By Melissa Yu
At 7:30 PM on Monday, July 20th, the Piedmont City Council will consider the first reading of an ordinance implementing reach codes — amendments to the state's Building Energy Efficiency Standards and Electrical Code that are designed to promote efficient building methods for home. All Alameda County residents are urged to join this virtual public meeting to give public comment in support of this electrification ordinance. Building electrification is an essential strategy to curb climate and air pollution.
City staff is recommending three policies, which we support:
- Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings, including new detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), must use all electric building appliances;
- Projects proposing an entire new upper level on a low-rise residential building, or that increase a low-rise residential building’s total roof area by 30% or more, are required to install solar panels on their roofs; and
- A housing renovation on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more will require the applicant to include one item from a list of energy efficient insulation or electrification fixes.
This meeting will take place virtually via Zoom. RSVP here for talking points and instructions on joining the video conference. The agenda will be posted here 72 hours before the meeting. For more information contact Melissa Yu at melissa.yu@sierraclub.org.