Written Comment — Santa Monica City Council, September 27, 2022

1 Vernice Hankins
From: Dean Kubani <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 1:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 10-C

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong support for Item 10-C on your agenda: adoption of the Zero Emission Building Code. Santa Monica has been a leader for over 30 years in addressing climate change and adoption of this code will continue that leadership and encourage other cities to take similar actions. In their 2018 Special Report, the climate experts on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) make clear that globally we must cut our greenhouse gas emissions at least 45% by 2030 in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The IPCC report notes that meeting this urgent goal is not impossible but it will require “unprecedented transitions in all aspects of society”. Adopting the proposed Zero Emission Building Code is one of the transitions that is most urgently needed. It will ensure that all new buildings constructed in Santa Monica are fossil-fuel free and, thanks to the supply of 100% renewable electricity provided to the city by Clean Power Alliance, they won’t generate greenhouse gas emissions throughout their operational lives. In 2018 California began transitioning its energy supply to 100% renewable electricity and expanding its grid and energy storage capacity in order to support a new zero emission economy in the state. There are numerous cost effective and highly efficient alternatives to fossil-fueled building systems and appliances currently on the market including heat pump water heaters, induction stoves and electric clothes dryers. They are being used in buildings throughout the city now, including many affordable housing projects, so there is no excuse to not require them all new construction given the urgency of the climate crisis. Thank you for your consideration of my input and for your past and, hopefully, future leadership to address the climate crisis - there is no time to wait! Respectfully submitted,
Dean Kubani
Chair, Santa Monica Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment Item 10.C
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Danny Maier <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 4:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to you to express my strong support for the proposed updates to the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Codes. These codes are crucial for Santa Monica to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 as well as for the greater mitigation of climate change. As someone who has worked with Climate Action Santa Monica, I have talked to many Santa Monica residents and people from around the world urging for the city to support policies and codes that will do just that. I strongly urge you to vote in support of these updated building codes. Thank you for your time and let's continue to mitigate the worst effects of climate change for a more sustainable future.

Sincerely,
Danny Maier
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Rev. Jim Conn <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2022 11:27 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27 Agenda Item 10 C, Zero Emission Building and EV Codes

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Council Members...

I strongly support the staff proposals in this item. I urge you to vote for these policies.

JIM
Rev. Jim Conn
230 Pacific St #108
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310/392-5056
Associations:

CLUE - A Founding Member: www.cluejustice.org
Climate Action Santa Monica - Advisory Board
Asset Based Community Development: www.abcdinstitute.org/ United Methodist Minister - Retired: www.calpacUMC.org
Former Council Member and Mayor of Santa Monica
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From: gerda newbold <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 11:40 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: support for Item 10 C

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I'm writing to express my strong support for the proposed Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Code. I know I don't have to explain to you the urgency with which we must act on climate. The recent IPCC Report outlines all the risks ahead that are now becoming realities. Our current drought and the heatwaves across the world this summer only illustrate the point. It is critical that all levels of government update policies to address this crisis. We must electrify and we must electrify quickly.

Santa Monica has been a leader on addressing climate. This ordinance is another example of Santa Monica doing what needs to be done. I strongly urge you to vote in support of this updated building code. On a personal note, we put in an induction stove 8 years ago with no gas line to our stove. It works well and is cleaner and more energy efficient than gas.

We have no regrets!
Thank you for the work that you do on behalf of the City.

Gerda Newbold
225 12th Street
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Kathy Seal <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 4:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27 meeting -- Support for Item 10 C

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
Please the proposed Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Code. I strongly support them, because we need to act on climate now -- as I'm sure you know. Governments have to update policies to meet this crisis head-on. Santa Monica has long lead in climate change policy, and I strong urge you to continue this tradition by voting in support of this updated building code.

Thanks so much for all the work that you do for our city! Kathy Seal
2431 32nd St.

