• Incorporated policy that anticipates unintended consequences of electrification.

Proposed Timeframe
*Once Every Three Years
in alignment with State
triennial code cycles
Immediate near-term long-term
Q1 Q4
CY2025 CY2031
39 Implementation Tasks
□ Task C1 + C2. During 2025, develop an update to model green building reach codes that all twelve Marin Jurisdictions can adopt and enforce between 2026 to 2028. The State mandates building code updates once every three years with the next cycle starting in 2025 and in effect January 1, 2026. Local governments such as in Marin County are allowed and have historically adopted building codes that exceed those standards while complying with the Energy Policy and Conservation Action of 1974. The best practice is to engage all levels of community stakeholders to right-size a building code policy. The County of Marin and Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) typically coordinate a triennial effort to engage County, City and Town staff, and community stakeholders to help develop key components of a model reach code. This coordination has been used by government staff and electeds to adopt and implement advanced building codes.

In the transition to all-electric appliances, codes should anticipate the following, which are not typically considered in today’s codes:

1. From 2027 to 2031, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) will begin phasing out space and water heating gas appliances from being sold or installed in homes and commercial spaces. In addition, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will begin banning gas space and water heaters from being sold statewide starting in 2030.

2. Require building electrical systems to be properly optimized or sized for the anticipated rapid increase in building electrical needs.

3. Avoid the costly oversizing of electric systems and panels, hence, prefer panel optimization and efficiency (i.e., work within the existing electrical capacity) over panel upsizing.

4. Ensure the use of low (e.g., CO2 and nature based) in place of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in equipment such as heat pumps.

5. Work with Zero Waste Marin (ZWM) to develop and implement disposal protocols for gas and heat pump appliances at end-of-life.

6. Ensure the proper handling of refrigerants at end-of-life such as through EPA 608 certified technicians.

This and subsequent tasks C3, C4, and C5 illustrate the commitment Marin communities make to exceed green building standards.
□ Task C3 + C4. During 2028, develop an update to model green building reach codes that all twelve Marin Jurisdictions can adopt and enforce between 2029 to 2031.
□ Task C5. During 2031, develop an update to model green building reach codes that all twelve Marin Jurisdictions can adopt then enforce between 2031 to 2033.
40 Action D. Access to low-cost energy, electrification, and green financing loan programs.

Potential Implementers LG
CBO

PG&E MCE BAY
MCEP

LEND REAL
CPUC
Objective(s)
• Increase access to existing loan programs for single-family and multi-unit residences as well as commercial properties.
• Consider the creation of new loan programs as needed. • Expand existing real estate industry training and education to banks/lenders and Marin REALTORS.

Equity Considerations
• Green financing programs can benefit LMI and credit-constrained customers who otherwise may not qualify for traditional home equity loans for upgrades. However, care must be taken to ensure promoted programs are not predatory and do not put LMI households under additional financial pressure.
• Target promotions and campaigns that benefit LMI households and landlords that serve lowincome tenants. • Ensure financing is available to households who have poor credit. • Increase access to zero-interest financing for those who can’t afford to take on loan debt.

Measure(s) of Success
• Increased use of green financing loan programs for building renovation projects. • Socialized energy efficiency and electrification as valuable offerings by local realtors and banks/lenders.

Proposed Timeframe
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2027
Implementation Tasks
□ Task D1. Evaluate existing low-cost inancing programs and increase access to residents and businesses through the central hub and promotional campaigns.

Information and resources on financing programs accessible to Marin residents and businesses will be made available through the central hub. (See Action A.) Continue to expand training and education of banks, lenders and Marin Realtors through BayREN’s Green Labeling Program so they may be informed and promote green financing options to clients. A variety of financing products exist today for different types of residence projects, including:
• The State’s Go Green Financing program.
41 • Energy Efficient Mortgages/Green Mortgages such as Fannie Mae Green Financing Loans for single- and multi-unit residences.
• PG&Es zero percent energy efficiency financing program for commercial customers. □ Task D2. Evaluate then consider providing complementary financing options such as a regional tariff on-bill financing program that serves single-family and multi-unit residences. Determine the feasibility with MCE, PG&E and/or CPUC to launch a tariff on-bill financing program (upgrades repaid through a tariff added to the utility bill over time) that is accessible to the regional customer base. While monitoring the potential of an onbill financing project, also advocate for increasing access to other financing options as needed.

For example, in 2021, MCE financed 0% interest home battery loans for residents. Currently, MCE and PG&Es Agricultural and Industrial (AIR) program provides rebates and financing for agricultural and industrial customers upgrading equipment. 42 Action E. PG&E to improve infrastructure planning and speed up interconnection timelines.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• Reduce electric service, interconnection, and energization timelines for buildings.

Equity Considerations
• Work with PG&E to identify areas where interconnection upgrades could be costly to residents and target infrastructure accordingly especially in underserved areas including rural West Marin, North Marin, Downtown San Rafael and the Canal, Strawberry, and Marin City.

Measure(s) of Success
• Reduced service, distribution, and energization timelines for housing developments.

Proposed Timeframe

PG&E LG DEV-H DEV-C MCEP CPUC
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2031
Implementation Tasks
□ Task E1. Encourage PG&E to meet SB 410 (Becker), “Powering Up Californians Act.” This legislation was adopted October 2023 holding utilities accountable to meeting prompt grid interconnection and energization timelines. Communities can coordinate an ongoing effort to communicate with PG&E any delayed projects. □ Task E2. Proactively coordinate with PG&E and owners/developers of projects that help with service and distribution planning. Collaboration and communication with PG&E will increase reliability and reduce interconnection and energization timelines for new housing. Building owners and local governments, especially when developing multi-unit housing, should communicate electrical capacity and service needs to PG&E as early as possible in the planning and design phase. Local governments should work with PG&E to develop standardized communication systems for collecting this information. □ Task E3+E4. Explore funding to collect and analyze PG&E energy data, then, use the data to report countywide electrical capacity needs at the neighborhood scale. The report can assess existing capacity and project future needs. The report can also map out existing natural gas infrastructure which can help identify ideal locations for neighborhood-scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning. 43 Action F. Grow and improve the quality of a diverse and skilled building energy and electrification workforce.

Potential Implementers BAY LG
MCEP

CBO AIR MCE CON

MBA TRA EDU REAL LEND TECH
BIZ 3rd
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2031
Objective(s)
• Prepare and develop the existing trades workforce to meet the increased demand for energy and electrification upgrade services.
• Grow and expand the pipeline of new workers to enter the energy and electrification trades workforce.

Equity Considerations
• Support and expand regional workforce development training programs for a more diverse (women-owned, minority-owned, and non-English speaking) and inclusive trades and contractor workforce.
• Increase training access to a diverse contractor base by bringing programs closer to or at places of work.
• Adopt regional workforce development initiatives and implement training programs that increase job quality, labor standards, and equitable access for all workers in the residential decarbonization market.

Measure(s) of Success
• Launched new or expanded upon existing workforce development programs that brought trainings to a diverse contractor base.
• Increased number of contractors engaged through outreach. • Increased number of contractors that attended trainings and networking events.

Proposed Timeframe
Implementation Tasks
□ Task F1. Continue to fund and expand regional workforce development training programs that benefit a more diverse trades and contractor workforce.

Marin lacks a diverse and qualified contractor base to install energy and electrification projects.

Job market development initiatives such as Rising Sun’s Bay Area Residential Decarbonization High Road Training Partnership are important to setting high labor standards for the regional trades and contractor community. Programs such as the LIME Foundation’s NextGEN Trades Academy is an example of existing training programs that focus on skills and professional 44 development as well as provide wrap-around services (e.g., transportation subsidies) for a new and more diverse contractor workforce. These programs should be expanded because they can result in growing the pipeline of new workers in the building electrification workforce. □ Task F2. Continue growing the pipeline and visibility of regional qualified contractors. The Switch Is On by Building Decarbonization Coalition has direct install programs (i.e., installations subsidized and performed by pre-qualified and approved contractors) where contractors may apply to and be placed on a qualified contractors list. Third party service providers providing concierge services such as QuitCarbon or ReadySet Replace also have a preferred contractors list. All new and existing contractors should be encouraged to apply and connect with program administrators to become qualified and listed. □ Task F3. Continue to provide free or subsidized access to training programs for builders, realtors, lenders, and local building staff. Programs such as BayREN’s Green Labeling and ongoing training and networking events and PG&E’s Energy Center should continue to be promoted, encouraged, and made available in-person and online. Free access, continuing education credit, business development opportunities, and on-the-job worksite trainings should be offered to incent attendance of contractor and trades professionals, realtors, lenders, and local building and safety government staff. □ Task F4. Continue to explore and support new partnerships with public agencies, local governments, businesses, and/or appliance manufacturers that focus on expanding technology trainings to small, minority-owned businesses.

Local government, BayREN, BAAQMD, TAM, MCE, Marin Builders Association, trade unions, community colleges, community-based organizations, and/or manufacturers can come together and fund the growth of and increase access of energy and electrification trainings for Marin’s broader workforce and contractor base.

Bigger, more well-known contractor businesses may have the staff capacity to attend training, but individual, small-minority owned businesses and contractors typically do not have the same luxury to attend in-person or virtual trainings. Hence, it will be important to bring trainings to those that have little time or limited access to attend. For example, manufacturers can lead heat pump water heater installation trainings at locations including community colleges, showrooms, and big box stores such as Home Depot.
45 COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: NextGen Trades Academy
A community partnership that develops a new workforce
In 2023, spearheaded by the
LIME Foundation, a partnership
consisting of MarinCAN, County
of Marin, BayREN, MCE, and the
Transportation Authority of Marin
co-funded the NextGen Trades
Academy. The academy prepares
young adults (ages 18-24) who
may not have the opportunity
to go to college for well-paying
working the construction trades.

The 2023 program provided 16
Marin students with soft job skills
and general construction, green building, green engineering, and electrification trainings. Each graduate also receives 18-months of follow-up support in their job search.

For more information, see the LIME Foundation’s NextGen Trades Academy webpage. 46 Action G. Frequent engagement, promotion, and outreach to underserved Marin residences.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• Expand engagement with underserved communities well after the roadmap is published. • Expand upon opportunities to increase awareness of policies and programs to community members using the electrification roadmap as a touchpoint. • Work with community-based organizations, local government, and public agencies to increase communication channels with “hard-to-reach” community members.

Equity Considerations
• Support community-led planning such as the Marin Climate Justice Collaborative, which includes the Canal Alliance and Marin City Climate and Resilience and Health Justice, among other community-based organizations, public agencies, and local governments. • Target and increase promotional activities in communities with high concentrations of LMI, renting, and energy burdened households such as in rural West Marin, North Marin, Canal, and Marin City, among others.
• Partner with the County of Marin’s Health and Human Services to engage and promote access to hard-to-reach communities through their Community Response Teams that was effective in disseminating critical information during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measure(s) of Success
• Increased reach to underserved households and/or businesses according to three measures:
• Number engaged,
• Number applied to programs, and
• Number of energy and electrification projects installed. • Coordinated a public communications campaign across a variety of Marin community-based organizations, local governments, public agencies, and businesses, among others.

Proposed Timeframe

LG BAY MCEP CBO MCE TAM
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2031
Implementation Tasks
□ Task G1. Build stronger partnerships with Marin community-based organizations that increase rebate, incentive, and financing program access to underserved Marin communities. Underserved households in Marin are the last to take advantage of subsidies including rebates, incentives, or financing dollars. In addition 47 to structuring programs that increase benefit to those underserved such as measures like area median income (AMI), it will be important to increase access through focusing outreach activities. Community-based organization participation and involvement will be critical to expand communication to “hard-to-reach” communities.
□ Task G2. Partner with and consider funding local community-based organizations to communicate energy and electrification programs and campaigns. Community-based organizations serving Marin City, San Rafael, North Marin and West Marin, among others, have already built capacity, trust and strong community networks.

Partnering with and compensating such organizations to perform outreach and promotional activities can speed up and increase access to energy and electrification rebate and incentive programs.
□ Task G3. In partnership with community-based organizations, perform an annual evaluation, or as needed, of all roadmap actions to ensure equitable outcomes. Planned ongoing engagement with community-based organizations should be a part of the electrification roadmap workplan. Furthermore, review of roadmap actions by community-based organizations that serve underserved residents can help ensure equitable engagement and access to benefits.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Marin Climate Justice
Collaborative
Inverting the pyramid of power
In May 2023, Canal
Alliance and Marin City
Climate Resilience and
Health Justice launched
the Marin Climate Justice
Collaborative (MCJC), a
3 to 5 year communityled process co-funded by
Strategic Growth Council
(SGC) and Partners for
Places. In contrast to
traditional government
led planning, MCJC
is a resident-driven,
community-informed
effort where the vision,
priorities, vulnerabilities, and stakeholders are defined by and local decisions about climate health and resilience are made with leaders from Canal and Marin City communities. MCJC will then develop healthy community plans that should result in built capacity (i.e., funding, staffing, support services) for residences, community-based organizations (CBOs), and government. The collaboration is currently under way. Leadership from residents and CBO’s and partnerships with local government such as City of San Rafael and the County of Marin will be needed to expand climate program and policy benefits to underserved communities across Marin.

For more information, visit Marin Climate Justice Collaborative’s formation announcement and SGC Grantee Profile.
48 Action H. Adopt and implement the Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• Local governments adopt and implement, whole or in-part, strategies of the 2023 Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy.

Equity Considerations
• Partner with community-based organizations to increase access and identify quantity and type of charging infrastructure needs in underserved communities, if any. Work with partner CBOs and EV charging installers to minimize potential negative impacts of projects including loss of needed parking and gentrification of communities.
• Use building codes to require charging capability for all residents with parking spaces in multiunit buildings that are affordable and have cost parity with those charging in single-family homes.
• Increase access to voluntary rebate and incentive programs that subsidize property owners who upgrade EV infrastructure for LMI households and seniors aging-in-place. In return for receiving subsidies, landlords must agree to provide tenant protections as part of the terms and conditions of accepting financial assistance.

Measure(s) of Success
• Adopted all, or in-part, the strategies outlined in the 2023 EV acceleration strategy across all jurisdictions.

Proposed Timeframe

MCEP TAM LG
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2031
Implementation Tasks
□ Task H1. Each jurisdiction should adopt and determine which strategies to implement as per the 2023 Marin Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy. 49 Action I. A time of listing energy assessment (TLEA) policy.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• A residential and/or commercial real estate transaction will trigger an energy assessment (aka energy audit) and disclosure at the time the property is listed. • Incentivize and/or require energy assessments to baseline and increase the energy efficiency of aging building stock.
• Design a policy where the seller and buyer find value in performing an energy assessment.

