CARB must
pursue a much more ambitious approach to decarbonization, in line
with Governor Newsom’s request to accelerate California's
climate action timeline to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
The proposed Alternative 3 is simply too little too late and
perpetuates our reliance on fossil fuels and the danger they pose
to our health and environment. There are proven, realistic
alternatives using zero carbon renewable energy that can be used
today to decarbonize buildings without any new technology or
additional fossil gas infrastructure. Research for the
CEC indicates that building electrification is likely to be the
lowest cost and lowest risk option for decarbonizing
California’s building sector. So lets start:
1.
Accelerate the phase-out of gas
appliances
All
commercial and residential new construction should be all-electric
in 2026 to align with the next Title 24 code cycle.
Accelerate
the phase-out of new fossil-fueled appliances by requiring existing
residential and commercial appliance sales be 80% electric by 2025
and 100% by 2030.
2. Ensure a
full decommissioning of the gas distribution system by
2045
CARB must
include explicit planning for this in the 2022 Scoping
Plan
3. Prioritize
an equitable transition for vulnerable
neighborhoods
Scoping Plan Appendix D is a good start but must go
further. Look to the BEEP suggestions for a broader and
deeper approach.
We don't
have another 10 years to slowly roll out programs that can be put
in place today.
Thank you