Marin County Grand Jury • 2024-2025 • Agency Response
Response to: Cyberattacks: A Growing Threat to Marin Government

T OWN of Council Member SAN Anselmo EST . 1907 Town of San Anselmo

Published: August 23, 2022 6 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 4 findings

F3
The use of natural gas in buildings gives rise to health and safety risks, including adverse health effects attributed to exposure to natural gas, and safety risks posed by pipeline leaks, ruptures, and explosions. These health and safety risks serve as additional reasons to eliminate natural gas as a fuel source in new and existing building. Response: Agree.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Marin County and each of its cities and towns, collaborating through the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership or otherwise, should develop a comprehensive Countywide Building Electrification Plan to be completed on or before January 1, 2024. The Plan should identify those strategies, programs, and concrete actions necessary to bring about an equitable, prompt, and material acceleration of building electrification throughout the county. Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. Town staff currently serve as a member of the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP). While we can only respond on behalf of the Town of San Anselmo, we are supportive of having MCEP, the County Sustainability team, or another entity lead such an effort to develop a comprehensive Countywide Building Electrification Plan to be completed on or before January I, 2024. With new construction and remodels addressed by the County's current model reach code development (discussed in the prior response to Recommendation R2), this Countywide Building Electrification Plan should focus on strategies, programs, and actions for electrifying the existing building stock in an equitable and timely fashion, and set a goal for complete electrification of all buildings in Marin as discussed in the Grand Jury report. MCEP is well-positioned to develop a Countywide Building Electrification Plan as it has been working on a similar Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy that includes strategies for accelerating the adoption of EVs that can be utilized by Marin jurisdictions. The funding for this Strategy was provided by the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM). MCEP members could seek out sources of local, regional, and state funding for the development of a Countywide Building Electrification Plan, if needed. If agreed upon by other MCEP members, the Countywide Building Electrification Plan could be added to its FY 2022-23 initiatives. Additionally, the Town will need to evaluate the best use of its staff resources to maximize progress towards its Climate Action Plan goals. If staff time is devoted to the development of a Countywide Building Electrification Plan, then other projects and programs may have to be delayed. The Town will need to consider the costs and benefits of the potential Plan relative to these other measures to determine the best course of action. Once the 2022 Green Building Code update is complete , the Town will consider the most effective next steps toward building electrification and will continue our collaboration with other Marin jurisdictions. The Town of San Anselmo Town Council reviewed and approved this response on August 23, 2022, at a duly noticed and agendized public meeting. If you have further questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, -cj�J�- AleXiS Fineman Mayor Response to Grand Jury Report Report Title: Electrifying Marin's Buildings; A Countywide Approach Respondent/Agency Name: San Anselmo Town Council
F4
The timely reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from Marin County's building sector will require in-depth, comprehensive, and coordinated planning. A countywide planning process, coordinated by Marin Climate and Energy Partnership or the county's Sustainability Team, would be an effective and efficient means of sustaining focus and leveraging the resources needed for developing a Countywide Building Electrification Plan. Response: Agree.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Underserved communities and lower income households have greater vulnerability to rising energy costs and will likely require extra financial support to mitigate those costs and reduce household greenhouse gas emissions through measures that require significant up-front investment. Response: Agree.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The timely electrification of existing buildings will likely require one or more mandatory measures, supported where necessary by financial subsidies and rebates. Response: Agree. For San Anselmo to meet its 2030 GHG reduction goal, mandatory measures will be required to support building electrification with financial incentives provided to support this transition, particularly for low-income residents. San Anselmo has already begun this process through the adoption of Ordinance No. 1165 on June 28, 2022 that requires all newly constructed residential buildings to be all-electric starting July 28, 2022. The Town will continue to pursue such measures, as needed, to achieve its 2030 GHG reduction goal.
No recommendations for this finding