From: Martin McTaggart
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian
Subject: FW: Electrification reach codes
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026 8:04:16 AM
Good morning, Andrea,
Kindly include the below email as public comment received for this item on 3/2.
Best wishes,
Martin
-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Hearle
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 1:46 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Electrification reach codes
As residents of San Mateo for 30 years, and San Mateo homeowners for 25 years, my wife and I have through the years replaced our gas appliances with electric appliances until last year we had PG&E completely disconnect our natural gas line.
We did this both because we know that climate change is real and generated by human actions (and thus at least in part our responsibility and yours), and because a home heated and cooled by electricity, with electrically heated water, and with food prepared on and in an electric powered range is safer and provide us with better air quality than did the natural gas heated house we had bought.
We encourage the City Council of San Mateo to improve the lives of your fellow San Mateans by passing reach codes which will over time make for an environmentally sustainable San Mateo for the future.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hearle, Ph.D.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Martin McTaggart
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian
Subject: FW: Reduce gas emissions from existing buildings.
Date: Friday, February 13, 2026 10:00:10 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Ricki McGlashan
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2026 1:55 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Reduce gas emissions from existing buildings.
I am proud to live in San Mateo and proud of all the steps our council has taken over the years to tighten the rules about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
I’m very pleased that you are taking further steps. Don’t quit now. With climate change upon us, now is the time to redouble efforts, not give up the fight. We in our home have gone all electric, and I sleep better at night knowing we are doing something to help.
PLEASE PASS THE ELECTRIFICATION ORDINANCE.
Ricki and Doug McGlashan
SM
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:25 AM
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger
Subject: FW: writing regarding March 2, 2026, council meeting
From: Lynda Paffrath
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 12:38 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: writing regarding March 2, 2026, council meeting
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing regarding the upcoming City Council meeting on March 2, 2026, where a building electrification ordinance is scheduled to be considered. I support the adoption of the proposed ordinance as outlined below.
Cooling upgrades - residential: I support adopting an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades, or specific options, for residential properties (single-family houses, duplexes, and townhomes) when an air conditioning unit is replaced or installed. This will help reduce overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooling upgrades, non-residential: I support adopting an ordinance that mandates cooling upgrades for non-residential properties up to 20 tons.
Renovation of 1,000 square feet or more of residential space, with a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet: I support adopting the new ordinance and request that the effectiveness of this requirement be reviewed after one year.
Electric Readiness: I support adopting electric readiness standards because they will help reduce greenhouse gases and prepare us for the Air District NOx standards. They will also ensure residents are prepared if gas prices increase, as expected.
Thank you for your ongoing climate leadership and thoughtful attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Lynda Paffrath
San Mateo Resident for 50 years
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:25 AM
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger
Subject: FW: please support strong reach codes for existing buildings
From: Mike Swire
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 12:37 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Cc: Robert Whitehair ; Michelle Hudson
Subject: please support strong reach codes for existing buildings
Dear City Council,
Thank you for your work in making the City of SM more sustainable. In that vein, I ask that you please consider and approve strong reach codes for existing buildings. I support all proposals put forward by Robert Whitehair, Michelle Hudson, San Mateo Climate Action team, and the other environmental groups that are promoting strong reach codes.
Thank you,
Mike Swire
San Mateo resident
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:21 AM
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger
Subject: FW: 2-Mar City Council meeting
From: Gary Trott 2
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 11:19 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Cc: 'Gary Trott 2'
Subject: 2-Mar City Council meeting
Dear San Mateo City Council
On Monday, 2-March 2026, the San Mateo City Council will be considering several building code opƟons to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from exisƟng buildings.
I am a San Mateo resident who is deeply concerned about the climate crisis, and I urge the City to conƟnue strong acƟon to combat the climate crisis at the local level.
Thus, I am writing you regarding the upcoming City Council meeting of March 2, 2026, at which a building electrification ordinance is scheduled to be considered. I support adoption of the proposed ordinance as described below.
Cooling upgrades - residenƟal: I support adopƟon of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades, or certain opƟons, for residenƟal properƟes (single family houses, duplexes, and townhomes) at the Ɵme an air condiƟoning unit is being replaced or added. This will reduce overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooling upgrades, non-residenƟal: I support adopƟon of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades for non-residenƟal properƟes up to 20 tons.
