HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/16/2020 Item 11, Oakley
Clerk, Intern
From:Ben Oakley <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Ben Oakley
Subject:Agenda Item 11 - Clean Energy Choice for New Buildings
Attachments:WSPA - Clean Energy Choice For New Buildngs.pdf
To Whom It May Concern:
Please see the attached comment letter on Agenda Item 11 – Clean Energy Choice for New Buildings.
Regards,
Ben Oakley
Manager, California Coastal Region
C 805.714.6973
1
Western States Petroleum Association 1415 L Street, Suite 900, Sacramento, CA 95814 916-498-7750 wspa.org
Ben Oakley
California Coastal Region Manager
June 16, 2020
San Luis Obispo City Council sent via e-mail at: emailcouncil@slocity.org
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Clean Energy Choice for New Buildings Program
Dear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council:
The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) appreciates this opportunity to provide
feedback on the proposed “Clean Energy Choice for New Buildings Program” being considered
for adoption. WSPA is a non-profit trade association dedicated to ensuring that Americans
continue to have reliable access to petroleum products through policies that are socially,
economically, and environmentally responsible. We deliver safe and reliable products that sustain
our way of life and drive economic opportunity.
We urge the City to reconsider its support of the proposed Clean Energy Choice for New Buildings
Program because it will put additional financial distress on those who can least afford it. According
to the California Air Resources Board, natural gas consumption in the residential/buildings sector
accounts for only about 7% of greenhouse gas emissions in the state (source:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ghg-inventory-data). With the proposed Clean Energy Choice for New
Buildings program, the City is going after a relatively small slice of the overall emissions pie in a
manner that will have drastic impacts on the affordability and reliability of the energy supply for
working California families who are already weathering a housing and affordability crisis. This is
especially true for low-income families who spend 20 percent or more of their monthly income on
energy costs (source:https://www.socalgas.com/1443742344191/scg-vision-paper-
04032019.pdf). The financial advantages of natural gas are clear when you consider the average
new household that uses natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, and drying saves about $900
per year compared to electricity.
We believe that together, we can create a truly sustainable energy future. To that end, the City
of San Luis Obispo should support reasonable policies to achieve climate goals while protecting
its residents against the affordability crisis working Californians are facing every day. The Clean
Energy Choice for New Buildings will only make it harder for residents already struggling to make
ends meet. We urge you to reconsider your support of this policy.
Sincerely,