Equity Considerations
• Support and encourage the use of local, legacy, minority, woman-owned and/or BIPOC businesses to conduct energy assessments for homeowners. • Minimize impact to LMI and energy burdened houses such as in rural West Marin, North Marin, Downtown San Rafael and Canal, Strawberry, and Marin City.

Measure(s) of Success
• Standardized energy assessments as a part of inspection reports and disclosures. • Increased the number of buildings receiving energy assessments. • Held community stakeholder meetings between local government, realtors, and community-based organizations to help shape and phase-in a right-sized policy.

Proposed Timeframe

REAL LG CBO BAY MCEP
Immediate near-term long-term
Q1 Q4
CY2026 CY2031
Implementation Tasks
□ Task I1. Conduct a feasibility study to implement an energy assessment and code compliance check at the time a real estate transaction. A feasibility study should first be conducted. First, the study should start with a survey to understand a right-sized policy for the community. Engagement with Marin REALTORS and other individual realtors should be conducted with the objective of listening and learning. In the meanwhile, a policy review of model jurisdictions such as City of Berkeley (Time of Listing Ordinance) and City of Davis (Time of Compliance Check Ordinance) and an estimation of communitywide energy saving and GHG reduction potential should be conducted.

Second, the study should then assess how to best integrate BayREN’s Home Energy Score (HES) program as the approved scoring system15. Subsidies to perform the work are currently available and qualified contractors are listed on the Switch Is On incentives webpage. 15 BayREN’s HES is based on an energy scoring system developed U.S. Department of Energy. BayREN HES program is currently the most widely used to perform energy assessments in the SF-Bay Area. It has recently been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission to launch statewide beginning in 2026. 50 Third, consider the following mechanisms to ensure effective implementation:

1. Type of data acquired (i.e., from Assessor’s, Zillow, and/or Redfin) to track when a property is listed,

2. In addition to an energy score, also assess other types of code compliance checks to conduct as determined by the building official,

3. A refundable transfer tax to ensure compliance,

4. Reduce lead times to perform assessments, and

5. Minimize excess costs and timelines disproportionate to the overall cost and closing of a real estate transaction.

Lastly, local or regional government should determine which department(s) should implement, then, evaluate the staff capacity and funding available to enforce such a policy. □ Task I2. If feasible and staff capacity is in place to enforce, identify a Marin jurisdiction(s) to pilot the implementation of a TLEA policy. It is difficult to get a consistent policy countywide because each of Marin’s local jurisdictions (12) would need to separately adopt a policy. Instead consider a pilot of one or two jurisdictions. In addition, consider starting with a voluntary TLEA policy. That is, incentivize by subsidizing and not requiring an assessment as part of the initial launch. This should allow time to assess how the market will react, iron out any implementation wrinkles, quantify potential savings, and whether requiring an energy assessment will be necessary and impactful. □ Task I3. If feasible and staff capacity remains in place to enforce, continue implementing a TLEA policy and expand to other Marin jurisdictions as needed.

Marin local governments have a long history of modeling and sharing policy and program learned lessons with each other. If a pilot proves successful in one or two jurisdictions, then, other jurisdictions should consider adopting a similar policy. Scaling countywide will create more policy and market consistency.
51 Action J. A neighborhood scale electrification and gas infrastructure decommissioning project.

Potential Implementers
Objective(s)
• In contrast to the typical “appliance-by-appliance” or “house-by-house approach,” neighborhood scale electrification can demonstrate the feasibility of pooling a community’s resources by decarbonizing entire neighborhoods, street segments, or developments. • Reduce a neighborhoods total cost of installation, increase ratepayer savings, and ensure reliability and safety by decarbonizing at scale.
• Decommission gas piping infrastructure so that it does not become a stranded and expensive asset for communities to maintain and subsidize.

Equity Considerations
• Evaluate prioritizing a pilot in underserved neighborhoods, a demographic typically left out from realizing the benefits of decarbonization. This includes communities such as LMI, hard-to-reach households, renters and energy burdened communities or developments such as in rural West Marin, North Marin, Downtown San Rafael and Canal, Strawberry, and Marin City. • Ensure funding is available for deferred maintenance in addition to energy and electrification upgrades.

Measure(s) of Success
• Procured funding to evaluate and engage a community to consider a project. • Procured funding and launched a pilot within one of 12 Marin Jurisdictions.

Proposed Timeframe

PG&E RES LG MCEP CBO DEV-H
Immediate near-term long-term
Q3 Q4
CY2024 CY2031
Implementation Tasks
□ Task J1. Support, as needed, Building Decarbonization Coalition’s (BDC) effort to expand neighborhood scale electrification projects statewide. Building Decarbonization Coalition is a member-driven, non-profit organization that brings together industry and government looking to eliminate fossil fuels in buildings. BDC has released a neighborhood scale decarbonization brief and is working to align existing State policy and prioritize funding to support statewide neighborhood scale electrification projects. Local and regional government as well as community-based organizations can, for example, write letters of support as need arises.
□ Task J2. Evaluate feasibility and funding resources, then identify a location to pilot a neighborhood-scale electrification demonstration project anywhere within the 12 jurisdictions across Marin. Neighborhood scale electrification will require all property owners within a neighborhood or development to agree to participate in a project.

A project will require a community’s willingness and time. Funding from a variety of community 52 stakeholders and resources will also be required. Funding must first be procured to assess the feasibility of launching a pilot and to carefully choose a location based on criteria that is fair and equitable.
□ Task J3. If appropriately funded and staff capacity is in place, develop and implement a pilot neighborhood-scale electrification demonstration project. The pilot project will require funding, separate from the feasibility study, likely in the form of grants from the State level – pending BDC and other entities’ success in lobbying the State to support.

Still, at this point, even if one property owner backs out of the pilot, the project will be at risk of not moving forward16.
□ Task J4. If successful and more funding is procured, continue implementing neighborhood-scale electrification pilots in other locations across Marin. 16 In California, regulated utilities, such as PG&E, have an “obligation to serve” which ensures that the utilities offer service to anyone who requests it in their service territory. This can result in one hold-out gas user preventing the whole neighborhood scale project from moving forward. More information is available in the Building Decarbonization Coalition report “Decarbonizing the Obligation to Serve.”
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap

4.0 Appendices
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap

4.1 Appendix A
Building Stock and Equity Analysis
Residential Building Inventory and Equity Analysis Highlights GHG Emissions
26% of GHG emissions
come from the consumption of
gas in buildings.

Housing Stock
Nearly 75% of gas emissions
in buildings come from gas
consumption in residential buildings.

Over 1/2 million
“machines” including vehicles,
appliances, and heating systems
will need to be electrified to meet
our climate reduction targets.
71% of the residential building
stock is comprised of single-family
homes, and 82% of these homes
are owner-occupied making them
easier to electrify because owners
can directly benefit from the
change.

Approximately 75% of homes
were built before 1980 meaning
they are more likely to need
electrical panel upgrades and may
be prime candidates for income
qualified incentive and rebate
programs.

Approximately 6% of homes
were built after 2000 and may
already have air conditioning which
eliminates one of the benefits of
switching to a heat pump system.
17,000+ homes built
between 1980 and 2000 are in
the “sweet spot” for electrification
opportunities because they likely
have 200-amp service and aging
appliances, and systems in need of
replacement.

Equity
1 in 3 households across
Marin are below the statewide
median income of $78,672 of
which the majority are renters.
6% of low-income
residences across West Marin
experience energy burden
compared to Marin’s overall
average of 1%. Due to a lack
of gas infrastructure piped
in via PG&E, West Marin
residences rely mainly on the
purchase of more expensive
bottled gas and fuel oil as
the primary source to heat
their homes making them
more vulnerable to supply
chain disruptions during
emergencies.
57% of all renters in Marin
County are in the extremely
low, very low, and low-income
categories.
10% of Marin’s populations
are considered disabled with
high concentrations in San
Margarita Valley, Novato,
East to Downtown San Rafael,
Marin City, Greenbrae, and
Tiburon. When overlaid with
Social Vulnerability data, San
Margarita Valley, Novato, East
to Downtown San Rafael,
and Marin City are most
likely sensitive to utility
price changes
and building
upgrade costs.
56 Building Stock Analysis
A building inventory report was completed November 2023. The report summarizes findings from performing a residential and commercial building stock analysis across all twelve of Marin’s City, Town, and County jurisdictions. Analyses performed separately for each jurisdiction is available upon request by contacting [email protected] or [email protected].

Building Analysis Summary
I. Building Stock Analysis
MCEP has prepared a study of all residential and commercial buildings countywide and for all twelve Marin jurisdictions.

The study shows the following:

1. GHG emissions from natural gas (referred to herein as “gas”) consumed

2. Housing tenure

3. Age of building (year built)

4. Type of residential building (single-family, multifamily, etc.)

5. Type of commercial building (retail, restaurant, lodging, industrial, etc.)

6. Gas consumption by end use (space heating, water heating, cooking, etc.)

7. Type of electrification needs (water heating, space heating, cooking, etc.)

8. Number of homes that need to be electrified
II.Countywide Summary of Facts and Observations
• 26% of GHG emissions come from the consumption of gas in buildings. It is essential to reduce these emissions if we are to meet our 2030 emission reduction targets.
• Over ½ million appliances, equipment and vehicles will need to be electrified to meet our climate reduction targets.

Residential Building Analysis
• Nearly three-quarters of gas emissions come from residential buildings.

Focusing efforts on this sector is critical to meeting reduction targets. • 71% of the residential building stock is comprised of single-family homes, and 82% of these homes are owner-occupied. These 60,000 homes might be easier to electrify because the people who own them can make the decision to do so and they will benefit from the change.
• Approximately three-quarters of homes were built before 1980. Unless subsequently remodeled, these homes are more likely to have a 100-amp electrical panel that needs to be upgraded to accommodate a heat pump heating system or heat pump hot water heater. This adds to the cost of the project. • Approximately 6% of homes were built after 2000 and may already have air conditioning (which eliminates one of the benefits of switching to a heat pump heating system) and/or an instantaneous hot water system (which may be installed in a smaller space that does not accommodate a larger heat pump hot water heater).
• The “sweet spot” for electrification opportunities may be the 17,000+ homes built between 1980 and 2000 because these homes are more likely to have 200- amp service and aging appliances and systems in need of replacement. Of these, approximately two-thirds are single family homes and/or are owner-occupied. • The study suggests countywide efforts should be focused on retrofitting water heaters first.

1. Consider the following percent of countywide homes that need to electrify their appliances:
 81% water heating
 80% space heating
 73% ranges/ovens
 42% clothes dryers
 4% pool heating equipment
 3% spa heating equipment

2. Consider how gas is used in countywide homes:
 58% water heating
 32% space heating
 5% cooking
 2% clothes dryers
 2% pool and spa heating equipment
 1% other uses
Commercial Building Analysis
• 26% of gas emissions come from consumption in commercial buildings. • Nearly half of commercial gas is used for space heating and one-third is used for water heating. Consider how gas is used in commercial buildings:
 47% space heating
 32% water heating
 10% cooking
 9% processing
 1% cooling
 1% other uses
• Approximately 60% of commercial buildings were built between 1941 and 1980. These buildings are most likely at or near the end of their useful life and are prime candidates for electrification when redeveloped. (Note that 15% of the buildings in the dataset did not indicate the year built). Consider the year commercial buildings were built:
 Before 1901 – 3%
 1901-1920 – 9%
 1921-1940 – 10%
 1941-1960 – 24%
 1961-1980 – 35%
 1981-2000 – 15%
 2001-2020 – 3%
 After 2020 – 1%
III. Data Sources and Methodology
• The residential building analysis utilizes the best available data from:

1. US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2021 5-year estimates),

2. Department of Finance’s E-5 Housing Estimates (2022), and

3. California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019). • The commercial building analysis utilizes the best available data from:

1. California Commercial End Use Survey (2006)

2. CoStar (2023), a private, subscription-based company that provides commercial real estate data. Note that CoStar reports ‘Rentable Building Area”; buildings and spaces that are not rented, such as most schools and public facilities, are underrepresented in the dataset.

3. 15% of the buildings from the CoStar dataset did not indicate the year built, and thus was excluded from the Year Built analysis. • The numbers provided in the analysis are estimates only.

Marin Countywide
Building Inventory Analysis
Disclaimer
Many of the tables in this report are sourced from data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), the California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey, and the California Commercial End-Use Survey, all of which are surveys and as such, are subject to sampling variability. This means that data is an estimate, and that other estimates could be possible if another set of respondents had been reached. We use the five-year release of the ACS to get a larger data pool to minimize this “margin of error” but particularly for the smaller cities, the data will be based on fewer responses, and the information should be interpreted accordingly.

We also use data from the California Department of Finance (DOF). Data used in these estimation models come from administrative records of several state and federal government departments and agencies, and from the local jurisdictions for which the DOF produces population estimates.

We also use data from CoStar, a subscription-based private company that provides commercial real estate data and analytics. CoStar reports data on building use, building age, and rentable building area, which is compiled from sales, lease, and loan information and well as public records like assessor data. Data is incomplete for some properties and may contain errors. Public facilities are not represented unless they are rented or contain space that is rented.

