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9.A. - Page 22 of 34 • Natural gas accounts for approximately 4% of total energy consumption in buildings, and generates approximately 68% of emissions from buildings. • Electricity accounts for approximately 96% of total energy consumption in buildings, and generates 32% of GHGs from buildings Although the large difference in emissions between natural gas and electric sources is due in part to older and less energy efficient natural gas appliances, electric appliances can be significantly more energy efficient and generate lower emissions compared to natural gas appliances. The City Council and the Board of Building Review (BOBR) have reviewed proposed Reach Codes as detailed below: • October 28, 2019 — City Council considered introducing ordinances amending the California Building Codes and Fire Codes, and received a presentation on mixed -fuel reach codes. Mixed -fuel reach codes encouraged all -electric construction, but still allowed all buildings to use natural gas and electricity as energy sources. However, the City Council instead directed staff to develop alternative All -Electric Reach Codes for City Council consideration. • December 9, 2019 — BOBR discussed Reach Codes, with certain exceptions. The BOBR recommended minor changes. Attendees included residents, contractors, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), and local developers. PCE is a not-for-profit alternative clean energy provider and has assisted staff with developing the City's Reach Codes. Public comment indicated general support for requiring electrification, with some members of the public expressing concern about the feasibility and costs of implementation in high-rise residential buildings and hospitals. BOBR members asked for more clarity on the cost-effectiveness of all -electric central water heating in high-rise multifamily buildings, which is further detailed under the Analysis. Since the December 9, 2019 meeting, there has been a cost-effectiveness study for four to seven story residential buildings and a cost-effectiveness study for residential buildings eight stories and above is underway. • January 13, 2020 — Staff presented draft Reach Codes with exceptions, further described under Analysis'. City Council reviewed the Reach Codes and then directed staff to conduct additional community and stakeholder outreach. Council also discussed whether Reach Codes could be reviewed annually or phased in. Since state mandated building code updates occur in three-year cycles, staff recommend adopting Reach Codes without phasing since the state is likely to develop stricter energy efficiency standards consistent with California Energy Commission's (CEC) goal of 100% clean energy. Additionally, staff anticipates providing an update on Reach Codes implementation during the next adoption of the California Building Codes in late 2022. • August 20, 2020 — Staff presented the results of the additional community and stakeholder outreach to the Environmental Initiatives Ad Hoc Committee. As will be discussed further, staff developed two new possible exceptions for City Council consideration based on community feedback. The two new exceptions are for affordable housing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Committee reviewed the proposed exceptions from the January 13, 2020 meeting and the two new exceptions that arose out of community feedback. 1 For more information on All -Electric Reach Codes and proposed exceptions, please visit www.redwoodcitV.org/reachcodes. An initial analysis of proposed exceptions is included in the January 13, 2020 staff report available on the Reach Codes webpage. Page 2 of 14 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 124