We need to catch up. There are already 55 cities and counties that have made the switch, including Santa Barbara, and Ojai. (https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2021/07/californias-cities-lead-way-pollution-free-homes-and-buildings)
The City of Ventura will be hearing an educational presentation about building electrification at their Monday, June 13th city council meeting at 6 PM from Ventura Climate Coalition. This is the City’s first step in seeking information about an all-electric building ordinance for new construction, and we need your support in telling the council to move forward on Agenda Item 4B.
If you can please attend, make public comment, and/or email the council atcityclerk@cityofventura.ca.gov ahead of the meeting! There are virtual and in-person participation options. Here is the meeting agenda: _06132022-2736 (ca.gov)
Here are some talking points for building electrification to help build your comments:
Here’s a video from Sacramento’s community-owned, non-profit electric utility!
- Fossil fuels, like natural gas found in commercial and residential buildings, are incompatible with the State’s goal of carbon neutrality. Buildings contribute to 24% of California greenhouse gas emissions, and much of that comes from burning natural gas.
- Lowers the average household energy bill by $4,000–$10,000 over 20 years;
- Reduces the cost of single-family home construction by $6,000, and the cost of multifamily apartment building construction by roughly $1,500 per unit;
- Creates roughly 100,000 new jobs in construction, HVAC installation, electrical work, energy efficiency, and load-management services;
- Improves public health by reducing combustion pollution that causes asthma and respiratory diseases; and,
- Makes our communities safer by eliminating the risk of fires and explosions caused by gas leaks, particularly after earthquakes.
- Renters may not have control of the appliances in their home and therefore not have agency over experiencing the health impacts mentioned here today. It is also important to pass a reach code so that all Ventura residents can have the benefits of electrification, particularly those most impacted by climate change and burdened by pollution. There is also momentum in multi-family projects moving to all-electric.
Want more information? Ventura County Climate HUB has a great article: 30 Reasons to Make New Buildings All-Electric.
Cities of Fillmore, Santa Paula and Port Hueneme-It’s Time to Join Clean Power Alliance
Residents of Fillmore, Santa Paula and Port Hueneme, urge your city councils to vote YES to do a Clean Power Alliance feasibility study towards 100% renewable electricity for all ratepayers.
Tuesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m.
250 Central Ave., Fillmore
Fillmore residents can attend the in-person city council meeting or send a short email to council members by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.
Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m.
970 Ventura St., Santa Paula
Santa Paula residents can attend the in-person city council meeting (agenda will post soon) or send a short email to council members by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15.
Monday, June 20,6:30 p.m.
Email ALL Council Members this week and attend the next meeting and speak in Open Comment.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 