Santa Monica CA 90405
‐‐

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From: Kent Strumpell <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 1:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Ariana Vito
Subject: 10C: Zero emission building codes

EXTERNAL
Honorable Council Members,
Please support the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Codes It is clear that the climate crisis is accelerating dangerously and that the world is responding too slowly. The proposed Zero Emission Building and EV Charger codes are an opportunity for Santa Monica to continue our climate leadership, thereby encouraging other cities to join us in preventing the frightening consequences of continued fossil fuel dependence. At least 50 CA cities have already adopted similar policies.

Concerning costs
‐ The new codes will only affect new construction and major renovations. ‐ Experience in other CA jurisdictions has shown that building electrification actually saves money for customers on their energy bills.
‐ Electricity prices are more stable than natural gas (methane) prices.

Concerning safety and health
‐ Methane gas poses a risk of fires and explosions, especially during earthquakes. ‐ Gas appliances release toxic byproducts which result in serious long term health impacts.

Concerning climate change
‐ 30% of Santa Monica’s carbon emissions come from the use of methane gas in buildings. ‐ Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas prone to leaks during its production and distribution, making it nearly as destructive as the production and use of coal.

Thank you for considering this proposal and for your tireless work on City Council! Kent Strumpell
1211 Michigan Ave.

Santa Monica
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From: barry engelman <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 12:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica neds to pass Zero Emissions code

EXTERNAL
I appreciate everything you've done to make Santa Monica a leader in climate action. I'm writing today to express my strong support for the proposed Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Code.

San Diego just passed a plan to ban natural gas from all new construction starting in 2023 and all older buildings within 12 years!
https://grist.org/beacon/san‐diego‐plans‐to‐electrify‐almost‐every‐building/ If San Diego can do it we can do it also!
Thank you.

Barry Engelman
421 California Ave.

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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Judy Hopkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 7:12 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27 Meeting - Support for Item 10 C

Judy Hopkins
844 7th St. #7
SM 90403
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Jeanne Laurie <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2022 9:56 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27 Agenda Item 10 C, Zero Emission Building and EV Codes

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members:

I'm writing to express my strong support for the proposed updates to the Zero Emission Building and the EV Charger Codes.

Recent reports by the International Panel on Climate Change outlines all the risks ahead if we do not act. Many of these are becoming realities. Our current drought and the recent heat waves illustrate the point. We need action at all levels of government to achieve our climate goals. A very important climate solution is available to us today: electrify our energy uses, including for buildings and cars, and electrify quickly. Santa Monica has been a leader on addressing climate. These policy updates are another example of Santa Monica doing what needs to be done. I strongly urge you to vote in support of these updated building codes.

Jeanne Laurie
Sunset Park
Sent from Mail for Windows
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From: Janet Gollery McKeithen <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 8:51 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: September 27 meeting

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members‐
I'm writing to express my strong support for the proposed updates to the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Codes.

Stating the obvious, Climate Change is already affecting the planet and our lives greatly. It will only get worse if we don't make changes to our policies and to the way we live. We need personal actions and we need action at all levels of government to have any significant impact.

The majority of Santa Monica’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from our buildings and motor vehicles. Electrification of these sectors represents two of the most significant steps we can take to reduce our carbon emissions, improve public health We can make decisions today that will make a significant impact: electrify our energy uses, including for buildings and cars, and electrify quickly. ‐ Electrification is cost effective in Santa Monica's climate zone, both for upfront construction costs and lifetime operating expenses, so it is unlikely that it would add costs that would be passed on to tenants So, it is much more equitable that gas. These policy updates will help the city of Santa Monica keep in line with its sustainability values.. I strongly urge you to vote in support of these updated building codes.

Sincerely,
‐‐
Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen
Minister, Church in Ocean Park
President, Santa Monica Area Interfaith Council
Steering Committee, Committee for Racial Justice
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From: John Adler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 10:15 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 10 C

EXTERNAL
Hi,
I am writing to urge you to approve the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Code because they are reasonable efforts to help us live in a less self destructive manner.

Thanks,
John Adler
Resident of Santa Monica
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Amy R. Butte <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 11:00 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 10 C comment

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
I am a Santa Monica resident who has been dedicated to the issue of climate since I learned the science in 6th grade. 40 years later, and scientists and policymakers the world over have agreed to achieve net zero carbon emissions no later than 2050 to avoid effects way more catastrophic than we're already seeing. I have two teenagers and work with youth on climate, and I tell them not to be too afraid. As long as we all together work according to these timelines, we will remain under 2 degrees C of warming and things can be under control. We can manage that much through adaptation.