Marin Countywide GHG Emissions 2020
Built Enviroment - Electricity
5%
Passenger Vehicles
43%
Medium and Heavy Duty
Vehicles
10%
Public Transportation
1%
Waste
4%
Water & Wastewater
<1%
Off-Road
2%
Residential Natural Gas
19%
Non-residential Natural Gas
7%
Propane
<1%
Agriculture
9%
Total Emissions
1,400,209 MTCO2e
Source: Marin Climate & Energy Partnership
Natural Gas Share of GHG Emissions 2020
44%
14%
30%
19%
27%
19%
52%
27%
16% 18%
31%
18% 19%
4%
5%
4%
8%
6%
7%
4%
5%
8%
10%
4%
6% 7%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Natural Gas Emissions as Percent of Communitywide Emissions Residential Nonresidential
Source: Marin Climate & Energy Partnership
Gas (Natural) Consumption by End Use
Space Heating
32%
Water Heating
58%
Dryer
2%
Range/Oven
5%
Pool & Spa Heating
2%
Misc
1%
Heating
47%
Water Heating
32%
Cooking
10%
Processing
9%
Cooling
1%
Misc.
1%
Residential Commercial
74% / 26% of Countywide Gas Consumed
Sources: California Department of Finance , E-5 (2022); California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019); CoStar (2023); California Commercial End-Use Survey (2006). 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
9 Over ½ Million
Appliances,
Equipment and
Vehicles to
Replace
89k space heaters
91k water heaters
82k stoves/ovens
47k dryers
9k spa/pool pumps
Commercial water heaters, furnaces,
boilers and other equipment (cooking,
pool, dryers, etc.)
176,000 light-duty vehicles
19%
7%
43%
11% Medium and heavy
-duty vehicles
How many need to
be electrified?
% Total
Emissions
2% Construction, landscaping and agricultural
off-road vehicles and equipment

1. Residential Building Inventory Analysis
Residential
Natural Gas
Emissions
74%
Nonresidential
Natural Gas
Emissions
26%
Housing Counts by Type
Marin County has
~112,000 housing units
71% are single family
82% of single-family
homes are owned
84% of multifamily
homes are rented
Source: American Community Survey (2021)
60,473
4,488
12,892
24,272
0 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
Single Family Multifamily
Tenure by Housing Type
Owned Rented
Housing Counts by Vintage and Type
Marin County has
~112,000 housing units
71% are single family
82% of single-family
homes are owned
84% of multifamily
homes are rented
More likely to need
panel replacement 200A Service
Instantaneous Gas Water Heaters
Has AC
Source: American Community Survey (2021)
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
1939 or earlier 1940 to 1959 1960 to 1979 1980 to 1999 2000 to 2019 2020 or later Vintage by Housing Type and Tenure
Mobile Home
Multifamily Rented
Condo Owned
Single Family Rented
Single Family Owned
How many homes will need electrification measures?
Sources: California Department of Finance , E-5 (2022); California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019) Water Heating
91k water heaters
need replacement
81% of homes
Space Heating
80% of homes
89k heaters need
replacement
Cooking
73% of homes
82k cooktops/ovens
need replacement
Dryers
42% of homes
47k dryers need
replacement
Pool Heating
4% of homes

4.4k pool heaters
need replacement
Spa Heating
4% of homes

4.9k spa heaters
need replacement
Residential Gas Consumption by End Use
Sources: California Department of Finance , E-5 (2022); California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019) Space Heating
32%
Water Heating
58%
Dryer
2%
Range/Oven
5%
Pool & Spa Heating
2% Misc
1%
51,680
59,900
32,990
49,43049,434
3,370 4,020
11,020
12,770
7,030
10,540
3,910
2,570
900
3,160
21,130
13,890
4,840
17,080
0 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
Space Heating Water Heating Dryer Range/oven Pool Heating Spa Heating Gas Equipment by Housing Type
Mobile Homes
Multfamily Rented
Multifamily Condo
Single Family Rented
Single Family Owned
Scale of Electrification by Housing Type
89,110 90,800
46,650
81,920
4,410 4,900
Sources: California Department of Finance , E-5 (2022); California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019) Numbers may not add due to rounding
Electrification Needs by Housing Type
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Single Family Town Homes Two to Four Five Plus Mobile Homes Percent of Homes with Electrification Needs by Housing and Equipment Type
Space Heating
Water Heating
Dryer
Range/oven
Pool Heating
Spa Heating
Sources: California Department of Finance , E-5 (2022); California Residential Appliance Saturation Survey (2019)

2. Commercial Building Inventory Analysis
Residential
Natural Gas
Emissions
74%
Nonresidential
Natural Gas
Emissions
26%
Gas Consumption By End Use in Commercial Buildings
Sources: CoStar (2023); California Commercial End-Use Survey (2006). CoStar data reports Rentable Building Area and underrepresents public facilities and schools Heating
47%
Water Heating
32%
Cooking
10%
Processing
9%
Cooling
1%
Misc.
1%
Gas Use By End Use and Commercial Building Type
0 1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
Heating Water Heating Cooking Processing Cooling Misc.

Small Office (<30k ft2)
Large Office (>=30k ft2)
Retail
Restaurant
Health
Lodging
Industrial/Warehouse
Miscellaneous
Sources: CoStar (2023); California Commercial End-Use Survey (2006). CoStar data reports Rentable Building Area and underrepresents public facilities and schools Commercial Buildings Year Built
Sources: CoStar (2023); approximately 15% of buildings do not have Year Built data 3%
9%
10%
24%
35%
15%
3%
1%
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Before 1901 1901-1920 1921-1940 1941-1960 1961-1980 1981-2000 2001-2020 After 2020 77 Building Equity Analysis
A Building Equity Report was completed June 2024. The report analyzes demographic data across all twelve of Marin’s City, Town, and County jurisdictions.

Building Electrification Equity Analysis
Introduction 78
Race and Social Equity 78
Purpose 79
Background 80
Key Indicators 81
Social Vulnerability 82
Income 86
Rent Burden (Multi-unit Properties) 87
Energy Burden 90
Age and Disability 91
Equity Challenges and Solutions 94
Case Studies 97
City of Santa Monica: Community Engagement and Equity Principles 97 City of Berkeley: Centering Equity and Guardrails 98
Conclusion 98
78 Introduction
Building electrification is a key policy across California to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and save energy for the consumer. Developing an electrification plan, or roadmap is prudent because it will prepare the community for this rapid and inevitable transition.

This study examines the impacts of building electrification through an equity lens, aiming to ensure an inclusive transition away from natural gas (also referred to as “gas” herein) to all-electric buildings. Within the context of this report, the term “electrification” and “all-electric" also includes energy efficiency (e.g. insulation) upgrades.

Race and Social Equity
This report uses the term “equity” or “equitable” often. Equity can be defined as “the just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential” (Marin County Office of Equity, 2022). However, society has been systemically unfair and not inclusive to all, especially the disparate treatment to people of color. Disparities are exacerbated especially with catastrophic events such as pandemics or climate change. Hence, it is best practice to lead with race (people of color) when assessing climate policies or programs through an equity lens.

This building electrification equity analysis is leading with an equity lens. It also considers intersectionality between race and other forms of marginalization. The interconnected nature of social categorizations (e.g., income, age, disabilities, housing burden, level of education, etc.) can create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination and disadvantage. When race is intersected with any other disadvantaged social categorization, the outcomes for that individual or group are worse. If not designed to advance racial and social equity, a building electrification strategy or action will be less likely to succeed in reducing disparate impacts to communities of color. 79 The use of census data is well established practice to best analyze race and social indicators across census tracts. An example of local governments accounting for race and social indicators is in the development of housing elements. California AB 686 (2017) requires housing elements to include an analysis of barriers that restrict access to opportunity and a commitment to specific meaningful actions to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH)1. Housing elements are required to identify impacts of systemic issues such as residential segregation, housing cost burden, and unequal educational or employment opportunities to the extent these issues create and/or perpetuate discrimination against protected classes2. In alignment with the County of Marin’s 2023- 2031 Housing Element (County of Marin Community Development Agency Housing and Federal Grants Division, 2023) this study will analyze data characteristic of similar geographic populations such as race, low-moderate income (LMI) households especially those cost burdened3 and/or energy burdened4, and/or other vulnerable communities5 across Marin. For context, these populations will be referred to herein as “underserved.” Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts of building electrification on underserved populations across Marin, countywide. It will analyze 2020 census data, overlay geographic locations to identify key communities/areas to consider deployment 1 “Affirmatively furthering fair housing” is defined to mean taking meaningful actions that “overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity” for communities of color, persons with disabilities, and others protected by California law. 2 A protected class is a group of people sharing a common trait who are legally protected from being discriminated against on the basis of that trait.
3 According to HUD, affordable housing costs should equal 30% or less of a household’s Income. See https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_article_092214.html. 4 According to Dept. of Energy, the disproportionate percentage of income spent on energy costs. See https://www.energy.gov/scep/slsc/low-income-community-energy-solutions. 5 Vulnerable populations are best described as seniors aging-in-place, youth, unhoused or marginally housed residents, non-English speaking people, immigrants, people with disabilities, people who are socially isolated, and people with pre-existing health conditions. 80 of focused strategies. It will offer some policy and program approaches that target these communities but will stop short of recommending actual actions. Actions will be codeveloped with members of the community as part of the countywide building electrification roadmap. This study does not:

1. Imply one community should be preferred over another,

2. Assess the commercial building stock,

3. Include the building stock inventory and characterization study6, which was conducted separately from this report, and

4. Put forth solutions needed to overcome equity challenges when electrifying.

Rather, this study analyzes key equity indicators, then recommends best practices policymakers, public agencies, or community-based organizations may want to take so they may bolster services to and reduce any unintended consequences a policy or program may have on underserved communities.

Background
The objective of an electrification plan is to put forth actions that reduce carbon emissions in buildings by shifting from gas to all-electric energy sources. This includes changes like installing or decommissioning existing gas infrastructure and/or replacing gas appliances with high-efficiency all-electric appliances in buildings. In the process of creating new policies and implementing an electrification plan, it is important to recognize and address the needs of often overlooked underserved community members.

Alongside an electrification plan, an equity analysis can evaluate demographic data to 6 County of Marin Community Development Agency, Sustainability Division. 2023. Residential and commercial building stock inventory available at
https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/electrify-marin/green-buildingdevelopment/electrification-roadmap/building-inventory-equity-analysis. 81 surface existing inequalities and enable equitable access for households to take steps toward home electrification.

Home electrification and energy efficiency building upgrades may be feasible for higher-income and property-owning residences but may not be feasible for lower income and underserved residences. Areas with a higher number of rentals, lower and fixed income, and/or populations with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments can be considered underserved. These communities tend to see lower rates of building upgrades and higher rates of deferred and necessary maintenance (i.e., dry rot, termite damage).

Data will be collected on these equity-priority communities countywide including, but not limited to, commonly known underserved communities such as Northern Novato, the Canal District, Marin City, and West Marin. Implementing an electrification plan would especially be challenging for these communities because of cost barriers and adequate access to resources.

Key Indicators
This study will analyze Marin’s community, geographic, and demographic data using six indicators across all census tracts:

1. Social Vulnerability (includes a variety of indicators)

2. Household Income (Median)

3. Rent Burden (Multi-Unit Households)

4. Energy Burden

5. Age

6. Disability (includes a variety of indicators)
These indicators will help identify areas across Marin County that may face barriers to electrifying and upgrading to more energy-efficient homes. Analyzing these areas can surface appropriate and equitable electrification and home upgrade strategies. 82 Social Vulnerability
Social vulnerability can be measured the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). By identifying vulnerable areas in Marin using this measure, we can better understand a community’s sensitivity to potential utility rate changes.

Levels of social vulnerability across Marin are delineated by census tract. It is based on 2020 Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) data. On a scale of 0.1 to 1.0, the higher the social vulnerability, the greater the risk of that community being put at a disadvantage if electrification policies and programs are not designed and implemented effectively. The CDC and ASTDR use multiple variables to index or measure social vulnerability:
● Socioeconomic Status
○ Below 150% poverty
○ Unemployed
○ Housing cost burden
○ No high school diploma
○ No health insurance
● Household Characteristics
○ Aged 65 & older
○ Aged 17 and younger
○ Civilian (Person) with a disability
○ Single-parent households
○ English language proficiency
● Racial & Ethnic Minority Status
○ Hispanic or Latino (of any race); Black and African American, not Hispanic or Latino; American Indian and Alaska Native, not Hispanic or Latino; Asian, not Hispanic or Latino; Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 83 not Hispanic or Latino; two or more races, not Hispanic or Latino; other races, not Hispanic or Latino
● Housing Type & Transportation
○ Multi-unit structures
○ Mobile homes
○ Crowding
○ No vehicle
○ Group quarters
In contrast to census tracts with the lowest levels of social vulnerability (areas such as Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Belvedere), tracts with medium-high levels of social vulnerability are concentrated in the following (Figure 1):

1. Canal District in San Rafael (0.96),

2. St. Vincent’s in San Rafael (0.78),

3. Downtown Novato (0.75), and

4. Marin City (0.70)
84 Figure 1. Social vulnerability index by census tract in Marin County. 85 Comparing the SVI map with an income distribution map, we find that lowerincome areas and areas with higher social vulnerability overlap (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

These overlaps include Canal District in San Rafael, Marin City, Downtown Novato, and St. Vincent’s in San Rafael. The social vulnerability map and the low-income map together illustrate where the greatest need is for equity-based strategies.

Figure 2. 2020 median income by census tract in Marin County (Census Bureau, 2020). 86 Income
Low to Moderate income households often have limited access to financial resources and lack qualifying credit to finance building envelope and appliance upgrades. By identifying income constrained communities using census data, we can better understand a community’s economic well-being.

According to the 2020 Census, the Statewide median household income was $78,672, which puts upwards of 33% of households across Marin County below this threshold (Figure 2):

1. West Marin ($62-117k),

2. Novato’s Downtown ($62-117k),

3. Marin City ($62-88.4k),

4. Strawberry ($62-117k),

5. Households around Marin General ($62-88.4k),

6. San Rafael’s Downtown ($62-117k), and

7. San Rafael’s Canal District ($62-88.4k)
Families with a lower median income tend to be clustered together. This is partly a result of historic redlining and restrictive deed covenants. It is also driven by the high cost of housing in many parts of Marin County. This makes the option of choosing to move out of these underserved communities difficult. For context, in California the 2020 median household property value was $538,500 compared to Marin County at $1,050,000.

Finding ways to increase access to incentives and affordable ways to finance building upgrades to these communities in Marin will be critical to accelerating electrification and energy efficiency projects. Policymakers and community-based organizations countywide can develop policies and programs that reduce barriers to accessing resources. Direct and tiered financial resources to reduce upfront costs to 87 electrification among low-income households are commonly used tactics. Non-financial resources such as wrap-around services should be used. This includes:

1. Technical support for installs,

2. Improving access to rebates and incentives so that LMI households can benefit,

3. Considering geographically targeted policies, and

4. Accelerating training programs for a more skilled and diverse contractor and workforce base.

Rent Burden (Multi-unit Properties)
Residents and individuals who live in multi-unit housing can face a variety of challenges in making changes to their buildings. By identifying concentrations of renters using census data, we can better understand a community’s housing security and potential need for housing assistance and subsidies.

In many cases, renters have limited control over building equipment, technology, and where their energy sources come from because of the nature of their lease agreements. Challenges can range from restricted decision-making to financial constraints that often lead to deferred maintenance and discourage appliance and mechanical system upgrades. Additionally, the lack of access to information about the benefits of building energy efficiency and electrification upgrades to both renters and their landlords further exacerbates the issue of deferring basic repairs. Therefore, it is important to reduce the barriers both renters and landlords face when upgrading their buildings.

Landlords can face challenges when upgrading their buildings. Financial concerns, including upfront costs and return on investment, can be deterrents to performing building upgrades. Additionally, landlords may be uncertain about the compatibility of existing infrastructure with electric systems and the potential disruption on operations upgrades 88 can cause during the conversion process. Because renters often pay the electric bill directly, electricity bill savings may not benefit the landlord.

For renters, a major issue to consider is that when landlords undertake improvements, it has the potential to contribute to displacement. This is because there is lack of stronger renter protection in Marin. This can enable landlords to justify raising the rent, temporarily moving tenants out of the property, and/or using substantial remodel loopholes to evict tenants.

