Make Your Voice Heard: Tell Goleta to Go Electric
California can and must achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible. Cities and counties in California are leading the transition from gas to clean energy buildings to accomplish this goal. High-efficiency heat pumps, induction stoves, and other modern electric technology are more sustainable alternatives to combusting fossil fuels in our homes.
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the City of Goleta will vote on an all-electric ordinance for new construction. The Community Environmental Council has been working on this campaign for many years, and we ask for your help to ensure Goleta gets natural gas out of new construction. All-electric new buildings are:
Less expensive to construct
Safer and healthier to live in
More sustainable as they can be powered by 100% renewable and clean electricity, rather than natural gas
Local action like this ordinance is critical to enable California to achieve its zero-carbon goals by 2045. This is a tremendous opportunity to engage in climate activism and advocate for Goleta to join the decarbonization movement.
Take Action
Speak at the Meeting on Tuesday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. @ Goleta City Hall
For the biggest impact, tell your story or provide public comment at the in-person or virtual hearing. The Council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. PT. The All-Electric Ordinance is item C.2. on the agenda, so it may come up later in the evening. View Agenda.
Attend in person
Location: Goleta City Hall, 130 Cremona Dr., Goleta, 93117
Attend virtually
Location: Join Meeting Electronically
Webinar ID: 860 7267 9868 (use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers)
Passcode: 112639
Instructions for how to make public comment
Submit a Written Public Comment by 3 p.m. on April 18
If you can't make it to Tuesday's meeting, you can still participate! Submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org no later than 3:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, April 18. Describe in your own words why it is important to move away from natural gas. It might be a personal story about a dangerous incident with natural gas or your thoughts on why we must reduce climate change pollution. Indicate Agenda Item #C.2 in the subject line.
Tips for Drafting Emails and Comments
Explain why it's critical to pass all-electric ordinances for the climate:
Allowing new developments to continue to be built with natural gas hook-ups is inconsistent with California’s goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2045 and is contrary to the direction that California's building industry is moving toward.
Seventy four California jurisdictions, including the Cities of Ojai and Santa Barbara, and the County of Ventura have adopted all-electric ordinances.
These building codes ensure that all new all-electric buildings are more affordable to build and operate, safer for occupants, and more sustainable as they use highly efficient heat pumps and can be powered by 100% renewable electricity. Choosing all-electric appliances is a win for our health, safety, and the climate, which is why cities like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ojai, and the County of Ventura are amongst the 74 California jurisdictions that have passed similar ordinances and are electrifying the path for a gas-free future.
Mention one or more of the top four benefits of going all-electric:
Cost: Forgoing gas hookups can save thousands of dollars in construction costs, and reports from the California Energy Commission show that all-electric buildings across nearly all types of construction cost slightly less than mixed-fuel counterparts, which is of vital importance with California’s housing affordability crisis.
Health and Safety: A recent study found that 60% of homes in the state that cook at least once a week with a gas stove produce toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide exceeding federal standards for outdoor air quality. New all-electric development will be healthier and safer for residents, as there is no gas combustion inside the home, which can lead to asthma and other health issues.
Sustainability: Fossil fuels, like natural gas found in commercial and residential buildings, are incompatible with the State's goal of carbon neutrality. Buildings contribute to 24% of California's greenhouse gas emissions, and much of that comes from burning natural gas.
Equity: Renters may not have control of the appliances in their home and therefore do not have agency over experiencing the health impacts mentioned above. There is also momentum in multi-family projects moving to all-electric.
Additional resources about going all-electric:
Read more about the benefits of building electrification
Learn how to electrify your home and access incentives at The Switch Is On
Hear from local homeowners about their highly efficient heat pumps
Get a $2,000 heat pump tax credit and more with the federal climate bill
Access local incentives through Central Coast Community Energy