RenovaƟon of 1,000 square feet or more of residenƟal space, with a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet: I support adopƟon of the new Ordinance and request that the effecƟveness of this requirement be revisited in one year.
Electric Readiness: I support adopƟon of electric readiness standards because they will lead to greenhouse gas reducƟons and prepare us for the Air District NOx standards. They will also allow our residents to be prepared, should gas prices increase, as is expected.
Thank you for your conƟnued climate leadership, and thoughƞul aƩenƟon to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gary Trott
San Mateo Resident
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:25 AM
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger
Subject: FW: electrification ordinance
From: PETER PAFFRATH
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 12:27 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: electrification ordinance
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing about the upcoming City Council meeting on March 2, 2026, where a building electrification ordinance is scheduled for review. I support adopting the proposed ordinance as detailed below.
Cooling upgrades - residential: I support passing an ordinance requiring that residential Properties, such as single-family houses, duplexes, and townhomes, incorporate energy-efficient air conditioning units when replacing or installing. This helps reduce overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. For non-residential buildings, I support adopting an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades for properties up to 20 tons.
Renovation of 1,000 square feet or more of residential space, with a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet: I support adopting the new ordinance and request that the effectiveness of this requirement be reviewed after one year.
Electric Readiness: I support adopting electric readiness standards because they will help reduce greenhouse gases and prepare us for the Air District NOx standards. They will also ensure residents are prepared if gas prices increase, as expected.
Thank you for your ongoing climate leadership and thoughtful attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Pete Paffrath
San Mateo Resident for 50 years
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:23 AM
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger
Subject: FW: Message to all members of the San Mateo City Council Attachments: Message to City Council of San Mateo .doc
From: Rick Moody
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 4:51 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Message to all members of the San Mateo City Council
Message to City Council of San Mateo Feb. 13, 2026
This is Harry (Rick) Moody writing to the San Mateo City Council. San Mateo is the place I live and I’m really worried about the climate situation. I’m now 81 years old and last year I published a book, CLIMATE CHANGE IN AN AGING SOCIETY (Routledge, 2025). You can quickly see why I’m so concerned about the place where I live.
I know you’re going to be meeting on Mar. 2, and I have heard that you’re going to look at building electrification. I’m not expert on this subject, but I do live in a condo building, and I want you to push for an ordinance to protect our community. That includes me at 10 Scenic Way, right near Piazza’s Supermarket), which is where our condo is located.
I don’t know all the costs and the technology, but I am in favor an ordinance that would enforce cooling upgrades. You’ll have make some variations depending on whether we’re dealing with single family houses or places like the condo where my wife and I live. We don’t have air conditioning ourselves—we don’t need it. But other people, even in our building, do need it, so you’ll have to deal with the challenge of air conditioning when it’s replaced. When I wrote my book on climate and aging I learned a lot about air conditioning related to greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a tremendous problem and could get much worse, even in a place like Sa Mateo.
You should act on this problem.
You can probably treat non-residential property in a different way in ordinances, but they will need to have cooling upgrades, too.
2 In all this I want to say-- Why no try out a new ordinance and then evaluate effectiveness after a year? An academic person, I know the importance of evaluation.
I’ve also been looking at electric readiness. I dismayed by electric rates, even though my wife and I did get rid of our gas stove and replace it with an induction coil in the kitchen. She knows more about this than I do, but the new technology seems to work fine. Whatever you do, just do something to promote greenhouse gas reductions. We have three little grandchildren who live in South San Francisco—only a half hour from here. I ask myself: What sort of world will they grow up in? They’re growing pretty rapidly right now. I may not be around to see them, but I care about the world that they’ll live in.
I’m proud of what San Mateo has already done on climate action, and I tell people about this whenever I travel and talk to people: I get lots of requests because of my book and because I used to work for AARP in Washington. I am proud to tell people what the City of San Mateo is doing.
I live here in San Mateo and I want you to do what’s right for me and for future generations.
Harry R. Moody, Ph.D.
1 Andrea Chow
From: Martin McTaggart
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 3:17 PM
Cc: Andrea Chow; Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian Subject: FW: Comments for upcomong City Council Meeting Good afternoon, City Council (Bcc’d),
Kindly see the below public comment.
