From: Martin McTaggart
Cc: Andrea Chow; Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian Subject: FW: Electrifying the City
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 8:33:24 AM
Good morning, City Council (Bcc’d),
Kindly note the below correspondence.
Best wishes,
Martin
From:
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 5:50 AM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject:
Electrifying the City
Dear Council Members,
Regarding electrifying the city of San Mateo, PLEASE leave this to individual choice, and not mandate the conversion. There are two major unintended consequences.
One the cost is prohibitive to an already extremely expensive area to live. Isn’t the reason you raised height limits for building to decrease the cost of living in San Mateo? Two our power grid is already struggling from an overproduction of solar energy, again unintended consequences, not to mention the planned increase in housing to the city.
Shouldn’t we make sure our electric grid can handle what is being mandated? Doesn’t one make
sure the foundation is strong before building the house on it?
Diane Dorricott
From: Martin McTaggart
To: Andrea Chow
Subject: FW: ELECTRIFICATION
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 10:30:32 AM
From: EILEEN MCKAGUE
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 9:18 AM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: ELECTRIFICATION
ATTACHED IS OUR LETTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL:
From: Michelle Hudson
To: Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission; Andrea Chow Subject: Comment on Reach Codes Item
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 8:55:11 AM
Dear Sustainability and Infrastructure Commissioners,
I am a long time resident of San Mateo, and am also the Co-Leader of the 350 Silicon Valley San Mateo Climate Action Team. I am writing to you regarding the Reach Codes Agenda item for tonight’s SIC meeting.
The climate crisis is real. We are living in a time of federal inaction and backsliding on climate. Cities, more than ever, must take strong action to combat the climate crisis. Inaction will be to the detriment of everyone in our community and future generations.
Thank you for your past actions that have helped to make San Mateo a leader in Reach Code adoption. I am writing to request that you continue to help San Mateo lead by supporting strong Reach Codes for existing buildings.
Requiring building reach codes by Ordinance is a fair and balanced way to reduce GHG emissions.
Voluntary programs just don’t work and create confusion for homeowners and builders.
I acknowledge that the initial cost of electrification can sometimes be higher than replacing gas with gas. However, electrification can eliminate up to 10 tons of GHG emissions from each San Mateo home, each year.
San Mateo’s Climate Action Plan requires a reduction of approximately 300,000
tons of GHG per year. This goal can be met if all homeowners work together to do their share.
The cost of electrification is expected to drop, and after January 1, 2025, it is still anticipated that
Peninsula Clean Energy will provide rebates for heat pump water heaters and there is still time before the end of this year.
Based on the foregoing, I support the following Reach Code proposals set forth in staff’s report:
a.
AC2HP (Air Conditioning to Heat Pump conversion) Residential. For single family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, require that a failed air conditioning unit be replaced with a heat pump for heating and cooling. I support the optional efficiency measures, but I prefer AC2HP. b.
AC2HP Commercial. For commercial buildings, require failed single zone rooftop air conditioning units of 5 tons or more be replaced with a heat pump, OR, alternatively install a single zone air conditioning unit with a heat recovery ventilator. c.
Flex Path - remodels based on square footage. At the time of renovation of single family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, require home owners/builders to select improvements from a menu, with a desired score of at least 18 but preferably higher, such as 24. Use a square footage threshold for remodels of 1,000 square feet maximum, but preferably lower that to 750 square feet.
d.
Electric Readiness. At time of renovation of single family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, require “electric readiness” improvements.
One last note about where our city is at on Reach Codes. 350 Silicon Valley San Mateo Climate Action Team, and others who care deeply about combatting the climate crisis and protecting the health of our community, have come before this commission numerous times to advocate for strong Reach Codes - both before and after the Ninth Circuit court decision changed the legal landscape for Reach Codes. In fact, we presented to this commission most recently just several months ago. Our Council seems to keep asking staff to do more outreach on Reach Codes, including on the same proposals that were presented/discussed at the last SIC meeting. I respectfully request that you emphatically recommend that Council put an end to the delays and outreach recommendations (which have yielded far less community turnout than the previous outreach meetings that were conducted not long ago), and move forward with adoption of all four Reach Code proposals set forth above. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hudson
Resident, City of San Mateo
From: Gail Lee
To: Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission
Subject: Leaf blowers and Reach code
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 8:51:53 PM
Dear members of the San Mateo City Council,
I would like to urge members to support what has been done in Burlingame, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, and Pall Alto; and which was also recommended by the San Mateo Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission at its meeting of September 10, 2025:
1) Place a limit on hours of leaf blower operation in residential areas and adjacent commercial areas.