The 2020 United States Census Bureau data shows a contrast between owner and renter income levels by census tract in Marin County (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

Approximately one-third of Marin residents are renters. In 2022, nearly 44% of renters have spent over 35% of their income on rent alone rising 3% since 2020 – the early days of the pandemic7. This leaves very little for discretionary expenses, let alone expenses for building upgrades. Furthermore, nearly three of every five renters (57%) in Marin are considered to be extremely low, very low, and low income (15% - 80% AMI). These renters stretch across the following geographic areas:

1. Northern to Central Coastal Marin,

2. Northern Novato,

3. San Rafael-Canal,

4. Strawberry,

5. Marin General, and
7 County of Marin Community Development Agency, Marin Compass. Housing affordability for homeowners and renters. Dashboard accessed online, 7/15/2024. Available at https://data.marincounty.org/stories/s/Housing-Affordability-in-Marin/eixh-kvn2/. 89 6. Marin City
We can encourage and incent landlords to embrace building electrification as a long-term investment that benefits both their tenants and their bottom lines in these geographic areas. In contrast, those that own their homes tend to have higher incomes than those that rent (Figure 3). Hence, renters will face more financial barriers as well as lack decision making authority when it comes to electrifying and upgrading their homes.

Figure 4. 2020 Median owner’s income by
census tract in Marin County.

Figure 3. 2020 Median renter’s income by
census tract in Marin County.
90 Energy Burden
Energy burden is the disproportionate percentage of income spent on energy costs8. The Department of Energy created a Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) mapping tool, allowing policy and program-makers to make data driven decisions based on LMI household energy characteristics. By identifying concentration of energy burdened areas using the LEAD Mapping tool, we can better understand a community’s energy security and potential need for energy efficiency programs and other utility related assistance. Broadly speaking, low-income households tend to experience energy burden more because their income is more sensitive to price changes relative to more affluent households.

The national average energy burden for low-income households is 6% (AMI of 0- 80%)9; three times higher than that for higher-income households, which is estimated at 2%. Most of Marin falls below (1%) the national and state energy burden average, which is at 2%; however, this average mask energy burdens felt within specific communities across Marin. LMI residences (0-60% AMI) in West Marin face a slightly higher energy burden (5%) compared to LMI residences across the rest of Marin County (4%). Because there are relatively few renters in West Marin, much of the burden falls on LMI owners of properties. This likely reflects a vulnerable population that may be asset rich but aging-inplace with fixed incomes. In addition, there is no infrastructure that pipes gas across rural West Marin. Thus, West Marin residences, especially those in the 0 to 60% AMI, face a higher energy burden because of their reliance on the purchase of more expensive bottled gas and fuel oil as the primary source to heat their homes. Ultimately, it will be important to work with community-based organizations and MCE to increase access to 8 Department of Energy. Low-income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) tool and community energy solutions.

Accessible online at https://www.energy.gov/scep/slsc/low-income-community-energy-solutions. 9U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Income limits. Accessible online at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html.
91 subsidized incentives and programs (e.g., solar + energy storage and heat pump water heater rebates, among others) for West Marin residences to lower their energy burden.

Age and Disability
People with disabilities and seniors aging-in-place may face barriers to electrifying their homes. By identifying areas with high concentrations of those disabled and aging-inplace, we can better understand a community’s sensitivity to price changes, are likely in need of exceptions to building requirements, and./or are prime candidates for hands-on, turnkey assistance to access the technical complications of implementing electrification and energy efficiency subsidy programs.

For example, those on a utility medical baseline rate rely on electricity for essential medical equipment such as breathing devices, medication refrigeration, and life support apparatus. Seniors, who may not currently live with a disability, likely live on fixed incomes. This group could also perceive electrification as costly. These practical and Figure 5. Disability overlaid with Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) by census tract in Marin County. 92 financial barriers make it challenging for Marin residences aging-in-place from embracing electrification upgrades.

About 10% of Marin’s population is considered disabled10,11. While this is less than the national average (13%), certain census tracts across Marin exceed the national average. The Social Vulnerability Index was overlayed with disability data to assess where these populations may be concentrated (Figure 5)12. The map shows populations with disabilities concentrated in the following areas:

1. San Margarita Valley,

2. San Rafael’s Downtown,

3. San Rafael’s Canal District,

4. Novato’s Downtown, and

5. Marin City
Overlaying areas with the highest disabled populations and social vulnerability illustrates parts of the community most vulnerable. Efforts could be focused in these areas to increase energy efficiency and electrification upgrade subsidies and assistance to those disabled and/or aging-in-place.
10 U.S. Census Bureau. "Disability Characteristics." American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S1810, 2022,
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S1810?q=disability&g=050XX00US06041. Accessed on July 12, 2024.
11 Broadly speaking, individuals may experience disability if they have difficulty with certain daily tasks due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition. The Census Bureau collects disability data by asking questions about difficulty with daily activities and other functional limitations. For more information on disability and how its measured see US Census Bureaus resource on disability see https://www2.census.gov/about/training-workshops/resources/disability-onepager.pdf 12 2020 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)/Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program (GRASP).,
https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=80010607e93249b2b6d98147805f1f74#overview.

Accessed on July 12, 2024.
93 The Senior Well-Being Map illustrates 65 years and older demographic distribution across various locations within Marin County13. Population with high concentrations of seniors aging-in-place are in the following areas (Figure 6):

1. East to Downtown San Rafael,

2. Novato,

3. Tiburon,

4. Marin City

5. Greenbrae, and

6. San Margarita Valley
The map reveals that while many age-in-place in Marin, they are dispersed across numerous areas within Marin County, rather than being concentrated in specific parts.

Since all populations inevitably age, it is important to emphasize equity-focused electrification strategies for those aging-in-place. This approach will ensure accessibility, fairness, and inclusivity of policies and programs which are often too complicated for aging populations to implement.
13 2020 ACS Context for Senior Well-being - Centroids., https://coronavirusresources.esri.com/maps/f0fab4b2e96a4e65a0207d9724aca38b/about. Accessed on July 12, 2024. 94 Equity Challenges and Solutions
Challenges and solutions to ensure an equitable building electrification roadmap are illustrated below (Table 1). Recommended solutions are based on this study’s findings, best practices used by other local governments, and feedback from engagement with Marin’s community stakeholders14. The following does not reflect a comprehensive list of recommendations, rather, it serves as a starting point for decision-makers to develop the roadmap.
14 Electrification Building Workshop Series, Marin’s Transition to an All-electric Future. 8/2/2023 at https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/electrify-marin/green-buildingdevelopment/electrification-roadmap.

Figure 6. 2020 senior well-being by census tract.
95 Table 1. Barriers and recommended solutions to a more equitable building electrification roadmap.

Theme Barrier Recommended Solutions
Renter
Protection
and
Displacement
Electrification and/or energy
upgrades could give reason for
landlords to pass costs onto their
tenants and may lead to forced
displacement
Landlords can exploit rent law
loopholes to evict tenants during
substantial remodels.

Tenants need to be moved
during active construction.

Alternative, nearby rentals, and
supplemental costs for rent will
need to be negotiated between
tenant and landlord.

Voluntary programs that subsidize
costs to landlords such as direct
install programs, can include tenant
protection assurances (e.g., rent
increase limitations, eviction
protections, information on
tenant/property owner rights and
responsibilities, and temporary
displacement requirements) as part
of the terms and conditions of
accepting financial assistance.

Identify rent law loopholes to close
so that substantial remodels are not
used by property owners as a tool to
evict tenants
Find funding to supplement rent
should renters need to find a nearby
dwelling during construction.

Split
Incentives
and Energy
Upgrades
The building owner (landlord)
pays for the building upgrade
and the tenant (renter) pays the
energy bill. This scenario can
result in renters paying upwards
of 2.7% more on energy bills
than landlords or households
that pay energy bills (Melvin,
2018)
Glean learned lessons from MCEs
multifamily (multi-unit) energy savings
program and/or Marin County
Housing and Federal Grants
Division. Combine efforts with the
Marin County Housing team as they
are currently working on affordable
housing strategies to address rent
protection for multi-unit properties
that undergo electrification.

Subsidized could also be directed at
the landlord to incentivize upgrades.

Community
Engagement
Historically policies have not
included comprehensive
Ensure community members help codevelop the roadmap. Marin can 96 Theme Barrier Recommended Solutions
community partnership and
involvement in policy and
program development.
use Rocky Mountain Institute’s
Equitable Electrification toolkit and
County of Marin’s Office of Equity
Race Equity Action Plan for
frameworks and best practices when
getting community stakeholders
involved in policy and program
development. The focus on groups
that serve historically underserved
geographic areas is important.

Deferred
Maintenance
Some households, in particular
multi-unit low-income tenants
and fixed income homeowners
have not kept up with basic
repairs and maintenance.

Prior to going through an
electrification or energy upgrade,
focusing outreach, programmatic,
technical, and financial support for
basic repairs will be important to
low-income, seniors aging-in-place,
and other vulnerable households that
live on a limited or fixed income.

Energy
Storage and
Back-up
Power
Households that need electricity
to power medical devices,
refrigerate medicine, and more
may need constant access to a
reliable source of energy.

Local government, utilities, and nonprofit organizations can help LMI households access subsidized
incentive and rebate programs
especially for battery back-up power
systems.

Workforce Stakeholder interviews and focus
group workshops revealed a lack
of qualified, knowledgeable
and/or affordable contractors to
install all-electric systems including
water and space heat pumps, EV
chargers, and modern electrical
systems and panels.

There is also a lack of technical
knowledge by the building staff
workforce on new technologies
State and regional authorities have
developed and continue to maintain
qualified contractor lists.

Simultaneously, MCE, local
governments, community-based
organizations, businesses, and the
building and trades community can
leverage State and Federal funding to
grow and create a diverse and skilled
workforce. The funding can be used to
retrain existing and generate a new
97 Theme Barrier Recommended Solutions
such as heat pump water heaters or
smart panels. This creates
uncertainty and delays permit
review timelines.
workforce that simultaneously has
access to high quality and high road
jobs15.

Case Studies
Some jurisdictions outside of Marin County have created plans or roadmaps for building electrification with a focus on equity. Examples are included below as a point of reference when developing Marin County’s Roadmap.

City of Santa Monica: Community Engagement and Equity Principles Santa Monica’s Existing Building Electrification Roadmap outlines policy recommendations to electrify Santa Monica’s existing buildings. The City is working towards a building electrification strategy that is rooted in equity and access. As part of this process, they are working closely with three key organizations to cooperatively develop strategies and goals for building electrification including Santa Monica Black Lives Association (SMBLA), Community Corporation of Santa Monica (CCSM), and Climate Action Santa Monica (CASM). This is to ensure that they carry out a public community engagement process to enable disadvantaged community members to help develop electrification policies and programs.
15 “High road jobs” means high industry labor standards and established access to clear training pathways for building decarbonization jobs, especially for entry-level and disadvantaged workers. See Rising Sun press release on its convening and promotion of equitable job access in the Bay Area. Available for download at https://risingsunopp.org/wp-content/uploads/Rising-Sun-HRTP-Press-Release.pdf 98 The City also established equity and funding principles including, prioritizing access to health and safety benefits provided by electrification, supporting antidisplacement & housing affordability, providing funding and financing, supporting electrification jobs, and simplifying the installation process. They are also working towards maximizing incentives for underserved communities to ensure equitable access to affordable funding mechanisms and work with Federal, State, and Regional program providers to get dollars flowing to underserved communities.

City of Berkeley: Centering Equity and Guardrails
The City of Berkeley has developed an Existing Buildings Electrification Strategy.

Berkeley's electrification plan is guided by an equity approach, with a focus on prioritizing underserved communities most impacted by change. They have developed a set of guard rails to ensure that all residents, particularly underserved communities impacted by climate change, have equitable access to the health, safety, and economic benefits of electrification. These guard rails include access to health and safety benefits, access to economic benefits, maximizing ease of installation, and promoting housing affordability and anti-displacement. The City of Berkeley is also planning to secure funding and financing needed for low-income property owners and renters tied to tenant protections to address split incentive barriers in multi-unit buildings.

Conclusion
Equitable access to building electrification cannot be achieved solely through a singular policy or program. It requires a comprehensive solution of both building code requirements and accompanying subsidized programs and incentives. It also requires a collaborative approach, where policymakers and community members work together to recognize the diverse needs and barriers of underserved communities countywide. Active involvement of Marin County stakeholders is required for a successful equitable building 99 electrification roadmap including, but not limited to community-based organizations, Cities and Towns, businesses, the buildings, development, and trades communities, and utilities working together to increase electrification and energy efficiency upgrades to underserved communities. Using publicly available demographic data, primarily through the U.S. Census Bureau, the following underserved geographic areas should be targeted for expanding any policy, programs, incentives and subsidies developed:

1. Canal District in San Rafael,

2. St. Vincent’s in San Rafael,

3. Downtown in San Rafael

4. Marin City

5. Downtown Novato/Northern Novato

6. West Marin (Northern to Central Coastal),

7. Strawberry, and

8. Households around Marin General
Through a collective effort, Marin County can greatly expand equitable access to building energy efficiency and electrification building upgrade benefits.

Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap

4.2 Appendix B
Examining the Challenges and Solutions to
Marin’s All-electric Transition
101

4.2 Appendix B: Examining the Challenges and Solutions to Marin’s All-electric Transition
The following is based on an evaluation of policies and programs implemented, a literature review, and interviews of government staff across California and the U.S. Challenges and solutions surfaced during community stakeholder workshops were also included.

Aged Buildings
Much like other California communities, the key building type to address for Marin are existing singlefamily residential buildings. According to a study conducted by the County of Marin and for the development of this roadmap, 71% of residential buildings are single-family homes17. (See Appendix A:

Building Stock Inventory and Equity Analysis.) As a result, most building fossil fuel emissions come from this building type. Providing helpful policies, programs, and incentives to owners of single-family residences presents the largest opportunity to reduce GHG emissions countywide.

It will be especially important to upgrade older buildings. Approximately three quarters of all residences were built before 1980 while only 6% were built after 2000. In addition, 60% of commercial buildings were built between 1941 and 1980. It will be prudent to assess whether these buildings need electrical system upgrades to accommodate appliances such as heat pump space or water heaters, EV chargers, solar and/or induction stoves. This may add to project costs, as discussed in the Electrical Panels and Systems section below, so any policy, program or incentive focused on upgrades of older buildings should anticipate these potential extra expenses.

Equity, Renter Displacement and Tenant Protections
Underserved people – especially low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents and seniors aging-in-place – living in single or multi-unit homes are more likely to lack the financial resources and tools to access rebates and incentive programs. Programs and tools such as mailers and in-person promotional campaigns, language and accessible copy, and in-person or phone hot line assistance are common tactics already deployed across Marin. They should continue to be used and expanded upon to increase access. In addition, direct install incentive programs (i.e., installations subsidized and performed by pre-qualified and approved contractors) for LMI renting households need to be retained and expanded upon. This program is the best way to reach renters who do not have the upfront capital to participate in rebate and incentive programs that require a property owner to apply.