Best wishes,
Martin
From: Bruce Naegel
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 1:35 PM
To: Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission <[email protected]>; Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Comments for upcomong City Council Meeting
As a resident of Mountain View, I look at what other cities are doing on sustainability. San Mateo has been a leader in advancing sustainability measures. We need to succeed in sustainability
measures across the Bay Area as well as the state and the country. Here are some thoughts on sustainability measures on the agenda for the upcoming council meeting in San Mateo.
Electric Readiness
The path forward is one moving to all electric buildings.
The least expensive fuel in the future and now is from
renewable sources like Solar and Wind. Getting ready with Electric Readiness Support means one less issue to deal with when converting to all electric. Planning now also means working on panel sizing. Careful consideration of the true electrical demands means avoiding unnecessary panel upgrades.
Cooling Upgrades Residential
Air conditioners will wear out and need to be replaced .
Consider replacing the AC unit with one that provides both heating and cooling. Heat from a heat pump provides continuous temperature regulation. This provides heat with more comfort than the sudden off and on cycling of a normal heater. It is also more energy efficient. The upgrade from an AC unit to one that supports both heating and cooling is minimal.
Cooling Upgrades Non Residential (up to 20 Tons).
2 There are many smaller offices that will need AC to be replaced over time. Air Conditioner systems are getting more energy efficient over time. They can also supply heat.
They work well in many configurations.
Gas prices are projected to grow more than electric prices as customers migrate from gas to electric. When one migrates, the cost of the gas infrastructure is spread over fewer customers raising the gas price per customer. As the gas distribution ages, it is more likely to need repairs and become more expensive.
Commercial HVAC units up to 20 Tons.
These HVAC systems also provide benefits of smoother
heat transition as compared to standard units, improving comfort for the occupants. New technology HVAC units
are more energy efficient, saving money and the environment.
Renovation of 1000 square feet or more with a score of 12 on the city's Building Permit Worksheet (Flex Path).
The Flex Path worksheet provides a list of upgrades to make the building more efficient. A score of 12 on this worksheet will lower energy costs over time. Energy costs have been going up. Prepare for tomorrow with part the retrofits today
From: Martin McTaggart
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian
Subject: RE: March 2 item: building code ordinance (Cooling upgrades, FlexPath, Electric Readiness) Date: Friday, February 13, 2026 9:42:56 AM
From: Wendy Chou
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 9:42 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: March 2 item: building code ordinance (Cooling upgrades, FlexPath, Electric Readiness)
Dear Mayor Loraine, Deputy Mayor Fernandez, and Councilmembers Diaz Nash, Cwirko- Godicki, and Newsom,
Thank you for taking up on March 2 a proposed building "reach" code ordinance for existing buildings in San Mateo, the city where my family and I have lived for the past 7+
years.
I fully support, and respectfully urge you to adopt, the proposed ordinance in all the categories it covers, namely:
Cooling Upgrades (at the time A/C is being added/replaced) - Residential (single- family houses, duplexes, and townhomes);
Cooling Upgrades, Non-Residential (properties with cooling capacities up to 20 tons);
FlexPath (for significant renovation of residential space, i.e. 1,000 sq ft and above, and achieving a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet); and
Electric Readiness (a.k.a. "pre-wiring", involving kitchen & laundry remodels and similar major alterations that affect the electrical system/panel).
As a voting San Matean and parent who thinks daily about climate impacts close to home, I'm so proud of the progress San Mateo has made toward building decarbonization. Approving this ordinance will be a great sign of our city's leadership, because:
Every gas appliance that is replaced with an electric one means a safer, cleaner, and healthier home. These days we all spend a lot of time indoors, so removing fossil fuel combustion from indoor settings improves air quality, especially for younger lungs.
Swapping out defunct central air conditioners in favor of newer heat pump devices (with both heating and cooling functions) makes good practical sense and will
allow many owners to skip over an expensive furnace replacement in the future.
Being prepared and thinking ahead to prioritize clean energy will save a lot of money in the long run. Clinging to gas, on the other hand, would mean being subjected to rapidly rising fuel prices, costly gas line replacements, and the constant fear of leaks and deadly explosions, aside from being antithetical to fixing the climate crisis.
