The Town of Marin County Civil Grand Jury Corte Madera*

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 has not been implemented yet and may be implemented in the future. The Town of Corte Madera is undertaking an analysis of a potential all-electric reach code that will include public community engagement and input on the topic. This includes analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, economic/financial impacts, social equity, and resiliency. This analysis will be applied to a variety of building types, including single family and multi-family residential, accessory dwelling units, and various commercial building types. The Town is working with the newly formed Town of Corte Madera Climate Action Committee, Neighboring County jurisdictions through a Countywide Technical Working Group focused on electrification and MCE Clean Energy as part of the Green Building Reach Codes Steering Committee to develop model reach codes and try to provide consistency across jurisdictions. However, there are significant differences amongst jurisdictions in terms of building stock and development as well as affordable housing and economic development goals 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.

R2

will not be implemented Recommendations numbered because they are not warranted or are not reasonable. (Attach an explanation.) Signed: Trad Date: 10/03/2022 Number of pages attached 3 RESPONSE OF THE TOWN OF CORTE MADERA TO GRAND JURY REPORT "ELECTRIFYING MARIN'S BUILDINGS: A COUNTYWIDE APPROACH"

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: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. We are committed to participating in a countywide implementation plan, and if other jurisdictions participate, our intent is to complete a plan by January 1, 2024. We agree that countywide collaboration is important in achieving significant timely reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from Marin County's building sector and should address all these factors. Collaboration is already underway through the Marin Climate and Energy Partnership (MCEP), County Sustainability Team, and Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). In addition, The Town created a Climate Action Committee to consider and formulate strategic planning for such initiatives as well as a new in house position, a Climate Action Coordinator to assist the Town with analysis and implementation with efforts in this respect. Town of Corte Madera staff have been working with fellow jurisdictions in the County through a Technical Working Group and will continue to refine a uniform and consistent plan towards building electrification in collaboration with MCE Clean Energy to align Green Building Reach Codes this year and accelerate building decarbonization efforts. A Countywide Building Electrification Plan may be effective and efficient, but care will need to be taken to not divert from existing programs and activities. All jurisdictions would need to agree and contribute to the plan, it would require additional resources, and our utility partners MCE and PG&E would need to participate and contribute to the effort as well. Though discussions are happening at this date no agreement has been made. More analysis will be required to determine the most effective and efficient route to take. Should all the jurisdictions agree to pursue a Countywide Building Electrification Plan in addition to the current collaborative efforts, the Town would participate provided there was commitment to implementation and there were adequate resources to do so.