However, electrification and energy efficiency upgrades are often not at the top of the list of building rehabs for underserved households. A well-designed policy or program should first perform a needs assessment, then, find new or existing resources to address those immediate needs. Once those needs are met, then electrification and energy efficiency upgrades are more likely to be considered. The challenge with implementing a successful program is procuring sustainable funding, then increasing access to capital for LMI households so they may overcome upfront costs. Fortunately, there are Federal, State, and regional grants that local governments, private businesses, and not-for-profit communitybased organizations in Marin can leverage. Today, many grants require a focus on equitably decarbonizing building. It is critical that funding is prioritized for underserved communities.

Still, single-family homeowners should not be the only recipients of financial and health benefits when decarbonizing buildings. According to the Building Stock Inventory and Equity Analysis, 29% of residential buildings are in multi-unit developments (MUDs) of which a majority (84%) are renters.

Renters make up a significant portion of Marin’s community.

In contrast to homeowners, it is difficult for renters to experience the benefits from upgrading their home because they lack control of building upgrade decisions and there is no motivation for a property 17 County of Marin Sustainability Division. 2024. Building Inventory and Equity Analysis. Available at https://www. marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/electrify-marin/green-building-development/electrification-roadmap/ plan.
102
owner to make improvements. The owner is hard pressed to justify an expense for benefits they don’t directly experience. Consequently, this may result in low uptake of energy efficiency and electrification upgrades especially for those in affordable housing and deed restricted MUDs. For renters, appropriate policies, well designed programs, and accessible resources will be needed to incentivize property owners and renters to consider upgrades. For property owners, a well-designed program that incents and makes building upgrades easier is important to increased participation.

A primary concern for renter communities is the threat of permanent and temporary displacement when building upgrades are performed. Most tenants in Marin County are covered by California’s rent stabilization law (AB1482 or the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), but a loophole in the law that allows tenants to be evicted for substantial remodel work makes tenants vulnerable to displacement due to renovations. Landlords exploit the loophole, often dishonestly, as a means of pushing low-income renters out of their homes and replacing them with higher paying tenants. It is crucial that the state and localities with their own rent stabilization or eviction protection ordinances close this loophole and provide tenants with adequate temporary relocation assistance and the right to return, thereby enabling electrification and energy efficiency upgrades to be made without putting tenants at risk of displacement. It is crucial that the state and localities with their own rent stabilization or eviction protection ordinances close this loophole and provide tenants with adequate temporary relocation assistance and the right to return, thereby enabling electrification and energy efficiency upgrades to be made without putting tenants at risk of displacement. Additionally, policies such as local rent stabilization and banning pass-through costs can protect tenants from incurring large rent increases after energy efficiency and electrification upgrades are made.

Though it is outside the scope of this roadmap to close such loopholes, it must be emphasized that a welldesigned tenant protection policy closes from absorbing the costs of decarbonization upgrades. Immediate
actions can also be taken to establish programs that
incent multi-unit property owners to make upgrades
while protecting tenants from unintended negative
consequences. For example, publicly funded direct installation programs can motivate landlords to decarbonize by providing them with the financial and technical assistance required to make upgrades.

These programs should also include tenant protection assurances (e.g., rent increase limitations, eviction protections, accessible information on tenant/property owner rights and responsibilities, and temporary displacement requirements) as part of the terms and conditions of accepting financial assistance. A program to model is the State California Energy Commission Equitable Decarbonization program18. The program illustrates ways to protect tenants during building rehabilitations. 18 California Energy Commission. 2023. Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program Guidelines, Chapter 4.C. Downloadable at https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2023/equitable-building-decarbonization-directinstall-program-guidelines. “... a well designed tenant protection
policy should close any substantial
remodel loopholes”
103
Electric Grid Modernization and Reliability
California’s aging electric grid has been operating in
much the same way for over 100 years, built to meet
the demands of industrial age technology19. Today,
California’s ambitious climate goals require rapid
modernization of the grid to support the surge of new,
all-electric technologies.

The State and utilities are planning for increased
electrical load. Plans to modernize the grid have been
put forth such as California Independent Systems
Operator (CAISO) releasing a 20-Year Transmission
Outlook report outlining steps to meet clean energy
goals20, or the Clean Energy Transition Plan released
in 202321 by the Governor’s Office. However, the grid
faces many challenges to support aggressive clean
energy and electrification goals. One major challenge
is utilities are not expanding their transmission and
distribution network fast enough to meet the state’s
renewable energy and electrification goals. Simply put, utilities are lagging in upgrading the grid’s infrastructure.

A recent study by Berkeley’s Energy Institute revealed
PG&E needs to speed up distribution upgrades through
workforce expansion or investing more in demand
response and battery storage22. This is possible to
achieve, but the study estimated a range of $1-$10
billion to upgrade; costs that will likely get passed onto rate paying customers. In response, SB 410 (Becker)23
holds utilities accountable to meeting target timelines to connect and upgrade all customers to the grid and
control costs of grid expansions.

The State and large utilities appear to be addressing
grid scale challenges. Still, local governments in Marin and regional utilities such as MCE can do their part by investing in policies and programs to better steward
electric demand and increase the health of the grid.

Tactics such as energy planning, demand management,
and electrical system optimization for residential and
commercial buildings are currently being deployed.
19 California Public Utilities Commission. Factsheet: California Leads the Nation in Modernizing its Electric Grid.

Downloadable at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/files/legacyfiles/s/3343-sgfactsheet0710.pdf. 20 California ISO. 2022. 20-Year transmission outlook. Downloadable at https://www.caiso.com/ InitiativeDocuments/Draft20-YearTransmissionOutlook.pdf. 21 Office of the Governor California. 2023. Building the electricity grid of the future: California’s Clean Energy Transition Plan. Downloadable at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CAEnergyTransitionPlan.pdf. 22 Energy Institute at Haas. 2023. Can Distribution Grid Infrastructure Accommodate Residential Electrification and Electric Vehicle Adoption in Northern California? Downloadable at https://haas.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/ WP327.pdf. 23 Senate Bill SB 410 (Becker, 2023). Powering up Californians Act. Downloadable at https://leginfo.legislature. ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB410.

Be a Good Steward:

Optimize Your Panel
Most Marin homes may not need
upsizing of its electric service panel.

In fact, most rebate programs encourage
upsizing over more efficient devices. This
paradigm needs to change to save energy
and support a healthy electric grid.

First consider optimization and planning
before performing costly and timeconsuming panel or service upgrades. This usually entails two approaches:

1. Choose less power-hungry appliances
that fit within a panel’s existing
capacity.

2. Use energy management devices
that share, redirect, and/or shut off
circuits when current power draw
exceeds a set limit.

As a rule of thumb, modern homes with
200-amp panels can meet today’s electrical
demands. Older homes with at least 100-
amp panels can be optimized while those
less than 100-amps may need to upsize.

If upsizing is necessary, planning for an
efficient home saves money.

For more information on circuit sharing devices
on the open market see this technology review
by CalNEXT.
104
Optimizing Electric Service Panels and Systems
As discussed previously, approximately three quarters of all homes were built before 1980 while only 6% were built after 2000. In other words, Marin has old building stock. Older homes tend to have outdated electrical service panels (also known as a “breaker box”). They are typically undersized for the power demands of modern homes and appliances. As a result, extra work may be needed to increase a home’s electrical capacity or “panel upsize.” As a result, upsizing can add to construction costs ($3,000- to $25,000) and extend installation wait times for a homeowner looking to electrify24.

Consequently, this can discourage much needed building upgrades.

However, most homes do not use all their panel’s capacity. Consider the following studies on space and water heating heat pumps installed in single-family homes statewide:

1. California home projects participating in the TECH Clean California incentives program from 2021 to 2023 found that only 4% needed to upsize their panel.

2. For Marin, homes participating in the TECH program, only 12% upsized their panel25.

3. In Marin, of the projects receiving local Electrify Marin program rebates from 2019-2024, only 19% needed a panel upsize when swapping their gas appliance for an electric appliance26.

Hence, most building upgrades in California homes do not require panel upsizing. If upsizing is considered, it is worthwhile to first research and work with a contractor on “panel optimization.” That is, choosing power-efficient devices that can fit a building’s existing electrical needs. This can result in $3,000 to $25,000 of cost savings on a home upgrade project.

Policy and Market Trends
All-electric appliances (e.g., induction stoves, heat pumps) are not new technology. In contrast to California, other countries and the American South have historically used electric appliances because gas piping and infrastructure is either limited or does not exist. In Marin, the more rural westside of Marin does not have access to gas infrastructure and relies either on expensive propane or older electric resistance appliances to power their buildings.

Recent global policy support and incentives for electric appliances such as heat pumps have accelerated. As a result, global heat pumps have seen a double-digit growth in 2022 sales27. In the U.S., 2022 heat pump sales outpaced gas furnace sales. EV infrastructure will require an even larger infrastructure upgrade to meet electric demand. Across the U.S. South, heat pumps are commonplace.

In 2020, 41% of South Carolina residences used central heat pumps as their primary heat source28. At 77%, Florida has the highest percentage of all-electric homes in the U.S. In 2023, the San Francisco Bay Area leads the U.S in purchases of passenger car EVs, of which Marin is amongst the leader of new purchases29.
24 Redwood Energy & NV5, Service Upgrades for Electrification Retrofits. 2022. Downloadable at https:// techcleanca.com/resources. 25 TECH Clean California TECH Working Data Set. Downloadable at https://techcleanca.com/public-data/ download-data/. Data downloaded and analysis performed 3/14/2024. 26 Electrify Marin – Natural Gas Appliance Replacement Program. Data analysis not published but available upon request at https://www.marincounty.org/electrify.
27 International Energy Administration. Heat Pumps predicted to double in sales globally by 2030 and exceeded 2022 gas Furnace Purchases in the United States. Available at https://www.iea.org/commentaries/global-heat-pump-salescontinue-double-digit-growth. 28 U.S. Energy Information Administration. 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS). Available at https:// www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2020/index.php?view=state. 29 California Energy Commission. New ZEV sales in California. 2023 sales dashboard. Available at https://www. energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/zero-emission-vehicle-and-infrastructure-statistics/new-zev-sales. 105
In the West, especially in California, aggressive climate ambitions have focused building and zoning policies on all-electric buildings and communities. Yet, California still has one of the lowest rates of home electrification in the U.S., especially for space and water heaters, and the highest use of fossil fuels in the home. Hence, single-family, and multi-unit homes will require rapid scale-up of existing and innovative policies (i.e., sticks) and incentive programs (i.e., carrots) that meet climate action obligations and improve community health and safety.

Workforce Development and High Road Jobs
A common refrain by homeowners and surfaced
during the electrification stakeholder workshop
series, is the lack of qualified, knowledgeable and/
or affordable contractors to install all-electric systems such as water and space heat pumps, EV chargers
and modern electrical panels. In addition, some contractors are not aware of available incentives and rebates to bring down upfront costs of building upgrades. Unfortunately, not as many property owners are capitalizing on cost savings and/or contractors are not promoting the install of subsidized electric systems and appliances. Consequently, more gas appliances are installed today than are needed. Gas assets installed today will become polluting sources for at least the next decade. They will immediately become stranded, unusable assets as regulatory agencies continue to increase electrification mandates and electric appliances become more efficient and popular.

Moving away from non-gas combusting appliances will require a workforce ready to meet demand.

The following policy trends are driving market transformation:

1. For existing buildings and appliance swaps, regional and State air regulators have mandated building electrification upgrades. From 2027 to 2031, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) will begin phasing out space and water heating gas appliances from being sold or installed in homes and commercial spaces30.

2. Recent State green building codes have required newly constructed homes to either install space or water heat pumps31. State codes are expected to require more electric and energy efficient appliances as well as EV charging infrastructure as these codes update every three years.

3. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will begin banning gas space and water heaters from being sold statewide starting in 2030.

To meet the anticipated need for experienced contractors, the State (i.e., Switch Is On32) and private 3rd party concierge companies serving the SF-Bay Area have developed a qualified contractor’s list that consumers can easily access and shop online. Still, communities across Marin express the following pain points with the contractor base countywide:

1. A knowledge gap especially when installing heat pump technology, optimizing electric panels, and properly leveraging incentives and rebates,

2. Lack of willingness to recommend installation of all-electric appliances over gas appliances,

3. Lack of services to energy burdened rural communities such as West Marin,

4. High bid prices quoted for installing all-electric appliances. 30 Bay Area Air Quality Management District. 2023. Regulation 9 Rule 6: Nitrogen Oxides Emissions from Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters. Available at https://www.baaqmd.gov/rules-and-compliance/rules/reg-9-rule-6-nitrogen-oxidesemissions-from-natural-gasfired-water-heaters. 31 California Energy Commission. 2022. 2022 Building energy efficiency standards summary. Downloadable at https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-08/CEC_2022_EnergyCodeUpdateSummary_ADA.pdf. 32 California Statewide qualified contractor list available at https://switchison.org/. “Gas appliances today installed will
become polluting sources for at least the
next decade and stranded, unusable
assets...”
106
Contractors are not the only pain point. Local building enforcement staff can delay projects. Staff may lack the technical knowledge when permitting rapidly evolving technologies such as heat pump water heaters or smart panels. Consequently, this knowledge gap can delay permit issuance timelines.

According to a heat pump water heater permit streamlining and installation study by TECH Clean California33, the statewide average for permitting heat pumps was 5.9 days. Ideally, energy and electrification appliances and systems should be
permitted or expedited within one day. Increased
applications, compliance, and installation of this
technology can be the impact of a streamlined process.

There is also a need to further develop and accelerate
the growth of a diverse and skilled contractor
workforce. MCE, local governments, communitybased organizations, and the building and trades community can access State and Federal funding to
retrain an existing workforce and build a new one to meet rapidly growing demand to electrify and decarbonize. To grow a skilled workforce, we need to invest in training and good high road34 jobs for both employees and contractors. High road jobs ensure workers also share in the benefits and career development opportunities as communities rapidly electrify and decarbonize buildings. 33 TECH Clean California. 2024. Streamlining permitting and installation of heat pump water heaters. Available at https://techcleanca.com/pilots/permitting-pilot/. 34 “High road jobs” means high industry labor standards and established access to clear training pathways for building decarbonization jobs, especially for entry-level and disadvantaged workers. See Rising Sun press release on its convening and promotion of equitable job access in the Bay Area. Available for download at https://risingsunopp.org/wpcontent/uploads/Rising-Sun-HRTP-Press-Release.pdf. “‘High road jobs’ means high industry
labor standards and established access
to clear training pathways for building
decarbonization jobs, especially for
entry-level and disadvantaged workers.”
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap

4.3 Appendix C
Community Engagement Findings and Results
108

4.3 Appendix C: Community Engagement Findings and Results Community Stakeholders
Over 40 types of stakeholders, of which an estimated 150 people participated in a variety of ways to contribute to the roadmap’s content (Table C-1). Engagement included active participation by stakeholders.