Building new buildings in 2023 that commit to 100 years of methane and carbon emissions and do not support carbon neutral vehicles would not be aligned with Santa Monica's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) nor with other international and national goals. The proposed update to the building code begins phasing out our City's two largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions‐‐ building energy and vehicles. Methane is extremely potent especially in the short term as a greenhouse gas and cannot remain in a climate neutral energy system. Induction stoves, heat pumps, and solar thermal are excellent alternatives to gas.

By voting yes to update our building code for new buildings or major renovations, Santa Monica would be joining the 58 cities in California alone to draw the line against fossil fuel development per the timelines of consensus. It is not radical to start with just new buildings per this code. It's a great way for our City to reinforce itself as a destination for active, sustainable lifestyle. It is also responsible policy for our citizens and the young people who predominantly feel their future is being robbed to maintain the status quo of fossil fuel interests.

Sincerely,
Amy Butte
Santa Monica, CA
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From: Dr Michael Cahn <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 12:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 10C adopting Local Amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Code

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members
I'm writing to express my strong support for the proposed updates to the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Codes. https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1323 Recent reports by the International Panel on Climate Change outlines all the risks ahead if we do not act. Many of these are becoming realities. Our current drought and the recent heat waves illustrate the point. We need action at all levels of government to achieve our climate goals. I strongly urge you to vote in support of these updated building codes.

Please consider to add the ability for water heaters not to operate during peak energy cost periods The proposed Zero Emission Building and EV Charger codes are an opportunity for Santa Monica to continue our climate leadership, thereby encouraging other cities to join us in preventing the frightening consequences of continued fossil fuel dependence. At least 50 CA cities have already adopted similar policies.

Sincerely,
‐‐
Dr Michael Cahn
507 Washington Ave
Santa Monica CA 90403
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Diane Forte <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 3:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: Joshua Public Affairs Torres; David White; Shannon Parry; Ariana Vito Subject: Letter of Support for Agenda Item 10 C - Reach Code

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Members of the City Council,
I am writing on behalf of Southern California Edison (SCE) regarding Agenda Item 10 C – Amending the Santa Monica Municipal Code and adopting Local Amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Code...” A reach code ordinance can be a very cost‐effective way for local governments to achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and help it achieve its climate and air quality goals. We strongly encourage the City of Santa Monica to adopt this reach code ordinance. SCE offers the following points in support of the ordinance:

1. Buildings are a major source of emissions in California.

2. Modern electric technologies are very efficient and often are demand response capable.

3. Studies1 have shown that the lifetime costs for all‐electric homes are either the same as or less expensive than mixed‐fuel homes for a large majority of Californians.

4. SCE is modernizing and hardening our distribution system, increasing reliability and resiliency – the grid is ready to support all electric buildings. Reliability is already excellent in Santa Monica through our partnership with the City.

5. Our efforts to strengthen the grid and add energy storage are paying off as evidenced by the State’s ability to avoid rolling blackouts in the most recent record heat wave.

And perhaps most importantly, in order to meet the State’s climate goals, our studies have shown that 70% of buildings need to be electrified as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND
Buildings are a major source of emissions in California – for both local air quality and greenhouse gases. Importantly, buildings have decades‐long lifespans, so when they are built with fossil fuel infrastructure, we are locking in multiple decades of additional fossil fuel emissions.