As a renter, I look to our local building code enforcement to help landlords make the right decisions
to protect the welfare of building occupants like myself. People in the business world are fond of complaining about "unpopular" mandates, but these
mandates effectively save lives. Buildings today have smoke detectors, triggered sprinklers in multifamily buildings, are free from leaded paint and asbestos, and are far more seismically safe -- thanks to building codes. They do this quietly behind the scenes but their role is so important.
With federal safeguards on climate sadly crumbling around us, I am very grateful for the commitment of this City Council and others around the Bay Area to improving our existing buildings and maintaining climate action when we need it most.
Thank you for your service to San Mateo. I also wish to thank the hard-working staff / consultant team who engaged the public and made this ordinance possible.
Sincerely,
Wendy
Resident of San Mateo
From: Martin McTaggart
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian
Subject: FW: Building Electrification Reach Code Support Date: Monday, February 23, 2026 12:44:26 PM
From: Sue Blockstein
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 9:51 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject:
Building Electrification Reach Code Support
I am a resident of San Mateo. I am deeply concerned about climate change and urge you to support the proposed ordinance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.
In light of the federal governments backward movement on reducing emissions, it is even more important to take action locally.
I am writing regarding the upcoming City Council meeting of March 2, 2026, at which a building electrification ordinance is scheduled to be considered. I support adoption of the proposed ordinance as described below.
Cooling upgrades - residential: I support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades, or certain options, for residential properties (single family houses, duplexes, and townhomes) at the time an air conditioning unit is being replaced or added. This will reduce overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooling upgrades, non-residential: I support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades for non-residential properties up to 20 tons.
Renovation of 1,000 square feet or more of residential space, with a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet: I support adoption of the new Ordinance and request that the effectiveness of this requirement be revisited in one year.
Electric Readiness: I support adoption of electric readiness standards because they will lead to greenhouse gas reductions and prepare us for the Air District NOx standards.
They will also allow our residents to be prepared, should gas prices increase, as is expected.
Thank you for your continued climate leadership, and thoughtful attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Sue Blockstein
From: Clerk
To: Andrea Chow
Cc: Christina Horrisberger; Alex Khojikian
Subject: FW: Support for Building Electrification Ordinance - March 2, 2026 City Council Meeting Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 10:25:03 AM
From: Michelle Hudson
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 9:16 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]>; Clerk <[email protected]> Subject:
Support for Building Electrification Ordinance - March 2, 2026 City Council Meeting
Dear Mayor Loraine and City Council Members,
I am a San Mateo resident who is deeply concerned about the worsening climate crisis, and the detrimental impact of climate change on our community, particularly our youth and future generations. I urge the City to continue strong action to combat the climate crisis at the local level, specifically by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our local building stock.
In the upcoming City Council meeting of March 2, 2026, a building electrification ordinance is scheduled to be considered. I support adoption of the proposed ordinance as described below.
· Cooling upgrades - residential: I support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades, or certain options, for residential properties (single family houses, duplexes, and townhomes) at the time an air conditioning unit is being replaced or added. This will reduce overall energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
· Cooling upgrades, non-residential: I support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades for non-residential properties up to 20 tons. · Renovation of 1,000 square feet or more of residential space, with a score of 12 on the City’s building permit worksheet: I support adoption of the new Ordinance and request that the effectiveness of this requirement be revisited in one year.
· Electric Readiness: I support adoption of electric readiness standards because they will lead to greenhouse gas reductions and prepare us for the Air District NOx standards. They will also allow our residents to be prepared, should gas prices increase, as is expected.
Thank you for your continued climate leadership, and thoughtful attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hudson
San Mateo resident and homeowner
From: Robert Whitehair
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk; Andrea Chow; Michelle Hudson; Wendy Chou
Subject: Please approve Reach Codes for Existing Buildings Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 9:52:26 AM
Attachments: San Mateo Reach Code Letter March 2, 2026.pdf Dear Mayor Loraine and City Council
On behalf of The San Mateo Climate Action Team, many other organizations, and many individuals, we urge you to approve the Reach Codes for Existing Buildings that we understand will be considered by Council on March 2
Attached is a sign on letter from these organizations and individuals. We understand too that others have emailed you with their support
Thank you for all you do for the climate!
Robert Whitehair and Michelle Hudson, Co-Leaders, San Mateo Climate Action Team To
TEXT Me
2 On October 27, 2025, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres said:
“Humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and must change course immediately.” We agree, and we urge strong local action.
