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At-Home EV Charging
Alex Hill Alex Hill

At-Home EV Charging

Setting up an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at home can make owning or leasing an EV much more convenient. With all of the current rebates and incentives available, adding an at-home charging station can be quite affordable, and in some cases, free.

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The Biggest Climate Wins of 2023
Michael Chiacos Michael Chiacos

The Biggest Climate Wins of 2023

While it was difficult to surpass 2022’s unprecedented climate wins, the successes we saw this year in California are keeping the winds at our backs, maintaining our momentum toward rapid and equitable climate solutions.

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Flipping the Switch: Benefits of Home Electrification and Heat Pump Installation
Guest User Guest User

Flipping the Switch: Benefits of Home Electrification and Heat Pump Installation

Space heating is one of the largest generators of air pollution in California. The Solution? Heat Pump Technology. Instead of burning fuel, heat pumps use a refrigerant to move heat from one place to another, similar to your refrigerator. They are more efficient, more consistent, and offer more control. Plus, one heat pump can replace both your heating and air conditioning units.

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How my family is getting fossil fuels out of our life — and how you can too
Michael Chiacos Michael Chiacos

How my family is getting fossil fuels out of our life — and how you can too

There are now many fantastic solutions that make it possible for individuals and households to ditch fossil fuels. My family was fortunate enough to purchase a small house in 2010, and over the past decade we have reduced our daily fossil fuel use by about 95%. Below you’ll find 10 powerful actions so that you can too! 

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2022 All-Electric REACH Code FAQ
Michael Chiacos Michael Chiacos

2022 All-Electric REACH Code FAQ

The following FAQ on all-electric REACH Codes is an updated version (as of September 2022) of a post published in February of 2020.

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Flipping the Switch to Electric: Carpinteria Couple Is All-In to Build Smart
Leslie Dinaberg Leslie Dinaberg

Flipping the Switch to Electric: Carpinteria Couple Is All-In to Build Smart

“Our intention has always been to build and live as sustainably as we can, keeping climate impacts at the forefront. We’ve got this amazing opportunity and it definitely feels like partly our responsibility – and duty – to do so,” says Hunter Turpin about the new all-electric home he and his wife Casey are building.

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WIN: City of Santa Barbara moves forward an Energy Code Amendment
Michael Chiacos Michael Chiacos

WIN: City of Santa Barbara moves forward an Energy Code Amendment

The City of Santa Barbara is moving forward an Energy Code Amendment that would require new buildings to be built all-electric instead of also using natural gas. This new code does not apply to existing buildings or homes, and will have NO affect on existing buildings supplied by natural gas.

These new buildings will help make zero carbon communities possible and will get us a step closer to the City's goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035. The next step is to consult with stakeholders and bring back a refined all-electric code for new buildings in the next couple months.

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All-Electric REACH Code FAQ
Michael Chiacos Michael Chiacos

All-Electric REACH Code FAQ

Everything you wanted to know about electrification and the proposed natural gas ban on new construction in Santa Barbara buildings.

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CEC Holds Timely Home Energy Storage Workshops
Guest User Guest User

CEC Holds Timely Home Energy Storage Workshops

In the Fall and Winter of 2019, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) partnered with city and county energy staff, local solar and energy companies, and community leaders to host three energy storage workshops in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Ventura in response to a growing interest in solar-paired battery systems.

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