1. The County, BayREN, and PG&E helped fund the project.

2. MCEP helped provide volunteer County, City, Town, and public agency staff to steer the entire development process and document creation.

3. Community-based organizations and advocacy groups, the building community, and businesses participated in workshops, providing feedback on documents published, surveys distributed, and invited staff to give ad-hoc presentations to their members.

Other stakeholders were less active such as those opting to stay updated and informed on progress by local government staff or other organizations, subscribing to newsletter or listserv updates, or periodically checking in on progress updates publicly published on the 2023/2024 Marin Countywide Electrification Roadmap webpage35.

Table C-1. Community stakeholders that participated in the development of the electrification roadmap.

Stakeholder Group Stakeholder
Elected Officials • County of Marin Board of Supervisors • City/Town Council Members
City, Town, County Staff • Building and Planning Directors • City/Town Managers
• Chief Building Officials
• Planning and Sustainability Staff
Regional and Public Agencies • Marin Climate & Energy Partnership (includes Gov’t + Regional and Public Agencies)
• Marin Clean Energy (MCE)
• Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM)
• PG&E
• BayREN
35 County of Marin Community Development Agency Sustainability Division. 2023-2024. Marin Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap landing webpage. Available at https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/ electrify-marin/green-building-development/electrification-roadmap. 109
Stakeholder Group Stakeholder
Advocacy and Community
Based Organizations
• Canal Alliance
• North Marin Community Services
• Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
• San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
• MarinCAN
• Sustainable San Rafael
• Sustainable Mill Valley
• Marin Conservation League
• Marin/Sonoma Electrification Squad
• Good Green Work
• Marin Center for Independent Living
• Marin Asian Advocacy Project
• Multicultural Center of Marin
• Sausalito Sustainability Commission
• Corte Madera Climate Action Committee
• Fairfax Climate Action Committee
• San Anselmo Climate Action Commission
• Novato Sustainability Commission
• Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative
Building Community and
Businesses (Developers,
Contractors, Practitioners)
• Marin Builders Association
• MARIN REALTORS
• EAH Housing
• Hope Housing of Marin
• Eden Housing
• Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) - West Marin
• Seagull Prime Real Estate Fund
• Rising Design & Construction
• GreenLynx
• Samina Saude Design & Consulting
• Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
• Ready-Set-Replace
Youth and Student • Marin Academy, Climate and Justice Class • Dominican University, Business Sustainability Class
Public Survey Process and Results
A digital survey (English and Spanish) of the ten actions, as co-developed with workshop participants, was widely distributed publicly from February 16, 2024, to March 5, 2024.

Workshop participants and the organizations they represent, government communications staff and elected officials across 12 jurisdictions, and public regional agencies (e.g., Marin Health and Human Services, MCE, and TAM) were asked to help distribute the survey via their respective newsletter, social media, and other digital communication channels. As a result, 385 people responded to the survey which asked for their impression of the ten proposed actions and how they would prioritize implementation. Survey results were published online. The survey found most respondents were in favor of implementing the following top 3 actions:

1. A countywide “Central Hub” or one-stop shop for all things electrification and energy savings.

2. Connecting residents to existing low-cost financing programs that especially benefits low-to 110
moderate income households.

3. Programs that reduce permit costs and expedite permit timelines for gas to electric conversions.

For survey results and details on the remaining actions see below or visit The Building Electrification Roadmap Survey published online36.
36 County of Marin Community Development Agency Sustainability Division. 2023. Building Electrification Roadmap Survey: Actions to Electrify Our Buildings and Vehicles. Results available for download at https://www.marincounty.org/ depts/cd/divisions/sustainability/electrify-marin/green-building-development/electrification-roadmap/plan. 111
112
113
Marin County’s Building Electrification Roadmap

4.4 Appendix D
Key Actions Worksheet -- Descriptions, Details,
Equity Considerations, and Implementing
Partners
115
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
I-1
Develop, adopt and implement
building reach codes for New
Construction that are all-electric,
energy efficient, cost-effective, increase
electric vehicle charging infrastructure
and creates code consistency across
all Marin jurisdictions.
● Ensure codes do not preempt federal
standards and are justified through
the State’s cost effectiveness studies.
● Create code uniformity by continuing
to support all 12 Marin Jurisdictions to
align with 2022 Marin Model Reach
Codes already developed in
collaboration with the community
● Apply to all building types (residential
and commercial)
● Prepares building stock to get ahead
of California’s ever more stringent
Green Building and Energy Codes
● Support advocacy and California Air
Resources Board’s effort that
encourages a Statewide zeroemissions standard for residential new construction within the State
building code standards aka
CALGreen.
● Ensure local code allows for use of
low GWP refrigerants (e.g., CO2,
propane, and other nature-based)
● Exemptions and hardship
and feasibility waivers for
○ Low-income households
○ Households with special
medical and
accessibility needs
● Ensure development of
Low-income multi-unit
housing is not inhibited.
● Encourage use of programs
that subsidizes building allelectric for affordable
housing developments
○ For example, California
Electric Homes
Program implemented
by California Energy
Commission and TRC

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. Communitybased
Organizations
116
I-2
Develop, adopt and implement
building reach codes for Existing
Single-Family and Multi-unit
Renovations that implement electric
appliance measures, are energy
efficient, cost-effective increase access
to electric vehicle charging
infrastructure and creates code
consistency across all Marin
jurisdictions.
● Create code uniformity by continuing
to support all 12 Marin Jurisdictions to
align with 2022 Marin Model Reach
Codes already developed
collaboration with the community
● Prepares building stock to get ahead
of California’s ever more stringent
Green Building and Energy Codes
● Apply to all Single-family residential of
a certain size or permit valuation
● Apply to Multi-unit Developments
(MUDs) as long as it complements
housing production
● Require Electric Readiness
requirements especially for buildings
built before 1980
● Provide resources on electrical panel
optimization vs upsizing
● Ensure local code allows for use of
low GWP refrigerants (e.g., CO2,
propane, and other nature-based)
● Exemptions and hardship
and feasibility waivers for
○ Low-income households
○ Households with special
medical and
accessibility needs
● Encourage use of housing
programs that disincentivize
property owners from
displacing multi-unit renters
during renovations or
rehabilitation
○ For example, Multifamily
Energy Savings
Assistance (ESA)
program implemented
by investor-owned
utilities (IOUs)
● Consider anti-displacement
policies (e.g. reference
SAJE or Build-it Green)

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Communitybased
Organizations

4. PG&E

5. Market-rate and
Affordable
Housing
Developers

6. Marin Clean
Energy (MCE)
117
I-3
Develop a countywide, web-based
“central hub” for community energy
and electrification resources that
provides on and offline information to
residences and businesses pursuing
building upgrade project(s).
● Create a countywide webpage or
“central hub” that connects
residences and business to building
energy, electrification, and EV
resources and services
○ Collaborate with and tie-in
existing programs and service
providers
○ Consolidation and links to existing
incentives, programs, building
code requirements and service
providers, available to all 12 Marin
jurisdictions
○ All 12 Marin jurisdictions and
community-based organizations
should coordinate to route all
building energy, electrification,
and EV projects through this
webpage
○ Include collateral such as steps to
electrification and EV
infrastructure for residences and
businesses and links to local,
regional, state and federal
resources
● This action intent is to provide webaccessible “Low Touch” services especially those who don’t mind to
DIY and are able to navigate
platforms that can be used from the
convenience of your home such as
○ Incentive and rebate information
and applications and qualified
contractor list (e.g., Electrify
Marin, BayREN, SwitchIsOn,
Rewiring America),
○ Virtual home energy assessment
tools (e.g., HomeIntel)
○ Online energy planning tools (e.g.

Rewiring America, SwitchIsOn)
● Coordinate more regionally such as
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit lowmoderate income (LMI) and
hard-to-reach households,
renters and energy
burdened communities such
as in rural West Marin,
North Marin, Downtown San
Rafael and the Canal,
Strawberry, and Marin City
● Support regional workforce
development programs or
initiatives such as LIME
Foundation’s NextGEN
Trades Academy that
focuses on developing a
more diverse and inclusive
trades and contractor
workforce
● Increase awareness of and
access to programs,
rebates and incentives that
first address deferred
maintenance (e.g., termite
damage and rot)
● Address Split-Incentives –
Structure multi-unit
programs that incentivize
and make it easy for both
renters and property owners
to implement energy
efficiency and electrification
systems and appliances

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. Community
Based
Organizations

3. MCE

4. BayREN

5. PG&E

6. Platform and
Service
Providers/Vendo
rs

7. Transportation
Authority of
Marin
118
across MCE territory and/or across
nine-county bay area via BayREN
● A hard copy and in-person promotion
and outreach campaign should follow
the launch of the central hub website
119
I-4
As part of the “central hub”,
investigate the feasibility and
procure resources to launch a
turnkey countywide concierge
and/or technical assist service for
residences and businesses.
● Follow-up to Action #I-3 above
● Build upon the countywide “central
hub” webpage by integrating a high
touch building energy and
electrification service
● Evaluate feasibility and impact of San
Anselmo’s and Fairfax’s Ready-SetReplace pilot campaign: an existing high touch concierge and/or technical
assist service for single and/or multiunit homeowners as provided by Carbon Free Homes
○ Determine whether funding is
available or worthwhile to continue
development and implementation
○ Note grants and/or a competitive
bidding process will be necessary
if financed by government
● “High touch” services include those
who need technical assistance, full
project and concierge turnkey
installation services, and/or in-person
help
○ Concierge services are for
homeowners through third-party
private companies such as
QuitCarbon and Carbon Free
Homes’ Ready-Set-Replace
○ Technical assistance for
architects, builders, developers,
design engineers, contractors,
and/or energy consultants can be
made available
○ Technical assists programs for
multi-units (e.g., BAMBE program,
MCE Energy Savings program,
PG&E Energy Savings Assistance
program, PG&E SPOC program
for multi-family and single-family
owners and managers)
○ Virtual and/or In-person Home
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit lowmoderate income (LMI) and
hard-to-reach households,
renters and energy
burdened communities such
as in rural West Marin,
North Marin, Downtown San
Rafael and the Canal,
Strawberry, and Marin City
● Support regional workforce
development programs or
initiatives such as Lime
Foundation's NextGEN
Trades Academy that
focuses on developing a
more diverse and inclusive
trades and contractor
workforce
● Increase awareness of and
access to programs,
rebates and incentives that
first address deferred
maintenance (e.g., termite
damage and rot)
● Address Split-Incentives –
Structure multi-unit
programs that incentivize
and make it easy for both
renters and property owners
to implement energy
efficiency and electrification
systems and appliances

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. Community
Based
Organizations

3. MCE

4. PG&E

5. BayREN

6. Third-Party
Service
Providers/Vendo
rs

7. Transportation
Authority of
Marin
120
Energy Assessment (e.g., Home
Energy Score)
○ All-in-one, customizable platforms
(e.g, Petaluma/Sacramento via
XeroHome, Sonoma Clean Power
via YellowTin)
■ Platform should have the
ability to quickly:
● Analyze and give energy,
GHGs and costs of
installing efficiency and
electrification measures
per house within several
minutes
● Summarize and connect
user to Federal, State,
utility, regional, and/or
local rebates and
incentives available
● View and connect with a
list of qualified contractors
● Links to all 12 Marin local
building code
requirements and
checklists
● Track community-scale
impact via energy
modeling or energy bill
analysis
● Try to coordinate more regionally
such as across MCE territory or
across nine-county bay area via
BayREN
● More funding and staffing resources
are needed to provide digital and inperson promotion and outreach campaigns, which may include:
○ Promoting and soliciting through
social media and websites as well
as in newsletters and/or utility-bill
inserts
121
○ Working through County Health
and Human Services to engage
and promote access to hard-toreach communities through their Community Response Teams
○ Segmenting outreach campaigns
to target audiences
○ Attending, tabling and participating
in community-based organization
and industry community events
countywide
○ Incorporating and keeping
up-to-date information such as on
regulations, rebates and
incentives, programs, contractor
lists and other services
○ Evaluate the feasibility of standing
up a brick-and-mortar location for
in-person resources and education
122
I-5
Expand upon existing promotion
and outreach efforts that increases
access to local, regional, state and
federal energy and electrification
programs and incentives.
● Finding feasible ways to mass
promote and expand outreach
campaigns.
● Partner with, fund and communicate
programs and campaigns through
local community based organizations
that have already built capacity, trust
and strong community networks.
● Streamline and consolidate existing
information while increasing access
to the complex and rapidly evolving
federal (IRA), State (TECH,
SwitchIsOn) utility (PG&E, MCE),
regional (BayREN, BAAQMD), and
local (Electrify Marin) rebates and
incentives available.
● Increase disability, health and ESL
(language) services and inclusion
during community engagements and
creation of promotional collateral.
● Use existing local government
touchpoints with the community to
provide information and education
(e.g., time of renovation, planning or
building permit counter, community
events or campaigns, etc.).
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit lowmoderate income (LMI)
households, renters and
energy burdened
communities such as in
rural West Marin, North
Marin, Canal, and Marin
City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households and
renters especially in
underserved communities
● Increase awareness of and
access to programs and
incentives that first address
deferred maintenance
● Address Split-Incentives:

Structure multi-unit
programs that incent both
renters and property owners
to implement energy
efficiency and electrification
measures

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Community
Based
Organizations

4. MCE

5. Transportation
Authority of
Marin (TAM)
123
I-6
Expand stakeholder engagement to
community-based organizations that
represent underserved communities
to build a more equitable electrification
transition.
● Engagement doesn’t end once the
countywide roadmap is finalized.
● Provide periodic and ad-hoc updates
of roadmap to electrification
workshop participants and
community-based organizations
● Work through County Health and
Human Services to engage and
promote access to hard-to-reach
communities through their
Community Response Teams
● Community-based organizations
serving North Marin, Canal, Marin
City and parts of West Marin should
be empowered to set their own vision,
priorities and implementable actions
● Support community led
planning especially by
organizations such as Marin
Climate Justice
Collaborative (Canal
Alliance and Marin City
CRHJ).

