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In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, one of California's major goals in this proceeding is to <br />improve energy and housing affordability. We do not believe the elimination of natural gas in California will <br />accomplish either. Energy costs in California are extremely high as compared to other Western states. The <br />cost of electricity from both traditional and renewable sources is significantly higher than natural gas and not <br />as efficient. As such, even if there were practical alternatives to natural gas for the equipment installed by the <br />swimming pool and hot tub industry, a change would result in a higher -priced and less efficient product, thus <br />making it more difficult for homeowners, schools, recreational and commercial facilities to be able to afford <br />it. <br />Swimming pools and hot tubs use only an estimated 4% of the natural gas demand in California. This <br />industry should not be the target of these efforts and could be exempted from efforts to reduce the carbon <br />footprint from the way we heat residential building and water systems. However, without natural gas hookups <br />in new residential and commercial construction, citizens of this state that reside in these areas will be deprived <br />of all the benefits associated with access to swimming pools and hot tubs. <br />For all of the above reasons, we would urge the city to reconsider action on this proposed ordinance. <br />Sincerely, <br />JOHN A. NORWOOD <br />Norwood Associates, LLC <br />916-447-5053 <br />Cc: Diane Howard, Mayor <br />Shelly Masur, Vice Mayor <br />Alicia C. Aguirre, Councilor <br />Ian Bain, Councilor <br />Janet Borgens, Councilor <br />Giselle Hale, Councilor <br />Diana Reddy, Councilor <br />915 L Street • Suite 1100 • Sacramento • CA • 95814 <br />