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CLK-Pamela Aguilar From: Kathy Voss <vossorganizing@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2019 7:45 PM To: GRP -City Council Cc: Carol Cross Subject: Addressing concerns about Reach Codes for all -electric buildings This e-mail is from an external source. Please do not open attachments or click links from an unknown or suspicious origin. osxfoi To the City Council Members of Redwood City: At the Sept. 23 City Council meeting, several city council members voiced concerns about enacting Reach Codes that require all -electric buildings and EV charging. Here is some information from PCE that addresses those concerns: 1) EV Charging in affordable housing: City council members expressed concern that the cost of installing EV chargers in new housing might drive up rental costs, especially for new affordable housing. Answer from PCE's Rafael Reyes: "PCE absolutely will offer incentives for EV charging at the construction of affordable housing. Our intention is to make installation of charging at new affordable housing cost neutral. This is a high priority as part of our EV charging program expected to launch mid -2020." 2) Grid readiness: Will the electrical capacity be there, through PCE, as new all -electric buildings (with their EV chargers) come on line? PCE's Rafael Reyes responded: "PG&E has already sent a letter to RWC supporting reach codes and committing to grid readiness. We have a similar letter for PCE territory as a whole." Mr. Reyes emailed me the letter from PG&E to PCE, in which PG&E states that: "PG&E continuously forecasts load in its service territory and implements upgrades to the distribution grid to meet increased demand.... Each request for new or increased service is evaluated to determine if site-specific distribution upgrades are required. PG&E fully expects to meet the needs that all -electric buildings will require." 3) Methane Capture and Use: Will methane captured from landfills be wasted if new buildings are required to be all -electric? Info from my research: Methane from landfills can be used to produce electricity (a new electricity generation plant in Half Moon Bay will start functioning in a few months - Mercury News article here). Captured methane can also potentially be added to the natural gas supply (Source: Drawdown.org). Whether captured methane is used to generate electricity or is added to the gas supply and used in older buildings that still use natural gas, the captured methane will not be wasted. Therefore, there is no conflict between a reach code that requires NEW buildings to be all -electric and making good use I