Call for Local Action on Zero-Emission Homes and Buildings

April 29, 2019
 
Subject: Californians Support Local Action to Create Zero-Emission Homes and Buildings
 
California is ground zero for climate change. Our residents are experiencing unprecedented health and economic damages from wildfires, heat waves, and droughts. The same fossil fuels causing climate change are also disproportionately burdening low-income communities and communities of color with some of the most polluted air in the nation.
 
As leaders representing millions of Californians who are ready for healthy, clean air solutions, we are voicing our support for local governments to curb pollution by reducing and eliminating gas combustion in our homes and commercial buildings.
 
Capitalizing on California’s commitment to 100% clean electricity by transitioning to non-polluting, efficient electric appliances will protect public health, reduce air pollution, increase housing supply and affordability, and enable California to achieve its zero-carbon commitments by 2045 while continuing its national climate leadership.
 
To enable faster and broader action at the state level, we call for city and counties to take robust action to accelerate the transition to zero-emissions homes and buildings.
 
Local governments should consider action that:

• Translates into immediate public health benefits, especially in communities hardest hit by indoor and outdoor air pollution;
• Ensures that in the transition to healthy homes and buildings, low-income communities who spend a much higher percentage of their income on energy bills, are protected and prioritized, through community engagement and anti-displacement policies and programs designed to offset any additional equipment and energy costs, such as energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits;
• Allows new homes and buildings to be built more quickly and affordably by eliminating the need for gas hookups and infrastructure, while also saving building owners and renters money on their energy bills;
• Spurs the economy through innovation and investment in clean heating technologies;
• Creates career pathways for skilled and trained workers by ensuring that building decarbonization is done through program requirements and project structures, such as community benefit agreements, which ensure a highly skilled and trained workforce paid family-sustaining wages with ample opportunities for disadvantaged community members, veterans, and local hiring;
• Supports a just transition for fossil-fuel workers and for communities impacted by this energy transition that ensures financial support, re-training, job placement and opportunities for employment with family-sustaining wages at a level they had in their unionized fossil fuel work;
• Combats climate change by reducing emissions from burning gas.

 
Addressing the challenges of climate change and air pollution effectively and equitably depends on local action. By voicing our support, we hope to embolden local regulators, city councils and other decision-makers to demonstrate leadership that creates healthy, safe and thriving communities.
 
Sincerely,
 
Panama Bartholomy, Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition
Kevin Hamilton, CEO, Central California Asthma Collaborative
Jose G. Torres, Energy Equity Program Manager, California Environmental Justice Alliance
Robert M. Gould, MD, President, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Physicians for Social Responsibility
Jen Kropke, Director of Environmental and Workforce Engagement for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union Eleven
Nick Dirr, Director of Programs, Association for Energy Affordability
Rachel Golden, Senior Campaign Representative, Sierra Club, My Generation campaign
Pierre Delforge, Senior Scientist, Climate & Clean Energy Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Michael Colvin, Senior Manager, California Energy Market Policy & Regulation, Environmental Defense Fund
Matt Vespa, Staff Attorney, Clean Energy, Earthjustice
Kirsten Heaton, South Bay (San Jose) Team Coordinator, Mother’s Out Front
Alexandra Nagy, Southern California Organizer, Food & Water Watch
Laura Neish, Executive Director, 350 Bay Area
Mary Kay Benson, Manager Steering Committee, 350 Chico
Ken Jones, Steering Committee, 350 Marin
Sigrid Wright, CEO/Executive Director, Community Environmental Council
Sophie Wolfram, Director of Programs, Climate Action Campaign
Kirsten James, Director, California Policy and Partnerships, Ceres
Andy Wunder, Western States Advocate, E2 Environmental Entrepreneurs
D’Lynda Fischer, Petaluma City Council Member
Sven Thesen, Founder, ProjectGreenHome.org

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