We are committed to serving the needs of California’s clean energy future, as outlined in our recent paper, Reimagining the Grid. This requires a grid that supports high levels of carbon‐free resources, integrates new technologies and services, and remains safe, reliable, affordable and resilient even as the climate continues to evolve. SCE is modernizing and hardening our distribution system, leveraging increasingly sophisticated hardware and software to manage a complex and intelligent grid. This will not only help enable greater adoption of clean energy technologies, but it will also improve general reliability while making the grid more resilient to threats exacerbated by climate change such as wildfires and heatwaves. We are investing approximately $5 billion annually to build a grid that customers can rely upon to support the clean energy future. Customer‐owned resources like rooftop solar and battery storage offer an additional level of resiliency. We estimate by 2045 about half of single‐family homes in our service territory will have some combination of solar and storage. Due to Title 24, all new residential construction will have solar and be energy storage ready, and most new commercial will also have solar. And more specifically, the reliability in Santa Monica is excellent as shown in its most recent reliability report (Page 7). Santa Monica 2022 Reliability Report Item 10.C
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2 Serving the electrical needs of an all‐electric building is not a significant concern compared to a mixed‐fuel building. We design the electric grid to accommodate peak demand, which in most areas is driven by air conditioning load. Studies have shown the peak demand from all‐electric neighborhoods is not significantly higher than the peak demand from mixed‐fuel neighborhoods. This is because modern electric technologies are very efficient and often are demand response capable, meaning they can avoid or minimize usage during on‐peak hours when stress on the grid is greatest.

All of this translates into all‐electric homes have a “flatter” electricity demand profile. So, while they consume more electricity overall, all‐electric homes place that demand on the grid more evenly throughout the day, which means we don’t need significant upgrades to the grid specifically for all‐electric buildings.

We appreciate many customers have concerns about rotating outages given the recent heat storm. The August 31‐ September 9, 2022 heat wave was twice as long as the August 2020 event. We set a new statewide peak demand record and were also simultaneously dealing with a tropical storm that reduced solar output, yet we did not have to implement rotating outages. Our efforts to strengthen the grid are paying off. With climate change, more extreme weather including intense and longer heat waves are expected in the coming decades. SCE, in partnership with state energy regulators, has been and will continue to work on a variety of solutions to address the region’s long‐term reliability needs. For example, compared to August 2020, SCE has increased the amount of utility‐scale energy storage by a factor of 22. We now have almost 1,400 megawatts of energy storage online, with hundreds more megawatts expected to come online in 2023 and even more in subsequent years.

All‐electric new construction is affordable to build and operate. There are many affordable, clean, efficient all‐electric options for water heating, space heating, clothes drying, and cooking, all of which can be powered by carbon‐free electricity. Even though fossil fuels are often less expensive per unit of energy than electricity, electric technologies are significantly more efficient, meaning the total cost to operate electric technologies is the same as or less expensive than combustion technologies to operate. Studies1 have shown that the lifetime costs for all‐electric homes are either the same as or less expensive than mixed‐fuel homes for a large majority of Californians. Although, in coastal communities, like Santa Monica, studies show a slight increase in cost for all‐electric construction. This is due to the baseline case not already having air conditioning, but then adding it through the installation of a heat pump HVAC. HVAC heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, which make them less expensive to install than a separate furnace and air conditioner, which is especially important for coastal communities trying to adapt to a warming climate.

CONCLUSION
SCE is excited to partner with the City of Santa Monica in addressing the climate crisis. Emissions from the building sector are important to address if we are to meet the City’s and State’s climate goals. We strongly urge the City Council to approve the reach code ordinance. We look forward to our continued partnership. The future is electric.

Sincerely,
Diane Forte
Government Relations Manager
SCE Corporate Affairs
310.310.5262
1721 22nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
[email protected] | @SCE_DianeF
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3 Attachments:

Reliability FAQ
Santa Monica 2022 Reliability Report
1Energy + Environmental Economics (E3), Residential Building Electrification in California, 2019 Item 10.C
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Marilyn <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2022 4:51 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: support for Item 10C,

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I am writing in support of the proposed "Zero Emission Building" and "EV Charger” codes, which I understand you will consider on Sept. 27. Santa Monica’s biggest contributors to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are from buildings and transportation, both of which are addressed in these well-conceived code changes. Following are some of the many reasons I urge the Commission to support these changes:

Zero Emission Building code:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has repeatedly advised that we must act soon to reduce GHG’s from the burning of all fossil fuels, but especially of natural gas. The proposed building code changes will require almost all new construction in the City to be fully electric. Since most of our City’s electricity comes from non-fossil fuel sources, this new code will power all new building with sustainable sources like wind and solar power. Since the new code will apply only to new construction, all existing commercial kitchens, businesses and homes currently using natural gas will not be unfairly penalized.