2) Begin enforcement of the new leaf blower Ordinance nine months after adoption, and 3) Recommend whether you think senalties should be assigned to the property owner, or the leaf blower operating company
With regard to the Reach codes under consideration for existing buildings, I would like to urge members to support Reach Codes for cooling upgrades and planned home renovations for the 2025 building code cycle.
The new codes will ensure that alternatives to use of methane gas are selected and reduce reliance on methane which is known to cause fires, contrlbute to indoor air pollution, contribute to respiratory illnesses, and reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and worsen environmental justice.
Thank you for your consideration of these positive environmental, health and climate positive improvements for our community.
Sincerely,
Gail Lee, REHS, MS, LEED Green Associate
Executive Board, Sustainable San Mateo County
Community Advisory Committee, Peninsula Clean Energy
Professor, University of San Francisco
Resident, San Bruno
From: Robert Whitehair
To: Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission; Andrea Chow Subject: Reach Codes
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 10:53:35 AM
Dear Chair and Members
Thank you for taking up Reach Codes at tonight's meeting. And thank you for your actions last month on gas powered leaf blowers. Your recommendations helped frame the issue when it went to City Council earlier this week.
Home and business electrification is the one most direct, personal action that each of us can take in response to the very real climate crisis. Bold, strong leadership by the City of San Mateo will help every resident and business speed up the replacement of fossil gas with healthy, clean electricity.
I would like to point out some important points about what is before you.
The proposal for renovation speaks to a threshold of 1,000 square feet, and a point score of 18.
Everyone is probably aware of the relationship between these parameters and the "Berkeley decision" by the 9th District Court. I urge the Commission to be as bold as possible by reducing the threshold for square feet to 750 square feet, and increasing the point score to 30.
I believe that in this way, the Commission will once again frame the issue for positive City Council action.
Thank you for all you do.
Robert (he, him)
Co-leader, San Mateo Climate Action Team
Acknowledgement: I reside on the unceded lands of our indigenous ancestors the Ramaytush Ohlone, while benefiting from racial privilege. We begin making reparations by accepting only a kinship view of our place on the planet: All life is interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated.
To TEXT Me
From: Tom Kabat
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Support for Building Reach Codes
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 8:05:49 AM
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council
I’m grateful to Council and City staff for taking the time at the November 3, 2025 study session to consider Building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for residential and non-residential properties, "Flex Path" for residential renovations, and "Electric Readiness" for certain residential improvements. I appreciate your focus on progress for this important issue.
I support cooling upgrades for residential properties.
I propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties have an upper threshold of 20 tons.
For Flex path, I request that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
I support electric readiness.
Thank you for all the important work you do helping move us toward greater climate safety.
Sincerely,
Tom Kabat
From: Sarah Hubbard
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Support for SM Building Reach Codes: Cooling, Flex Path, and Electric Readiness Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 9:06:54 AM
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council,
I am writing to you today as a concerned resident of San Mateo and a climate advocate to express my strong support for the Building Reach Codes being considered on November 3, 2025.
I appreciate your focus on this important issue and applaud the Council and City staff for taking the time to consider Building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for residential and non-residential properties, "Flex Path" for residential renovations, and "Electric Readiness" for certain residential improvements. I was further informed by my attendance at the informative Reach Code community meeting hosted by the San Mateo Sustainability Program Manager Andrea Chow on October 23.
Here are my specific points of support and a few proposals:
I support cooling upgrades for residential properties.
I propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties have an upper threshold of 20 tons. This aligns with what the City Council is being asked to consider for larger air conditioning units.
For the Flex Path, I request that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu. My understanding is that a 1,000 square feet threshold will not impact many projects.
I support electric readiness standards, which will lead to greenhouse gas reductions and prepare us for upcoming Air District NOx standards.
Thank you for your continued leadership in addressing the climate crisis and for all that you do.
