AgdaPkt 2019-09-23 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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CLK-Pamela Aguilar From: ROLAND KURZ <roland422@comcast.net> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2019 8:20 AM To: GRP -City Council Subject: Energy Reach Codes being presented at 9/23/2019 council meeting Attachments: PBE Reach Letter.pdf RE: California Energy Code Reach Codes It has been brought to my attention that the city of Redwood City is thinking of increasing the requirements to the California Energy Code. It is a shame that this City Council meeting was not more widely published, so that those who will be greatly affected by these additional and unreasonable requirements can have a voice. Per the California Energy Commissions own figures the new 2019 Energy Code will already decrease the energy consumption of new houses up to 50% more than that of the 2016 California Energy Code. I find it troubling that the people who are advocating for these additional electrification requirements are the same people that my utility bill is paid to. Solar electric systems cost anywhere from at the lowest of $12,000 and will more likely be in the range of $23,000 - $30,000 based on the size of the system, this is without batteries. You will need to add an additional $10,000 per battery if they are wanted and or needed. Since most people are at home in the evening your solar electric system will not be producing for you when you are at home. There for you will need to be drawing down from the utility grid at night if you do not have batteries. If you have an electric car and are charging your car at night, you will need additional batteries to accommodate charging of your car without pulling power from the grid. The State takes great time and care in developing the energy code. Why is there a rush to add a reach code, before this one has been put into action. I am attaching a letter from the Peninsula Builders Exchange, so you can understand the concerns by those who will need to construct these buildings (Please take the time to read this letter). Every city adopting a different code causes confusion and inconsistencies. How will the design professionals be able to keep all the different city by city requirements straight? I am unable to understand how the City Council can review once again something that is for the special interests groups and leaving the actual citizens out of the equation who will bear the added cost of construction. During this time of soaring construction costs and scarcity of products that will meet these requirements, this will be one more hit against affordable housing. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly or be made out of bullying or "public shaming" by special interest groups.