EV Charger code:

This code will make ownership of electric vehicles much more realistic for apartment dwellers and for employees commuting from outside of Santa Monica. Since we recently bought an EV and also own our single family home, we were fortunate enough to be able to install our own charger adjacent to our driveway. However, nearby friends occasionally ask to use our charger because they live in an apartment with no EV charger. This code will make the purchase of an EV much more achievable for the vast majority of Santa Monica residents.

Thank you for remembering my comments when you consider these two code changes.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Judson
850 Princeton St.

Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-453-1892 (home)
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September 26, 2022
Mayor Himmerlrich and City Council Members
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
RE: Item 10C - Zero Emission and EV Charger Reach Codes - Support Dear Mayor Himmelrich and Members of the City Council,
As a local organization committed to improving public health and confronting the climate crisis, we support the proposed Zero Emission Building Code for New Construction and the EV Charger Reach Code.

At least 60 communities across California have recognized all-electric new construction as a cost effective and socially equitable way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect public health, and lower construction costs.

We approve of the approach taken in the proposed building code, to require electrification for nearly all building types, with a requirement that that any building installing gas appliances be electric ready to reduce the cost of future upgrades.

We especially appreciate the inclusion of property meeting the definition of demolition, and not just ground-up construction. By including these substantial remodels, the new electric-only construction requirement will have a much larger impact and building owners and residents will save money by avoiding the costs of future retrofits.

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California. The solution is a mix of safe and accessible public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets, and electric vehicles. As California phases out the sale of gasoline-powered cars, Santa Monica’s proposed EV charging reach code will make it easier for renters and commuters to make the transition to electric cars.

Sincerely,
Michael Rochmes
Green Buildings Committee Chair,
Climate Reality Project, Los Angeles Chapter
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From: Scott Morris <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2022 7:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support for Item 10C - September 27 meeting: Zero Emission Building and EV Codes

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members:

On behalf of The Low Carbon Initiative, I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed updates to the Zero Emission Building and the EV Charger Codes.

With over 50 California cities enacting all-electric codes, it's a natural next step that the City of Santa Monica is next.

Sincerely,
Scott Morris
‐‐ To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Scott Morris
Zero Can't Wait
lowcarboninitiative.org
818‐854‐2663
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Memo
To: City of Santa Monica City Council and City Manager’s Office From: Dean Kubani, Chair,Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment
Signature:

Date: August 16, 2022
Re: City of Santa Monica Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment MotionRegarding Zero Emissions Building Code and Electric Vehicle Reach Code
At the August 15, 2022 special meeting, the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment discussed and took action on the following agenda item:

Presentation on the Zero Emissions Building Reach Code and Electric Vehicle Reach Code
i) Ariana Vito (Sustainability Analyst) presented on the Zero Emission Building Code (SMMC 8.38) which prohibits fuel gas infrastructure in new buildings and major renovations that trigger City’s definition of demolition (>50% demo). Exemptions by request for equipment for Medical/Scientific/Lab use, as well as restaurants and commercial kitchens.
ii) Ariana also presented on the Electric Vehicle Reach Code to require electric vehicle charging infrastructure in new construction.

After discussion, the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment made the following motion:

The Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment recommends that Council adopt the proposed local amendments to the:
• 2022 California Energy Code (Zero Emission Building Code/gas ban for all new construction); and
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• 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (increased EV charging requirements for all new construction).

The motion was made by Member Lempert and seconded by Member Baghdasarian.

