In a major victory for climate and air quality, the city of Santa Barbara voted today to phase out gas appliances in new homes and buildings in favor of clean electric alternatives that can run on 100% renewable energy. Santa Barbara is the 47th California city in just two years to require or incentivize all-electric construction — a move that cuts climate pollution, improves air quality in homes, and lowers building costs.
The city council voted to approve the policy in spite of a months-long disinformation campaign targeting Santa Barbara residents aimed at keeping polluting gas in homes. In December of last year, the SoCalGas affiliated group Californians for Balanced Energy Solutions launched a spam text campaign targeting thousands of Santa Barbara residents with misleading and false information in an attempt to derail the proposed ordinance. Fortunately, policymakers persisted and moved forward with the policy.
Advocates hope that Santa Barbara’s successful vote today will inspire Southern California cities that are considering policies — including the city of Ventura, Ventura County, and Oxnard — to move forward with their policies.
In response, members of a coalition supporting the building ordinance released the following statements:
“This is a win-win for Santa Barbara! Buildings currently are responsible for 40% of Santa Barbara’s greenhouse gas emissions, and much of that comes from burning natural gas,'' said Katie Davis, Chair of the Sierra Club Los Padres Chapter. “Santa Barbara is now firmly on the road to powering buildings with 100% renewable energy, eliminating this pollution -- and making homes more affordable and healthier to live in.”
"All-electric buildings are less expensive to build, safer to live in, and can be powered by 100% renewable energy," said Michael Chiacos, Director of Energy and Climate Programs at Community Environmental Council. "We applaud the City of Santa Barbara for taking this important step toward becoming a Zero Carbon community and reaching their goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035."
“Rapid conversion to electric appliances is essential for replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy as quickly as possible,” said Craig Lewis, Executive Director of the Clean Coalition, a Santa Barbara based nonprofit focused on accelerating the transition to renewable energy and a modern grid. "Renewables increasingly dominate electricity generation and are making great strides in transportation, via electric vehicles. Electrifying the built-environment is the biggest remaining opportunity.”
“SoCalGas is doubling the size and power of a compressor station which they admit is for the sole purpose of expanding the La Goleta Storage Facility. The compressor is across the street from an elementary school and leaked toxic gas into the community for over 3 hours on July 3, 2021. If Santa Barbara passes this ordinance and reduces the need for gas, they will save lives and health in Goleta and Ventura both,” said Liz Campos, Westside Community Council Ventura
“I have had respiratory issues since I was young, and I am very sensitive whenever any of my eight housemates are cooking anything in our kitchen on the gas stove and sometimes need to leave the house,” said Nadia Lee Abushanab, Advocacy and Events Director with the Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN). “I wish I could put an induction stove in my house, but as a renter it is not an option for me. passing this ordinance will help protect the health of future Santa Barbara residents by keeping natural gas out of their homes for renters and children who do not have control over the appliances in their homes.”
“The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara has acknowledged that Climate Change is a permanent emergency and one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by electrification of all our buildings,” said Vijaya Jammalamadaka President of League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara. “We commend the City of Santa Barbara for drafting this ordinance and for joining many other cities to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.”
July 20, 2021 Santa Barbara City Council meets to unanimously adopt an ordinance prohibiting gas in new construction. Santa Barbara also plans to launch a community choice energy with 100% carbon-free electricity this year that can be used to provide clean power new electric buildings. New buildings are also required to include solar, further reducing electricity costs for consumers.