1. Community
Based
Organizations

2. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

3. Transportation
Authority of
Marin
I-7
Evaluate fee structures and
feasibility of permit programs that
incent gas to electric conversions by
reducing permit costs and
expediting permit timelines for
renovations and appliance upgrades.
● Identify and implement pilots - when
feasible - that can be tested
immediately such as, but not limited
to:
○ Permit holidays or discounts
○ Same day permitting
● Evaluate jurisdiction fee structure
and feasibility to subsidize such a
program
● Continue and increase training of
examiners and inspectors on how to
permit and identify new heat pump,
electric appliances and systems via
BayREN trainings and support
through other forums
● Simplify permitting such as pairing
plumbing and electrical permits to
make the process faster and cheaper
● Lays the groundwork to appropriately
implement a Time of Sale or Time of
Listing policy, if considered
● Offset the impact of the
potential high cost of
permitting for electrification
○ Restructure and
combine mechanicalelectrical-plumbing fees
○ Increase permit fees for
natural gas installations
compared to electric

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. BayREN
124
I-8
Lay the groundwork to accelerate
adoption of electric ready systems
for existing buildings by adopting
appropriate codes and standards and
accompanied with rebates and
incentives.
● Critical to work on in advance of the
BAAQMD NOx rules that start in 2027
● Restructure Electrify Marin’s panel
upgrade incentives to prefer panel
optimization and low amp appliances
first, over panel upsizing
● Focus electrical contractor trainings
and socialization on alternatives to
panel upsizing and panel optimization
● Focus electrical systems trainings on
building/code officials
○ Clarify State standards and apply
appropriate standards locally
○ Work with officials to provide clear
code guidance when approving
installs of circuit sharing devices
such as Automatic Load
Management Systems (ALMS) or
Intelligent Power Management
Technologies (IPMT) such as
smart panels, breakers, relays,
splitters, or control units
● Target outreach and incentives
campaigns to known older residential
and commercial buildings built before
1980
● Evaluate, develop, and adopt a
countywide 2025 model reach
building code which includes:
○ More aggressive electric
readiness requirements
Encourages optimizing capacity
over upsizing
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit lowmoderate income (LMI) and
hard-to-reach households,
renters and energy
burdened communities such
as in rural West Marin,
North Marin, Canal, and
Marin City.

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Elected
s and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Marin Builders
Association

4. Other contractor
associations
forums across
Marin
125
I-9
Continue to implement Marin
Countywide EV Acceleration
Strategy launched February 2023.
● Take key actions as outlined in the
acceleration plan
● Partner with communitybased organizations to
increase access and
identify charging
infrastructure needs.
● Use building codes to
require charging capability
for all tenants with parking
spaces in multi-unit
buildings that are affordable
and has cost parity with
those charging in singlefamily homes.

1. Marin Climate &
Energy
Partnership
(MCEP)

2. Transportation
Authority of
Marin

3. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff
126
I-10 Encourage and coordinate with
PG&E to improve infrastructure
planning and speed up grid
interconnection timelines, especially
for electric load capacity planning,
resiliency, faster grid interconnection
and neighborhood-scale electrification
planning projects.
● Encourage with PG&E to meet SB
410 (Becker), “Powering Up
Californians Act” which holds utilities
accountable to meeting prompt grid
interconnection and energization
timelines.
● Proactively coordinate w/PG&E on
owner/developer planning and
communication that helps with
PG&Es service and distribution
planning, increases reliability, and
reduces energization timelines for
new housing.
● Explore funding to collect and
analyze PG&E energy data that will
help measure existing and project
future countywide electrical capacity
needs at the neighborhood scale
○ Simultaneously collect and
analyze natural gas infrastructure
to identify ideal locations for
neighborhood-scale electrification
and gas infrastructure
decommissioning.
○ See action #I-14 for more details
on neighborhood-scale
electrification
● Segment underserved
populations across Marin
when collecting data so we
can understand where the
best opportunities exist to
implement and target pilots
or campaigns.

1. PG&E

2. New Multi-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

3. Commercial
developers

4. Local
Government:

Councils/Elected
s and Staff

5. MCEP
127
I-11 Support growth, accelerate and
improve the quality of a diverse and
skilled building energy and
electrification workforce by
expanding upon existing and
considering new programs and
initiatives that train and develop
qualified contractors, realtors,
developers and lenders to meet
increased demand.
● Through SwitchIsOn by TECH,
continue to increase the existing list
of qualified contractors that serves
the region and direct customers to
those lists
● Through BayREN continue to provide
free trainings, continuing education
credit, worksite training, and
networking opportunities on energy
efficiency, all-electric technology,
green financing products, and
business development for building,
contracting and trades professionals,
realtors, lenders, and local building
and safety staff (e.g., Green Labeling
Program, in-person and virtual
training and networking programs)
● Attract residential decarbonization
professionals and increase high
quality jobs by supporting the High
Road Training Partnership (HRTP)
and consider adopting the
recommended labor standards that
come out of the partnership
● Support and expand
regional workforce
development programs
such as Lime Foundation’s
NextGEN Trades Academy
that focuses on skills and
professional development
for a more diverse and
inclusive trades and
contractor workforce
● Adopt regional workforce
development initiatives such
as Rising Sun’s Bay Area
Residential Decarbonization
High Road Training
Partnership that increases
job quality and equitable
access for all workers in the
residential decarbonization
market
● Increase access to inperson or virtual training
and networking
opportunities to the trades
workforce such as
BayRENs ongoing regional
training programs.

1. Community
Based
Organizations

2. MCEP

3. BayREN

4. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

5. Local
businesses

6. Trades
associations

7. BAAQMD

8. MCE

9. TECH Clean
California
128
I-12 Evaluate feasibility, staff capacity and
map out steps to implement a Time
of Listing Energy Assessment policy
for residential and/or commercial
buildings.
● Engage with realtors and communitybased organizations to evaluate a voluntary or required energy audit
disclosure policy
○ Compliance check and
resolutions
○ Home Energy Score/audit
○ Flexible energy and electrification
compliance scoring
● First, conduct a feasibility study
and/or survey.
○ The policy should minimize
excess costs and timelines
disproportionate to the overall cost
and closing of the real estate
transaction.
○ Evaluate the staff capacity of
enforcing departments or
agencies.
○ Evaluate market conditions, taxes
to collect such as a refundable
transfer tax, and lead times to
implement projects
● Learn from and adapt certain
elements of other local governments
such as City of Berkeley’s Time of
Listing ordinance and City of Davis
compliance checks.
● Discuss acquisition of data with data
aggregators such as Redfin, Zillow,
MLS, CoStar, County Tax Assessor’s
● Continue to participate and
support trainings and
regional workforce
development initiatives that
builds regional contractor
base.
● Support and encourage the
use of local, legacy,
minority/Woman-owned
and/or BIPOC businesses
to conduct Energy
Assessments for
homeowners.

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Marin

REALTORS

4. Communitybased
organizations

5. MCEP
129
I-13 Evaluate existing and increase
access of low-cost financing
programs that serve Marin singlefamily and multi-unit residences. ● Assess and promote existing loan
programs for single-family and multiunit residences such as, but not limited to the State’s Go Green
Financing program and Energy
Efficient Mortgages/Green Mortgages
such as Fannie Mae Green Financing
Loans for single- and multi-unit
residences)
● Continue to expand training and
education of banks/lenders and Marin
REALTORS through BayREN’s
Green Labeling Program
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit LMI
households and landlords
serving low-income tenants.
● Green financing programs
can benefit LMI and creditconstrained customers who
otherwise may not qualify
for traditional home equity
loans for upgrades.
● Ensure financing is
available to households
who have poor credit or
can’t afford taking on debt

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff

2. BayREN

3. PG&E

4. MCE

5. Local Banks and
Lenders

6. Marin

REALTORS

7. Community
Based
Organizations
I-14 Evaluate feasibility and funding
resources, then, identify a location
to pilot a neighborhood-scale
electrification demonstration project
anywhere within the 12 jurisdictions
across Marin County.
● Leverage existing and/or collect new
electricity and gas data to analyze
ideal candidates.
● Coordinate with PG&E and learned
lessons from other Bay Area
jurisdictions to identify criteria to
select an ideal location in Marin
County for gas infrastructure
decommissioning.
● Find funding to implement a
neighborhood-scale electrification
pilot project that include both gas
infrastructure decommissioning
planning and replacement of end-use
appliances
● Consider piloting
underserved neighborhoods
such as LMI, hard-to-reach
households, renters and
energy burdened
communities or
developments such as in
rural West Marin, North
Marin, Canal, and Marin
City
● Need to ensure funding is
available for deferred
maintenance in addition to
energy and electrification
upgrades

1. PG&E

2. Community
members/neigh
borhoods

3. Existing Singleor Multi-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

4. Communitybased
Organizations

5. Local
Government:

Councils/Electe
ds and Staff
130
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-1 Investigate the feasibility and
procure resources to launch a
turnkey countywide concierge
and/or technical assist service
for residences and businesses
while continuing to implement and
update the countywide “central hub”
as necessary.
●Follow-up to Action #I-3 and I-4
●Assess and find funding resources
to launch a concierge and
technical assist service, then
continue implementing the service
for homeowners and/or
businesses and updating as
needed
●Procure more funding and staffing
resources as needed to provide
wrap-around support and
outreach efforts
●If feasible, consider standing up a
brick-and-mortar location for inperson resources and education ● Continue growing qualified
contractor list
● Targeted campaigns
and efforts to benefit
low-moderate income
(LMI) households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
such as in rural West
Marin, North Marin,
Canal, and Marin City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households
and renters especially
in underserved
communities
● Increase awareness of
and access to
programs and
incentives that first
address deferred
maintenance
● Address SplitIncentives: Structure
multi-unit programs that
incent both renters and
property owners to
implement energy
efficiency and
electrification measures

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. New and Existing
Multi-unit and
Commercial
Developers

3. Communitybased
organizations

4. MCE

5. BayREN

6. Transportation
Authority of Marin
131
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-2 Develop and launch a turnkey
technical assistance service for
residences and businesses while
maintaining and integrating the
web-based "central hub".
● Follow-up to Action #N-1
● If funding was procured and
vendor chosen for concierge and
technical assist service, then
continue implementing the
service for homeowners and/or
businesses and updating as
needed
● Procure more funding and
staffing resources as needed to
provide additional wrap-around
support and outreach efforts
● If feasible, consider standing up a
brick-and-mortar location for inperson resources and education ● Continue growing qualified
contractor list
● Targeted campaigns
and efforts to benefit
low-moderate income
(LMI) households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
such as in rural West
Marin, North Marin,
Canal, and Marin City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households
and renters especially
in underserved
communities
● Increase awareness of
and access to
programs and
incentives that first
address deferred
maintenance
● Address SplitIncentives: Structure

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. New and Existing
Multi-unit and
Commercial
Developers

3. Community-based
organizations

4. MCE

5. BayREN

6. Transportation
Authority of Marin
132
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
multi-unit programs that
incent both renters and
property owners to
implement energy
efficiency and
electrification measures
N-3 Continue to update promotion
and outreach efforts and
campaigns as needed
● Continuation of Action #I-5
● Continue finding ways to mass
market, expand outreach, and
streamline and consolidate
existing and new programs and
incentives as they arise
● Continue partnering with and
supporting programs through local
community based organizations
● Continue to use existing local
government touchpoints with the
community to provide timely
information and relevant
education
● Targeted campaigns
and efforts to benefit
low-moderate income
(LMI) households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
such as in rural West
Marin, North Marin,
Canal, and Marin City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households
and renters especially
in underserved
communities
● Increase awareness of
and access to
programs and
incentives that first
address deferred
maintenance
● Address SplitIncentives: Structure

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Community
Based
Organizations

4. MCE
133
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
multi-unit programs that
incent both renters and
property owners to
implement energy
efficiency and
electrification measures
N-4 Continue to integrate equity
focused actions developed by
community-based organizations
that represent underserved Marin
communities
● Continuation of Action #I-6
● Modify the countywide
electrification roadmap to
incorporate actions that result in
equitable outcomes
● Continue to support
community led planning
especially by
organizations such as
Marin Climate Justice
Collaborative (Canal
Alliance and Marin City
CRHJ)

1. Community
Based
Organizations

2. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff
N-5 Continue implementing programs
that incent gas to electric
conversions by reducing permit
costs and expediting permit
timelines.
● Continuation of Action #I-7
● Continue implementing pilots
proven to be good approaches to
streamlining the permitting
process
● Continue to train examiners and
inspectors on how to permit new
heat pump, electric appliances
and systems via BayREN and
support through other forums
● Continue to identify ways to
simplify permitting (e.g., combine
permits) that makes the process
faster and less costly to
customers
● Offset the impact of the
high cost of permitting
for electrification
○ Restructure and
combine
mechanicalelectrical-plumbing
fees
○ Increase permit fees
for natural gas
installations
compared to electric

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN
134
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-6 Implement policies and programs
that accelerate adoption of
electric ready systems for
existing buildings in advance of
the BAAQMD NOx rules that start
the following year, in 2027
● Continuation to Action #I-8
● Continue Electrify Marin’s upgrade
incentives to prefer panel
optimization and low amp
appliances first, over panel
upsizing
● Consider increasing Electrify
Marin’s incentive for panel
upgrade kicker
● Continue electrical contractor
trainings and socialization on
alternatives to panel upsizing and
mitigate the need to perform a
service upgrade
● Continue targeted outreach
campaigns to known older
residential and commercial
buildings built before 1980
●Implement and enforce adopted
2025 building reach codes that
includes more aggressive electric
readiness requirements while
encouraging optimizing electrical
capacity over upsizing, where
feasible
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit LMI,
hard-to-reach
households, renters
and energy burdened
communities such as in
rural West Marin, North
Marin, Canal, and Marin
City

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN
135
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-7 Continue to implement Marin
Countywide EV acceleration
Strategy
● Continuation of Action #I-9
●Take key actions as outlined in
the acceleration plan
● Partner with
community-based
organizations to
increase access and
identify charging
infrastructure need
● Use building codes to
require charging
capability for all tenants
with parking spaces in
multi-unit buildings that
are affordable and has
cost parity with those
charging in singlefamily homes

1. MCEP

2. Transportation
Authority of Marin

3. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

4. MCE
N-8 Continue to coordinate with
PG&E to improve infrastructure
planning and speed up
interconnection timelines
especially electric load capacity
planning, faster interconnection
timelines, and neighborhood-scale
electrification planning projects.
● Continuation of Action #I-10
● Continue proactive
owner/developer planning and
communication that helps with
PG&Es service and distribution
planning
● See action #N-14 for more details
on neighborhood-scale
electrification
● Segment underserved
communities across
Marin when collecting
data so we can
understand where the
best opportunities exist
to implement target
pilots or campaigns

