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7.A. - Page 4 of 285 electric fireplaces and cooking appliances. If the requirements established in the Reach Codes are truly less expensive, a home owner will likely choose them. Furthermore, ADUs will be installed on properties with existing homes that are mixed -fuel buildings. Requiring All -Electric ADUs may require the existing electrical service to be upgraded to accommodate both the ADU and the existing home. Building Materials: Were building materials recommendations made as a part of Reach Codes? For example, while researching building materials, concrete appears to be a significant contributor to GHG emissions. Do our Building Codes disincentivize its use? Does CEQA factor in GHG emissions from materials? • The production of all building materials, whether wood or concrete are a significant source of GHGs. However, there is scarce availability of low -carbon cement. CEQA does not consider embedded carbon and local climate action plans also do not count it (known as "Scope 3 emissions"). The Reach Codes address direct emissions sources from combustion of fossil fuels. EV Adoption Rates: For electric vehicles, could we develop a requirement that sets the amount of spaces required as a proportion of total spaces, and include a formula to increase the number of spaces depending on different variables? • Yes, but the current staff recommendation is to set a fixed amount of required EV spaces. The Redwood City EV reach code, proposed by PCE, was developed as a response to feedback from City Council during the September 23rd meeting. PCE developed the model to ensure buildings built today will be ready for EV adoption to occur within the —40 -year life of the building and incorporate that readiness at construction to avoid the substantially greater costs of retrofits. For our region, EV sales will likely continue to grow for many years so EV expansion will be well within the life of the buildings. PCE anticipates that EV sales will continue to grow and suggest that any building that does not accommodate residents with EVs would not meet future residential market needs. Board of Building Review: What would be the role of the Board of Building Review on Reach Codes? Have they reviewed and weighed in on them? • Staff met with the Board on December 9, 2019 to receive input on the Reach Code and have taken their feedback into consideration where applicable. Safety Impacts: Have the safety impacts of natural gas been overstated? What scientific research has been done on the subject? • The most common pollutant associated with gas for household use is carbon monoxide. Currently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that carbon monoxide related deaths account for 170 accidental deaths each year or one out of every 20 million Americans. The National Institutes of Health have found no apparent impact of gas stove use on pulmonary functions or respiratory symptoms, but have found a relationship between respiratory illnesses and symptoms and gas heating. The takeaway is that respiratory illnesses can be attributed to the energy source and length of exposure to the energy source. With cooking, there is relatively low exposure, whereas heating typically takes place over many hours. Page 4 of 12 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 256