Best regards,
Sarah Hubbard
San Mateo Resident and Climate Advocate
From: Robert Whitehair
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Reach Codes on November 3 San Mateo City Council Agenda Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 9:37:56 PM
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council
I applaud the Council and City staff for taking the time at the November 3, 2025 study session to consider building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for residential and non- residential properties, "Flex Path" for residential renovations, and "Electric Readiness" for certain residential improvements. I appreciate your focus on such an important issue.
I support cooling upgrades for residential properties.
I propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties have an upper threshold of 20 tons.
For Flex path, I request that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
I support electric readiness.
Thank you for all you do
Robert Whitehair (he, him)
Acknowledgement: I reside on the unceded lands of our indigenous ancestors the Ramaytush Ohlone, while benefiting from racial privilege. We begin making reparations by accepting only a kinship view of our place on the planet: All life is interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated.
From: Ellyn Dooley
To: City Council (San Mateo); Clerk
Subject: Reach codes
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 9:14:48 AM
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council
I applaud the Council and City staff for taking the time at the November 3, 2025 study session to consider Building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for residential and non-residential properties, "Flex Path" for residential renovations, and "Electric Readiness" for certain residential improvements. I appreciate your focus on such an important issue.
I support cooling upgrades for residential properties.
I propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties have an upper threshold of 20 tons.
For Flex path, I request that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
I support electric readiness. This is the direction we all must take to fully prepare our built environment for the future.
Thank you for all you do.
Ellyn Dooley
“You might think of sustainability as extending the Golden Rule through time, so that you do unto future generations (as well as your present human beings) as you would have them do unto you.”
- Robert Gilman, Director, Context Institute
The greates threat to our planet is the belief that
someone else will save it.
— Robert Swan
From: Elaine Salinger
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Comment about San Mateo City Council Study Session on Reach Codes Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:41:54 AM
Hello San Mateo City Council Members,
We thank you for your continued leadership in response to the climate crisis. We are excited about your consideration on November 3rd, of some important electrification action steps.
I lead the San Mateo County chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. My view is not just my opinion, it is also the opinion of 1200 CCL members in SMC and over 200 members who live inside the city of San Mateo. We wholeheartedly support electrifying our homes and businesses with energy efficient appliances, in addition to insulation upgrades:
We support cooling upgrades for residential properties.
We propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties have an upper threshold of 20 tons.
For Flex path, we request that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
And we support electric readiness.
Thank you
Elaine Salinger, San Mateo County Chapter Leader
Citizens Climate Lobby
From: PETER PAFFRATH
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Building Reach Codes
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:28:02 AM
My wife and I support this letter to you from Bob Whitehair. — Pete and Lynda Paffrath "Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council
I commend the Council and City staff for dedicating time during the November 3, 2025, study session to review Building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for both residential and non-residential properties, "Flex Path" for residential renovations, and "Electric Readiness" for certain residential improvements. I value your focus on this significant issue.
I support implementing cooling upgrades for residential properties.
I recommend setting an upper limit of 20 tons for cooling upgrades on non-residential properties.
For Flex Path, I ask that the City Council consider applying the standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
I support electric readiness.
Pete Paffrath
From: Harry Moody
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Time to Act on Reach Codes and Electrical Issues Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 8:14:24 AM
Dear Mayor Newsom and City Council:
I want to praise the San Mateo City Council and City staff for what you did on November 3, 2025. You gave consideration to Building Reach Codes, including cooling upgrades for residential and non-residential properties, and related issues. I have testified in person a City Council meetings but I can't come at this time so I'm writing to you.
I want you to know that I give my full support to cooling upgrades for residential properties,
which affects me directly in the apartment where I live now.
Residential is important but non-residential properties are also important.
That's why I propose that cooling upgrades for non-residential properties should have an upper threshold of 20 tons.
As for Flex path, I'm asking that the City Council apply standards to renovations of 500 square feet or more, with a score of 30 on the Flex Path Menu.
All these steps are important and I support electric readiness here in San Mateo.
Thank you for everything that you do. You make me proud to live in San Mateo.
I will come to a Council meeting at my next opportunity to thank you in person, as I've done in the past.
Harry R. Moody, Ph.D.
San Mateo, CA