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RE: California Energy Code Reach Codes <br />It has been brought to my attention that the city of Redwood City is thinking of increasing the requirements to <br />the California Energy Code. It is a shame that this City Council meeting was not more widely published, so <br />that those who will be greatly affected by these additional and unreasonable requirements can have a voice. <br />Per the California Energy Commissions own figures the new 2019 Energy Code will already decrease the <br />energy consumption of new houses up to 50% more than that of the 2016 California Energy Code. <br />I find it troubling that the people who are advocating for these additional electrification requirements are the <br />same people that my utility bill is paid to. <br />Solar electric systems cost anywhere from at the lowest of $12,000 and will more likely be in the range of <br />$23,000 - $30,000 based on the size of the system, this is without batteries. You will need to add an additional <br />$10,000 per battery if they are wanted and or needed. <br />Since most people are at home in the evening your solar electric system will not be producing for you when <br />you are at home. There for you will need to be drawing down from the utility grid at night if you do not have <br />batteries. <br />If you have an electric car and are charging your car at night, you will need additional batteries to <br />accommodate charging of your car without pulling power from the grid. <br />The State takes great time and care in developing the energy code. Why is there a rush to add a reach code, <br />before this one has been put into action. <br />I am attaching a letter from the Peninsula Builders Exchange, so you can understand the concerns by those <br />who will need to construct these buildings (Please take the time to read this letter). Every city adopting a <br />different code causes confusion and inconsistencies. How will the design professionals be able to keep all the <br />different city by city requirements straight? <br />I am unable to understand how the City Council can review once again something that is for the special <br />interests groups and leaving the actual citizens out of the equation who will bear the added cost of <br />construction. During this time of soaring construction costs and scarcity of products that will meet these <br />requirements, this will be one more hit against affordable housing. <br />This is not a decision that should be taken lightly or be made out of bullying or "public shaming" by special <br />interest groups. <br />Since this is a new code does it not make more sense to see how construction goes before rushing to adopt a <br />reach code that has not been completely vetted? Please give this the attention it deserves before voting on yet <br />another rule to increase building costs and make it harder for the average person to afford to build. <br />Best regards, <br />Roland and Joanne Kurz - Concerned citizens of Redwood City <br />