The motion was approved by the following roll call vote:

Ayes: Chair Kubani
Member Baghdasarian
Member Tower
Member Lempert
Noes: None
Abstain: None

Absent: Member Sokol
Member Pettit
Member Mearns
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1 Vernice Hankins
From: Cris Gutierrez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2022 10:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete
Cc: David White
Subject: 9/27 City Council Agenda Item 10 C: Zero Emissions Building and EV Codes

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica Mayor Himmelrich and City Council Members:

I write to urge you to approve the proposed Zero Emission Building (ZEB) and updated Electric Vehicles (EV) codes. Imperative, practical, responsible updates to our Santa Monica Municipal Code, the ZEB and EV requirements will direct new construction and electrification infrastructure, which will stand for generations to come, freeing us from a dependence on fossil fuels, the burning of which has destabilized the climate, threatening daily living and livelihoods and devastating natural ecosystems.

Even in our beautiful city tucked into the Santa Monica Bay, we have been experiencing extreme heat and severe drought. Wildfires burst forth frequently year-round. Air quality worsens. Too soon, tides will extend and erode our sandy beaches. Food supplies can become more uncertain. We know that we must continue to reduce Santa Monica’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thirty percent of our local GHG emissions come from the use of methane gas in buildings and 64% from transportation: electrification is urgent.

Technological advancements, a growing workforce capacity and smart investments enable us to meet the goals set forth in our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and the state’s AB 3232 law that has set the stage for reducing carbon emissions, by 2030, 40% below 1990 levels from California’s residential and commercial buildings. We need the ZEB and updated EV codes to achieve these climate goals.

Currently, relying on methane also means there are methane leaks during both production and distribution. An intense GHG, methane is toxic and destructive, measurably as bad as the production and use of coal. Efforts to cap methane leaks in our city have been important. Eliminating the ongoing use of methane advances public health. Indoor air quality can also improve.

The proposed ZEB and EV ordinance to amend the Municipal Code would facilitate the construction of all-electric buildings and homes for residents, workers, students and visitors to enjoy a climate- resilient and safe future with efficiency and economy. By requiring the elimination of fossil gas infrastructure as the norm, Santa Monica’s decadeslong leadership in sustainability helps to set a new standard, with scores of like-minded Californian cities.

Following our City Sustainability Plan and ground-breaking Sustainability Rights Ordinance, established with the bold vision and hard work of the City and community— including young people’s dedicated engagement and aspirations— you now, as our council leaders, can affirm our determination to help create a vibrant future.

Have confidence in approving the ZEB and EV codes before you. I trust that you will.

With respect,
Ms. Cris Gutierrez
Santa Monica resident
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September 27, 2022
Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
Clean Power Alliance (CPA), the Community Choice Aggregator for Santa Monica and 31 other communities in Southern California, writes in support of the proposed zero-emission building reach code and the proposed EV charger reach code in new construction (Item 10C). This proposal will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and should have negligible impacts on both affordability and grid reliability for Santa Monica customers.

California is on a rapid pathway towards zero-emissions buildings and vehicles. In August 2021, the California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6) and the Building Decarbonization Assessment. The Building Decarbonization Assessment made clear that California must urgently implement a plan to cut pollution from homes and buildings through aggressive electrification of new and existing buildings to achieve the state’s new 2035 carbon neutral goal. In August 2022, the state passed a regulation that would ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars beginning in 2035. The proposed Santa Monica ordinance is aligned with both goals and allows Santa Monica to take a leadership role on these state initiatives, without sacrificing customer affordability, or grid reliability.

Reliability: Clean Power Alliance has taken an active role to ensure that that there will be a reliable and clean source of electricity to power the state’s transition to a decarbonized future.

To date, CPA has procured 1,915 megawatts of renewable energy and 1,027 megawatts of storage, which has reduced more than one million tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while improving system reliability. This has made CPA the third largest purchaser of battery storage in the state and helps ensure reliability for CPA customers even when the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing. In addition to adding new resources onto the grid, CPA is part of the state-wide effort to encourage customers to use more energy at “off-peak” or low demand times, and less energy at “on-peak” or high demand times. This will help flatten electricity demand and reduce major energy spikes.

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Affordability: Zero-emissions buildings are affordable to build, outfit, and operate. All-electric homes are cheaper to build1 than gas-heated buildings, saving between $1,500 to $6,000 in construction costs. Rebates for electric building appliances help bring down the costs of supplying a building with technologies that are powered by electricity. Most recently, in August 2022, the state approved the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program, which will create a statewide incentive program for lowcarbon building technologies, which can be used to bring down costs of technologies like electric heat pumps, space and water heaters, and other efficient electric technologies. CPA also has a number of programs to assist low-income customers with paying their electricity bills, providing subsidies of over $10 million since the onset of Covid-19.

