All-electric potential for new buildings
CHICO >> Like many California cities, Chico staff are weighing the possibility of requiring all new construction to be built 100% electric, to begin electrification under new statewide goals to reduce emissions and reach carbon neutrality.
The city’s Climate Action Plan update consultant, Ryan Gardner of Rincon Consultants presented pros and cons of building allelectric in a Climate Action Commission workshop Thursday.
Chico Community Development Director Brendon
Vieg said the Climate Action Plan update has been going on for over a year and now considerations for joining the state’s goals for electrification is “a hot topic” given potential local ramifications.
In Chico, since 2005, emissions decreased 27% overall, and by 42% per person despite a large population increase, according to Gardner. However, commercial and residential gas usage has continued to climb. Transportation fuels plus natural gas and electricity consumption are the two highest sources of emissions statewide.
Although the state is working on new codes for 2022 based on Senate Bill 100’s goal for carbon neutrality by 2045, Gardner said many cities have moved forward anyway, and 42 cities in California already have
electrification ordinances or “reach codes.” While Chico has not yet added one to the Climate Action Plan, the commission is considering the potential results of creating one to reduce emissions in all new construction.
Gardner demonstrated how “pretty significant” cost savings can be found in building all new construction for 100% electricity, based on Chico’s climate zone.
“They are less expensive to build and less expensive to live in,” he said of buildings which are built to limit new natural gas infrastructure and reduce lifetime costs. All-electric new buildings have been found to lower costs, improve public health and enhance building safety.
Local results
To demonstrate “how the numbers play out in Chico,” Chuck Tatreau of Tatreau Construction was asked to explain how building allelectric worked out for him in Chico.
Tatreau built Skyline Apartments off Bruce Road as a multifamily complex with over 100 units in California Park. When he found out he had to delay connecting gas to the property, he decided to go ahead “feet first” and learn building allelectric.
He was surprised how great the savings total turned out to be — saving between $85,000 to $100,000 for not running a new gas line, with no cost for locating gas meters on buildings, reduced Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards requirements, and the same cost for heating, ventilation and air conditioning installations. Residents at the complex now have an average PG&E bill of $30 a month thanks to his construction choice.
Tatreau has built many homes in Chico by now and normally, he said, “I don’t like change; I’m scared of the unknown.”
“I never thought I’d be standing on a soapbox saying this is a good thing, but it really is,” he added.
He recommended to always start with the right architect and Title 24 team.
PG&E representative Hannah Kaye added PG&E supports all electric construction that is cost effective and feasible for customers.
“It’s good for affordability,” she said.
“PG&E does welcome the opportunity to not install new gas infrastructure,” as expanding the current system incurs costs often needing reimbursements from customers, she added.
Kaye said some customers may wonder if the current grid can handle moving to all-electric new construction, but “PG&E is always forecasting potential new load.”
“We’re working with the customer and developer early on in their build to figure what they’re going to need.”
Gardner added the presentations were designed to demonstrate how work towards electrification is currently focused on new construction, not about the feasibility of costly retrofits of old buildings, at this time.
Resident Joshua Pierce said during public comments that while considering these options, he hopes the Climate Action Plan considers that not all construction in the city can use solar as an option, and if a local reach code is written, that it includes accommodations for when going all-electric is not feasible or when the cost or availability of technology is a problem.
Commissioner Kirk Monofort said he was worried Chico suppliers may not have the materials needed for this construction, but was assured by Gardner and Kaye the market has been aware of these changes for years and are prepared with materials.
“It’s not that hard,” Gardner said. “People are going to figure it out.”
“I think the market is going to be able to handle it,” Vice Chair Mark Stemen added, saying he thinks for years the move to electrification has been a “clear direction, by where the data is going.”
“I recognize it’s new to you, but it’s not new to them.”
PG&E contractor trainings on building all-electric are available to view online, and the Climate Action Commission workshop was recorded and uploaded to the city website for Chico residents to reference.