1. PG&E

2. New Mult-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

3. Commercial
developers

4. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

5. MCEP
136
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-9 Continue to support the growth
of a diverse and skilled building
energy and electrification
workforce.
● Continuation of Action #I-11
● Through TECH, continue to
increase the existing list of
qualified contractors that serves
the region and direct customers to
those lists
● Through BayREN continue to
provide free trainings, continuing
education credit, and networking
opportunities on energy efficiency,
all-electric technology, green
financing products, and business
development for building,
contracting and trades
professionals, realtors, lenders,
and local building and safety staff
(e.g., Green Labeling Program, inperson and virtual training and networking programs
● Re-evaluate the needs on how
local government, communitybased organizations, community colleges, utilities, public agencies,
BayREN, MCE, TAM, and/or
businesses can come together
and fund the growth of and backfill
program gaps for Marin’s energy
and electrification workforce and
contractor base.
● Continue to participate
in regional workforce
development initiatives
that focus on high road
jobs and diversity in the
contractor base

1. Community
Based
Organizations

2. BayREN

3. Local
Government:

Councils/Elected
s and Staff

4. Local
businesses

5. Trades
associations

6. BAAQMD

7. Contractor
workforce

8. TECH Clean
California

9. TAM

10. Community
Colleges
137
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
N-10 If feasible and staff capacity is in
place to enforce, identify a Marin
jurisdiction(s) to pilot a Time of
Listing Energy Audit Policy for
residential buildings.
● Continuation to Action #I-12
● Consider starting with voluntary
compliance check and resolutions
and/or Home Energy Score audits
● Consider balancing burdens to the
seller and value proposition to the
buyer.
● Consider mechanisms such as a
refundable transfer tax.
● See #I-12 1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Communitybased
organization

4. Marin Realtors

5. MCEP
N-11 Evaluate then consider providing
complementary financing options
such as a regional tariff on-bill
financing program that serves
single-family and multi-unit
residences.
●Follow-up to Action #I-13
● Discuss feasibility with Marin
Clean Energy, PG&E, and/or
CPUC to launch a tariff on-bill
financing program (upgrades
repaid through a tariff added to
the utility bill over time) accessible
to the regional customer base.
●Evaluate other forms of financing
targeted to certain communities or
specific technologies, For
example:
○ In 2021, MCE financed 0%
interest home battery loans for
residents
○ Currently MCE and PG&Es
Agricultural and Industrial (AIR)
resources.
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit LMI
households and
landlords serving lowincome tenants.
● Green financing
programs can benefit
LMI and creditconstrained customers
who otherwise may not
qualify for traditional
home equity loans for
upgrades.
● Ensure financing is
available to
households who have
poor credit or can’t
afford taking on debt

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. MCE

4. PG&E

5. CPUC
N-12 If funded and partners are in place,
pilot a loan financing program(s)
● Follow-up to Action #I-14
● Continue work with partners such
● Same as #N-11 1. Local
Government:
138
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
that serves single-family and multiunit residences and/or businesses.as MCE, PG&E, and/or CPUC, local banks, and/or communitybased organizations to provide appropriate financing products
Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. MCE

4. PG&E

5. TECH Clean CA
N-13 Develop a disposal plan for endof-life of gas and heat pump products, appliances, and
refrigerant management.
● Consider codes, campaigns, and
educational materials with the goal
of capturing refrigerants and other
materials for recycling or proper
destruction to ensure they are not
released into the environment
○ This may involve stickers on
appliances, contractor
trainings, additional fines and
enforcement for illegal
disposal, etc.
● Will likely require regional
collaboration, coordination and
planning with Zero Waste Marin,
local waste haulers, landfill
operators and County to ensure
appropriate disposal
● It may require the need for a
regional reuse and salvage
market
Unknown 1. Zero Waste Marin

2. Waste Haulers

3. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

4. Landfill
Operator(s)
N-14 Evaluate feasibility and funding
resources, then, identify a
location to pilot a neighborhoodscale electrification
● Leverage existing and/or collect
new electricity and gas data to
analyze ideal candidates.
● Coordinate with PG&E and
● See #I-14 1. PG&E

2. Community
members/neighbo
rhoods
139
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
demonstration project anywhere
within the 12 jurisdictions across
Marin County.
learned lessons from other Bay
Area jurisdictions to identify
criteria to select an ideal location
in Marin County for gas
infrastructure decommissioning.
● Find funding to implement a
neighborhood-scale electrification
pilot project that include both gas
infrastructure decommissioning
planning and replacement of enduse appliances

3. Existing Single- or
Multi-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

4. Communitybased
Organizations

5. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff
N-15 If feasible, partners are in place,
and necessary, develop and
implement a pilot neighborhoodscale electrification
demonstration project. within
Marin County.
● Continuation of Action #I-15
● Continue to coordinate with PG&E
and consult with other Bay Area
jurisdictions select an ideal
location in Marin County for gas
infrastructure decommissioning
● Continue to find funding to
implement as needed
● See #I-14 1. PG&E

2. Existing Single- or
Multi-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

3. Communitybased
Organizations

4. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff
140
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
L-1 Develop, adopt and implement
updated building and EV
infrastructure reach codes for
New Construction of all building
types during the 2028 and 2031
State building code cycles.
● Continuation to Action #I-1
● Ideally develop and adopt during
the 2028 and 2031 code cycle
● Exemptions and
hardship and feasibility
waivers for
○ Low-income
households
○ Households with
special medical and
accessibility needs

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff
L-2 Develop, adopt and implement
updated building and EV
infrastructure reach codes for
Renovations of all building types
during the 2028 and 2031 State
building code cycles.
● Continuation to Action #I-2
● Ideally develop and adopt during
the 2028 and 2031 code cycle
● Exemptions and
hardship and feasibility
waivers for
○ Low-income
households
○ Households with
special medical and
accessibility needs
● Encourage use of
housing programs that
to disincentivize
property owners from
displacing multi-unit
renters during
renovations or
rehabilitation
○ For example,
Multifamily Energy
Savings Assistance
(ESA) program
implemented by
investor-owned
utilities (IOUs)

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff
141
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
● Consider antidisplacement policies
(e.g. reference SAJE or
Build-it Green)
L-3 If successful and necessary,
continue enhancing the “all-inone energy and electrification hub and update the program as
necessary.
● Continuation to Action #N-1
● Re-evaluate the value and need of
the online platform
● If necessary, find more permanent
funding to continue providing
concierge and technical assist
services
● Procure more funding and staffing
resources as needed to provide
wrap-around support and
outreach efforts
● Compliment online platform with
traditional outreach engagements
such as in-person, webinars,
newsletters, media, and promotion
through community-based
organizations and trade
associations
● Continue growing qualified
contractor list
● Targeted campaigns
and efforts to benefit
low-moderate income
(LMI) households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
such as in rural West
Marin, North Marin,
Canal, and Marin City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households
and renters especially
in underserved
communities
● Increase awareness of
and access to
programs and
incentives that first
address deferred
maintenance
● Address SplitIncentives: Structure
multi-unit programs
that incent both renters
and property owners to
implement energy

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. New and Existing
Multi-unit and
Commercial
Developers

3. Community-based
organizations

4. MCE

5. BayREN

6. Transportation
Authority of Marin
142
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
efficiency and
electrification
measures
L-4 Continue to update promotion
and outreach efforts and
campaigns as needed.
● Continuation of Action #N-2
● Continue finding ways to mass
market, expand outreach, and
streamline and consolidate
existing and new programs and
incentives as they arise
● Continue partnering with and
supporting programs through local
community based organizations
● Continue to use existing local
government touchpoints with the
community to provide timely
information and relevant
education
● Targeted campaigns
and efforts to benefit
low-moderate income
(LMI) households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
such as in rural West
Marin, North Marin,
Canal, and Marin City
● Structure rebate and
incentive programs to
benefit LMI households
and renters especially
in underserved
communities
● Increase awareness of
and access to
programs and
incentives that first
address deferred
maintenance
● Address SplitIncentives: Structure
multi-unit programs
that incent both renters
and property owners to

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Community Based
Organizations

4. MCE

5. Transportation
Authority of Marin
143
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
implement energy
efficiency and
electrification
measures
L-5 Continue community
engagements to re-evaluate
policy and community needs.
● Continuation to Action #N-3
● Partner with community to reassess barriers and solutions ● Look at new policy, program,
financing and revenue generating
mechanisms to fund energy and
electrification projects
● Through BayREN, continue to
increase contractor, building
professionals and local building
staff attendance to free trainings
on installing and permitting of heat
pumps and electrical appliances
and systems
● Ensure community
based organizations
serving LMIs, hard-toreach households,
renters and energy
burdened communities
are continually
engaged and partnered
with to develop actions

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN

3. Community Based
Organizations

4. MCE

5. Local businesses

6. Trades
associations

7. Contractor
workforce

8. Transportation
Authority of Marin
L-6 Continue implementing and
enhancing permit streamlining
measures that incent electric
over gas installations.
● Continuation to Action #N-4
●Implement and re-evaluate
approaches to continue speeding
up the permitting process
● Continue to train examiners and
inspectors on how to permit new
heat pump, electric appliances
and systems via BayREN
● Continue to identify ways to
simplify permitting
● Continue to find ways
to offset the impact of
the high cost of
permitting for
electrification

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN
144
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
L-7 Continue code implementation
and rebates and incentives in
support of installing electric
ready systems for existing
buildings especially during the
2028 and 2031 State building code
development cycles.
● Continuation to Action #N-5
● Develop, implement and enforce
adopted 2028 and 2031 building
reach codes that includes that
advance energy and electrification
for residential and nonresidential
● Target campaigns and
efforts to benefit LMI,
and hard-to-reach
households, renters
and energy burdened
communities such as in
rural West Marin, North
Marin, Canal, and
Marin City

1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN
L-8 Continue to implement the Marin
Countywide EV Acceleration
Strategy.
● Continuation of Action #N-6
●Take key actions as outlined in
the acceleration plan
● Partner with community
based organizations to
increase access and
identify charging
infrastructure need
● Continue to ensure
equitable and
affordable access to
EV charging

1. MCEP

2. Transportation
Authority of Marin

3. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

4. MCE
L-9 Continue to coordinate with
PG&E to improve infrastructure
planning.
● Continuation of Action #N-8
● Continue proactive
owner/developer planning and
communication that helps with
● Segment underserved
communities across
Marin when collecting
data so we can

1. PG&E

2. New Mult-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers
145
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
PG&Es service and distribution
planning
understand where the
best opportunities exist
to implement target
pilots or campaigns

3. Commercial
developers

4. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

5. MCEP
L-10 Continue to support growth of
the local and regional building
energy and electrification
workforce.
● Continuation of Action #N-8
● Through BayREN, continue to
increase contractor, building
professionals and local building
staff attendance to free trainings
on installing and permitting of heat
pumps and electrical appliances
and systems
● Re-evaluate the needs on how
local government, communitybased organizations, utilities, public agencies, BayREN and/or
businesses can come together
and fund the growth of and backfill
program gaps for Marin’s
workforce and contractor base. to
best grow Marin’s workforce.
● Continue to participate
in regional workforce
development initiatives
that focus on high road
jobs and diversity in the
contractor base

1. Community Based
Organizations

2. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

3. Local businesses

4. Trades
associations

5. Contractor
workforce

6. MCEP
L-11 If pilot is successful, continue
implementing a Time of Listing
Energy Audit Policy for residential
buildings and expand to other Marin
● Continuation to Action #N-9
● Work with other Cities and Towns
to develop and adopt policy locally
● See #I-12 1. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

2. BayREN
146
Action
#
Action Description
(Policy, Program, Incentives)
Action Details Equity Consideration(s) Recommended
Implementing
Organizations
and Partners
jurisdictions as needed 3. Community-based
organization

4. Marin Realtors

5. MCEP
L-12 If successful, continue to
implement a targeted
neighborhood-scale
electrification pilot
● Continuation to Action #N-13
● Continue coordination with PG&E
and consulting with other
jurisdictions implementing
● Continue to find funding as
needed in order to continue
implementing
● See #I-14 1. PG&E

2. Community
members/neighbo
rhoods

3. Existing Single- or
Multi-unit
affordable and
market rate
developers

4. Community-based
Organizations

5. Local
Government:

Councils/Electeds
and Staff

6. MCEP
L-13 If feasible, begin implementation
of a disposal plan for end-of-life
of gas and heat pump products,
appliances, and refrigerant
management.
● Continuation of Action #N-13
● Implement the plan
● Continue regional collaboration,
coordination and planning with
Zero Waste Marin, local waste
haulers, landfill operators and
County to ensure appropriate
disposal
● It may require the need for a
regional reuse and salvage
market
Unknown 1. Zero Waste Marin

2. Waste Haulers

3. County of Marin

4. Landfill
Operator(s)

5. CalRecycle

ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX ADOPTING MARIN’S COUNTYWIDE ELECTRIFICATION ROADMAP, ADOPTED BY MARIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON OCTOBER 15, 2024, RECOMMENDING ACTIONS TO

TRANSITION BUILDINGS EQUITABLY AND RAPIDLY TO AN ALL-ELECTRIC FUTURE WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax Climate Action Plan 2030 identifies reducing building energy use, and specifically natural gas use, as one of the most effective means of meeting the adopted goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by the year 2030 for the Town of Fairfax; and WHEREAS, an inventory of 2022 greenhouse gas emissions for the Town of Fairfax found that the use of energy in residential and non-residential buildings within the Town of Fairfax generates 37% of the Town’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions, 93.6% of which comes from the combustion of natural gas in buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council adopted a resolution 21-10 on April 7, 2021 declaring a climate emergency and reaffirming the Town’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, on June 6, 2022, a Civil Grand Jury Report entitled Electrifying Marin’s Buildings: A Countywide Approach was published. The report concluded a need for a comprehensive building electrification plan that lays out countywide strategies local policymakers and the community can implement. A majority of the twelve jurisdictions across Marin agreed that a more coordinated effort to plan for an all-electric transition is needed; and
WHEREAS, from January 2023 until August 2024, the County of Marin’s Sustainability Team and Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP) engaged and partnered with over 40 community stakeholders upfront to co-develop an electrification roadmap that put forth recommended actions and subtasks communities can implement. A total of 20 subcommittee meetings, a 3-part workshop series, and adhoc conversations occurred with stakeholders which included the following:

1. Elected officials,

2. City/Town government staff,

3. Utilities and public/regional agencies,

4. Community-based organizations,

5. Building and development practitioners and industry, and

6. Youth/student groups
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2024, the County of Marin Sustainability Team, Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), in partnership with community stakeholders published “Marin’s Countywide Building Electrification Roadmap: Our Community’s Transition to an All-electric Future” that recommended ten key actions (indexed A to J) and subtasks to implement over a phased timeline from 2024 to 2031. See below summarizing the ten actions:

PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of Town Council of the Town of Fairfax held on 6th day of November 2024, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

ATTEST
_______________________________ _______________________________

BARBARA COLER CHRISTINE FOSTER

MAYOR DEPUTY TOWN CLER

Fairfax City CouncilNovember 6, 2024

Fairfax City Council
November 6, 2024