ELECTRIFICATION- PATH TO ZERO-CARBON CARS, HOME HEATING & WATER HEATING

To protect the climate, California has set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2045. Effectively, that means that anything that burns fossil fuels needs to be replaced with a zero-carbon alternative within roughly the next two decades.

For individuals, the biggest fossil fuel burners, other than flying, are typically gas cars, gas furnaces, and gas hot water heaters.

Most Bay Area electricity providers already provide zero-carbon electricity, or are moving toward that goal. With that, electricity becomes a means to move to our zero-carbon future.

We can start planning that move today, no need to wait until 2045. See below for suggestions about electrifying your home and car.

Rebates / incentives: https://incentives.switchison.org/

Mountain View renters and homeowners can

Check Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s eHub for more detail about why and how to switch, and for money-saving tips: https://svcleanenergy.org/ehub/

If you would like information about how to electrify while possibly avoiding the need to install a larger electrical panel, see this guide from Peninsula Clean Energy: https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Design-guidelines-for-home-electrification-v021023.pdf

 New Buildings

Carbon Free Mountain View members have been active in the electrification movement for the past several years. In 2019 we lobbied the city of Mountain View to amend the building code so that all new buildings are required to be all-electric, and EV-charger-ready. The new building code became effective in 2020.

The CFMV Board also joined many Bay Area environmental groups to work with Fossil Free Buildings Silicon Valley to help persuade other nearby cities to pass similar building requirements in their cities. 

 We need to turn our attention to existing buildings, and existing gas cars.

 

What you can do: Electric Cars

Electric cars are a treat to drive, require less maintenance than gas cars, and are less expensive to operate. Many people who have owned an electric car find that their previous concerns about range were unnecessary. There are reasonably-priced sedans and SUVs on the market today that have a range of 200+ miles, and many new models are coming to the market in 2021. Used electric cars can be found for $10,000 or less. At-home or at-work charging can be very convenient. 

If your household has more than one gas-powered vehicle, consider making your next new vehicle electric. For those who want to be prepared for long-distance trips, consider choosing a plug-in hybrid instead of a gas-powered vehicle; some people with plug-in hybrids find they only need to purchase gas once or twice a year.

Many people who have electric cars are happy to share their experience. One way to reach them- through the nonprofit Acterra’s EV Ambassador program.

 

What you can do: Electric Home

Technology exists today to heat and cool homes with electricity that is 2-3 times more efficient than the most efficient gas furnace. That technology is a heat pump. It uses the same principles as a refrigerator or an air conditioner- it moves heat from one place to another. Heat pumps have been in use in other parts of the US for years. They provide both heating and cooling, so this one appliance replaces both your furnace and your air conditioner. By switching to electric heating and cooling, you can avoid not only CO2 creation, but also the other pollutants caused by burning fossil fuels.

When is a good time to switch?

Replacing a gas furnace / heater or other appliance with an electric one typically requires installing electric circuits, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead.

Plan to switch 

-      a year or two before your furnace, water heater, or other gas appliance fails, or before your air conditioner fails.

 Typical equipment lifespan

Gas furnace: 20-30 years

Gas water heater: 10 years

Air conditioner: 10-15 years

 -       if you are considering installing an air conditioner for the first time.

 -      if you are planning a remodel.

-      Now. If you’re ready to be carbon-free, now is the time.  

Many of your neighbors have already switched. If you’d like to talk to someone, you can take advantage of the Home Electrification Ambassador program that Fossil Free Buildings Silicon Valley is starting.

 

What you can do: Electric Cooking

Just like electric driving, cooking with new electrical induction technology is a treat. It’s more powerful than gas, doesn’t generate heat in your kitchen, and doesn’t create the pollutants in your house that burning gas causes. Induction stovetops are also much easier to clean. The non-profit Acterra operates a portable induction cooktop loaner program, if you’d like give one a try. They can be reached via induction@acterra.org.

Rebates / Resources

There are rebates for most electrification projects: https://incentives.switchison.org/

Check Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s eHub for more detail about why and how to switch, and for money-saving tips: https://svcleanenergy.org/ehub/

2018: 36 RECOMMENDATIONS for Mountain View

Carbon Free Mountain View’s Board Members were leaders of the 2017-2018 Mountain View Environmental Sustainability Task Force. We endorse the 36 recommendations that are contained in the Task Force’s Final Report.

The 36 recommendations were developed by five Working Groups and are listed below. (The letter-number combinations are a short-hand way to refer to the recommendations and do not reflect their importance or recommended priority for implementation.)

Transportation Recommendations

  • Revolutionize transportation in Mountain View (T1)

  • Solve the local solo-trip problem: Pilot discounted pooled ride-sharing (T4B)

  • Solve the local solo-trip problem: MV Shuttle 2.0 and 3.0 (T4A)

  • Restrict parking to encourage and fund alternative modes (T6)

  • Support bicycling as a primary mode of transportation (T5)

  • Expand EV charging infrastructure on public property and right-of-ways (T3)

  • Expand transportation demand management (TDM) to all of Mountain View (T7)

  • Implement group-buy programs to expand personal EV adoption (T2)

Buildings and Land Use Recommendations

  • Adopt a decarbonization policy for buildings (B1)

  • Create financial and non-financial incentives for new above-code buildings (BN3)

  • Update green building code to move towards low-carbon buildings (BN1)

  • Measure effectiveness of housing near transit (BN8)

  • Incentivize switching residential HVAC and water heaters from natural gas to electricity (BE1)

  • Encourage installation of EV chargers in existing multi-unit dwellings (BE7)

  • Adopt a revenue-neutral differential utility tax encouraging low-carbon energy use (BE9)

  • Increase efficiency of existing buildings through voluntary programs and city ordinances (BE4)

  • Use city buildings to demonstrate leadership in electrification and energy efficiency (BE12)

  • Require LEED Platinum for city-owned new construction or major renovation (BN6)

  • Reduce embodied carbon in building construction and maintenance (BN4)

  • Enliven Mountain View with native plants and oak trees (BT1)

Circular Economy Recommendations

  • Adopt a consumption-based emissions inventory for Mountain View’s GHG accounting (W16)

  • Adopt a citywide ban on single-use disposable plastic foodware (W9)

  • Implement a sustainable landscaping program in Mountain View (W12)

  • Partner with Palo Alto to install anaerobic digesters to produce clean energy (W15)

  • Lead collaboration among Bay Area cities to develop a solution to the overseas recycling crisis (W1)

  • Pass a resolution to support “Green Monday” (W2)

  • Expand Mountain View’s composting program to all residential and commercial properties (W5)

Outreach, Regional Collaboration, and Advocacy Recommendations

  • Create a new Sustainability Office for Mountain View (O1)

  • Implement a residential and business outreach initiative (O2A)

  • Provide community engagement tools to facilitate household-level GHG reductions (O2B)

  • Conduct annual summit to review and track county, state, and federal sustainability actions (O3)

Measurement and Metrics Recommendations

  • Manage Mountain View’s emissions budget as carefully as its financial budget (M1)

  • Set GHG reduction targets according to per capita goals based on service population (M2)

  • Set annual GHG reduction targets for Mountain View that decline by a constant percentage (M13)

  • Eliminate emissions associated with Direct Access electricity by 2025 (M4)

  • Implement a knowledge resource for electrification and other sustainability actions (M10)

CFMV will be promoting these recommendations to our city council and other key stakeholders. Let us know what you think, and if you can help by reinforcing the importance of the recommendations by communicating with City Council memebers.