Make Your Voice Heard: Tell Goleta to Adopt an Electric Vehicle Reach Code

California must transition to electric vehicles as soon as possible to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels — and stay on track to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2045. In response, cities and counties are expanding access to zero-emission vehicles by adopting electric vehicle (EV) reach codes to increase EV charging infrastructure in newly constructed buildings.

On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the City of Goleta will vote to adopt an EV reach code. EV reach codes are one of the most powerful ways to expand charging access at multifamily properties and workplaces so that renters and those without access to charging at home can more easily and affordably use electric vehicles. With the State of California’s regulations for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, and Goleta’s rapid move toward 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2030, this reach code will make Goleta a leader in supporting a healthier and more sustainable future.

The Community Environmental Council has been working on this campaign for many years, and we ask for your help to ensure Goleta constructs EV-ready residential and commercial buildings. New buildings with EV chargers:

• Provide critical EV charging infrastructure for residences and workplaces

• Create safer and healthier communities to live and work in

• Are much less expensive than undertaking retrofits in the future

• Encourage the development of energy-efficient and increasingly electrified, sustainable buildings as well as support EV adoption through EV charging standards

• Align with the State of California’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate by 2035

• Are more sustainable as they will be powered by 100% clean and renewable electricity through Central Coast Community Energy

Take Action: Give Public Comment in Support of an EV Reach Code

Join us in telling the Goleta City Council to adopt an EV Reach Code! Speak at the Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, at Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive). We highly encourage you to join us in person to give public comments. Click here to access the agenda and click here to access the staff report for the EV Reach Code.

Can’t make it in person? Write a Public Comment

Via Email: Submit a written public comment by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3 to the City Clerk at cityclerkgroup@cityofgoleta.org. Be sure to include the agenda item number, “D.1 Goleta Municipal Code to Adopt an Electric Vehicle Reach Code” in the subject line.

Via Zoom: Join the meeting electronically here. Follow the instructions on the agenda here for how to participate via Zoom.

Talking Points

Share your appreciation and why this matters to you:

• Thank City of Goleta Sustainability staff and elected officials for considering an EV Reach Code.

• Tell in your own words why this climate action item matters to you, your kids, or your community.

Urge the City of Goleta to:

Adopt an EV Reach Code to increase access to EV chargers at new buildings in Goleta. Prioritizing access to EV chargers in multifamily residential properties is essential to supporting the transition to EVs in the Goleta community. This action also supports California’s goals of Carbon Neutrality by 2045.

Emphasize that:

• More EVs result in cleaner air for drivers, bikers, and walkers, and greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also reduce our dependence on oil and allow Goletans to use clean electricity for power.

• EVs are very energy efficient and many achieve over 100 mpg equivalent! They can also be charged up for about half the price of gasoline.

• More than 44 local governments in California have adopted EV Reach Codes. EV Reach Codes help jurisdictions meet the growing gap between EV charging demand and availability. Adopting a Reach Code component that addresses EV charging infrastructure will help Goleta further electrify our transportation sector, which accounts for over 55% of the City’s emissions. With bold EV adoption and infrastructure goals set by the state, Goleta can further support the transportation electrification transition by increasing the minimum requirements for EV infrastructure in new construction.

• As our state moves toward an EV-only future by requiring all new cars sold in California to be zero emission by 2035, the accessibility of EVs for multi-family housing residents is essential for transportation equity.

• EV Reach Codes help advance accessibility and affordability of EVs for all future occupants of apartments and commercial buildings. Greater accessibility for all will mean expanded EV adoption across Goleta in the short term, a necessity step both for improving air quality and mitigating climate change.

• More charging access at multifamily complexes and workplaces allows EV drivers to utilize more affordable off-peak Time-of-Use rates, rather than being restricted to using more expensive public fast chargers.

• We must take every opportunity we can to build a sustainable transportation system. This EV Reach Code is one of the strongest ways our city council can support more EV charging options for more Goletans.

Other CEC Resources

• Find your local meetings: Bookmark CEC’s California Central Coast Public Meeting Directory so you always know when, where, and how you can participate in local climate policy decision-making. Do you live outside of the Central Coast? Visit your city, county, or municipal website for more information.

• Read CEC’s How to Participate in Public Meetings guide (Spanish/English): Learn how you can participate in public meetings or hearings hosted by your local government – and get answers to frequently asked questions.

• Additionally, don't forget to watch our bilingual Policy Training Webinar to gain valuable insights and skills for effective advocacy.

• If you have any questions, please contact CEC’s Senior Climate Policy Associate, Farah Stack, at fstack@cecmail.org

Policy Action Success!
County of Santa Barbara 2030 Climate Action Plan Adopted

CEC is thrilled to announce a significant victory in Santa Barbara County's climate advocacy. Through the collective efforts of CEC, the Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas (CFROG), the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), and over 20 organizations and individuals, the County of Santa Barbara has adopted the 2030 Climate Action Plan (CAP). In a 3-2 vote, the Board of Supervisors passed the plan along with a resolution directing staff to return in six months with strategies to add oil and gas in the plan’s reduction measures. 

This win is a testament to the power of community-led action that flooded the hearing room in Santa Maria, filled email inboxes, and gave voice to concerns via public comment on Zoom. Despite initial resistance from staff last year, our persistent advocacy brought them on board. CEC will continue to monitor the CAP’s oil and gas facilities resolution to ensure it is brought back to the Board in six months — stay tuned for updates! Read the CAP sign-on letter and check out this article in the Santa Barbara Independent.