The three ways to reduce building-related emissions are energy efficiency, sustainable construction practices, and electrification. Decarbonizing existing building operations through electrification is critical to meeting emissions reduction goals. There are many challenges associated with improving the performance of existing buildings including costs, rental/ownership status and split incentives, and technological constraints.
Most building-related emissions are attributable to the existing building stock, which is generally less efficient than new construction due to being constructed to meet less stringent energy efficiency standards. Additionally, most existing buildings utilize natural gas for space and water heating, which generates more emissions than all-electric construction. Electrifying existing building operations, coupled with energy efficiency, is critical to meeting emissions reduction goals. Residential and nonresidential natural gas use accounts for 31% of Alameda’s greenhouse gas emissions for space heating, water heating, clothes drying, and cooking.
New construction is governed by the California Building Standards Code and the California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24 Parts 6 and 11) or CALGreen, which include requirements for sustainable construction practices and energy performance in the following categories:
The California Building Standards Code is updated every three years to reflect industry best practices and increase the sustainability of new construction. Although Alameda already adopted an all-electric reach code for new construction, the City rescinded the code as a result of the “Berkeley Ruling” which nullified the all-electric reach code and directed staff to reevaluate Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA)-friendly policy options.
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