Electrifying Marin's Buildings: a Countywide Approach

R1

On or before January 1, 2023, Marin County and each of its cities and towns that have not already done so should adopt a reach code banning natural gas connections in newly constructed buildings. Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. It is important to note there are several variables not discussed in the Report and that require further analysis. Some ofthese variables include supply chain issues that are causing a shortage - o� delay in electrical equipment; there are a shortage of technical experts to manage the increasing demands for electrification; unknown adoption costs; a lack of clarity for what is needed to limit the impact to existing equipment; and triggers for when existing construction requires replacement. Town staff are working with the County of Marin and neighboring cities to develop model reach codes and to try to provide consistency across jurisdictions. However, there are significant differences amongst jurisdictions in terms of building stock and development that require different considerations. The Town Council will consider a reach code ordinance later this fall and if adopted it would go into effect January 1, 2023.

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 i:ounty. Response: This recommendation requires further analysis. Town. staff currently serve as a member of the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), and the Town is cautiously 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 1, 2024. MCEP may be well-positioned to develop a Countywide Building Electrification Plan as it has been working on a similar Countywide EV Acceleration Strategy that indudes 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. While developing and implementing a Countywide Building Electrification Plan may be an effective model, and there may be a solid foundation (e.g., existence of MCEP} from which to build such a plan, there would need to be agreement by all jurisdictions to agree and contribute to the plan. There would need to be adequate resources available to implement the plan. In addition� utility partners that serve Marin County such as MCE and PG&E, would need to '"� 1 ,·:/partidpate;'ana contribute to the effort. ''"