Green House Gas Emissions: CPA is proud to provide most electricity customers in the City of Santa Monica with 100% renewable energy that does not contribute to dirty air or to GHG emissions that exacerbate climate change. Typically, an all-electric building produces about 30-60% the GHG emissions as a mixed-fuel use building2
. In Santa Monica however, emissions from all-electric buildings would be closer to 100% greenhouse gas free because over 90% of the city’s residents and businesses receive 100% renewable energy through Clean Power Alliance.

The buildings we construct today will last for decades to come, and building them with fossil fuel infrastructure locks in decades of additional fossil fuel emissions. Local cities and counties therefore have an important role in ensuring that they are built to a standard that helps the state meet its goals around clean air, climate change, health and more. That is why we urge the City of Santa Monica to approve the proposed ordinance. CPA looks forward with continuing to partner with the city to achieve their clean energy goals.

Sincerely,
Gina Goodhill
Director, Government Affairs
Clean Power Alliance
1 Synapse Energy, “Decarbonization of Heating Energy Use in California Buildings” https://www.synapseenergy.com/sites/default/files/Decarbonization-Heating-CA-Buildings-17-092-1.pdf 2 Ethree, “Residential Building Electrification in California https://www.ethree.com/wpcontent/uploads/2019/04/E3_Residential_Building_Electrification_in_California_April _2019.pdf
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THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SANTA MONICA
P.O. Box 1265 Santa Monica, CA 90406-1265
Phone: 310.394.4661 www.lwvsantamonica.org
#MakingDemocracyWork
September 27, 2022
Re: City Council Agenda Item 10.C.

Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, and City Councilmembers The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica urges the Santa Monica City Council to support the amendments to the Zero Emission Building Code and the EV Charger Reach Codes 2022 in the California Green Building Standards Code, as outlined in the September 27, 2022 City Council Agenda Item 10c staff report.

Recent reports by the International Panel on Climate Change outline the risks ahead if we do not act. Many are already becoming realities. Our current drought and the recent heat waves illustrate the point.

A very important climate solution is available to us today: electrify our energy uses, including for buildings and cars, and electrify quickly.

Santa Monica has been a leader on addressing climate-related issues. These policy updates are another example of Santa Monica doing what needs to be done. We strongly urge you to vote in support of these updated building codes.

Restricting gas in new construction will lower greenhouse gases. 30% of Santa Monica’s carbon emissions come from the use of methane gas in buildings. The leakage of methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) during its production and distribution makes it almost as destructive as the production and use of coal.

And increasing the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities will accelerate the adoption of EVs. 64% of Santa Monica’s carbon emissions come from vehicle transportation, predominantly private cars.

Our recommendation is based on the following policy positions of the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC).

The LWVUS supports the preservation of “the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem, with maximum protection of public health and the environment.” Further, it supports “environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of renewable resources.” The LWVUS promotes “measures to reduce pollution from mobile and secondary sources.” The LWVC promotes “policies that mitigate impacts of climate change by adaptation in urban, rural, agricultural and natural settings.” Also, “Local governments should promote energy conservation, especially in relation to building codes…” For these reasons, we support the approval of the amendment to the City Building Codes as outlined in September 27, 2022 Agenda Item 10c.

Thank you,
Barbara Inatsugu
President of Record / Leadership Team
League of Women Voters of Santa Monica

OFFICERS
Co-Presidents
Barbara Inatsugu
Angela Scott
Vice President,
Program
Barbara Inatsugu
Vice President, Admin
Angela Scott
Secretary
Sharon Hart
Treasurer
Karen Carrey

DIRECTORS
Cathie Gentile
Karen S. Gunn
Jackie Pepper
Ann Williams
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Santa Monica City CouncilSeptember 27, 2022

Santa Monica City Council
September 27, 2022