City Council action on March 2, 2026: We understand that San Mateo staff will propose adoption of an ordinance that follows the direction Council gave at a November 3, 2025, study session meeting and that Council will be considering several building code options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings. These include cooling upgrades for both residential and non-residential properties, as well as “Flex Path” and “Electric Readiness”. We support adoption of such an ordinance as set forth below.
A. Cooling upgrades – residential. We understand that the City Council will be considering a proposal that when a residential air conditioning unit is being replaced or is being added to an existing building, a heat pump must be installed by the building owner, OR, the property owner must at that time install energy efficient measures. If adopted, this would apply to single family homes, townhomes, and duplexes. Following this standard would also prepare the property owner to be in compliance with upcoming Air District “zero NOx” standards on gas fired furnaces.
We support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades, or certain options, for residential properties at the time an air conditioning unit is being replaced or added.
B. Cooling upgrades, non-residential. We understand that, similar to that for residential properties, the City Council will be considering a requirement for non-residential buildings that when an air conditioning unit fails, it must be replaced with a heat pump by the building owner, OR, the owner must install energy efficient measures. State Code already requires such action for smaller air conditioning units. The City Council will be asked to consider extending those standards to larger air conditioning units, up to 20 tons in size. Existing state building codes apply for failed air conditioning units up to 5 tons in size.
We support adoption of an ordinance that requires cooling upgrades up to 20 tons for non-residential properties.
C. Flex Path - Renovation of 1,000 square feet or more of residential space. We understand that the City Council will be considering a proposed requirement that single family, townhomes, and duplex building renovations of 1,000 square feet or more include greenhouse gas reducing improvements, with a target score of 12.
We support adoption of an Ordinance that requires Flex Path, and request that the effectiveness of this requirement be revisited in one year. 3 D. Electric Readiness Finally, we understand that the City Council will be considering a proposed requirement for electric readiness for single family, townhomes, and duplex buildings, when improvements are being made within kitchen or laundry space. The requirements would include such work as reserved breaker space on electrical panels, electrical plugs that will accommodate electric appliances, and wiring and conduit in preparation for future installations of greenhouse gas reducing electrical appliances.
We also understand that the cost of gas is increasing faster than electricity. Over the next few years, this will create pressure to electrify the home, creating another benefit in addition to the climate benefits.
We support adoption of an Ordinance that includes electric readiness standards.
The four components of the Ordinance being considered by the Council will improve the living conditions of our residents and improve our overall health. The ordinance as we understand its composition will lead to greenhouse gas reductions, and it will prepare us for the coming Air District NOx standards. Finally, implementation of the Ordinance will allow our residents to be prepared, should gas prices increase.
Thank you for your continued climate leadership, and for your thoughtful attention to this important opportunity to tackle the climate crisis at the local level.
Electronically approved by the individuals and the authorized representatives of the organizations shown below.
Michelle Hudson and Robert Whitehair, Co Leaders, 350 Silicon Valley San Mateo City Team, and San Mateo Climate Action Team
Cheryl Weiden, signed on behalf of 350 Silicon Valley
Elaine Salinger, Leader, signed on behalf of Citizens Climate Lobby Lauren Weston, Executive Director, signed on behalf of Acterra Margo Meiman, Leader, signed on behalf of Pacifica Climate Committee Bruce Hodge, signed on behalf of Carbon Free Silicon Valley Amir Gur, signed on behalf of Value Economy
Harry R Moody, signed on behalf of Indivisible San Mateo Carbon Free Palo Alto
Wendy Chou, San Mateo
Natalie Dias
Jayden Wan
Belinda Chlouber, San Mateo
Laura Brash, San Mateo
Mary Rose LeBaron, San Mateo
4 Mike Caggiano, San Mateo
Mike Swire, San Mateo
Gerard Manning, Burlingame
John McKenna, Menlo Park
Linh Dan Do, Menlo Park
Nancy Federspiel
Nancy Larocca Hedley, Menlo Park
Kristel Wickham, Sunnyvale
Nina Wouk
Peri Caylor
Robert Wenda Zhou
Teletha Derrington
Alma Carrizosa
Julia Ahn
Brody Jake Friedeberg
Joanna Falla