HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/5/2022 Item 6b, Smith
Wilbanks, Megan
carolyn smith <cjsmith_107@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 5,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:City Council July 5, 2022 Meeting - Agenda Item #6b - Gas Ban on New Construction
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Mayor Stewart and Council Members:
Please postpone the new proposed ordinance banning gas connections on new construction and
continue the current ordinance until the US Court of Appeals has released its decision in California
Restaurants Assn. v. City of Berkeley, Case No. 21-16278. Oral arguments in this case were heard
on May 12, 2022, and a decision should be forth coming by mid-August. If the court decides against
the Defendants, it could affect the legality of this proposed ordinance. Extending this matter until that
decision is announced in a month, seems like the prudent thing to do to avoid any backtracking of a
prematurely approved illegal ordinance. While the party who loses may appeal the case to the US
Supreme Court, it's uncertain if or when they will hear the case.
Additionally, our electric grid in this State is insufficiently prepared for the increased load from all
electric homes and electric vehicles. The recent move by the State to keep Diablo open strongly
confirms experts' concern for grid reliability. Extending the current ordinance would provide more time
for the energy industry, including renewable energy production and battery backup, to catch up with
the increasing burden on our grid. Since we have been warned of more brown outs from P. G. & E.,
which are detrimental to all residents, particularly those of lower income and the elderly, we may be
getting ahead of ourselves toward this noble goal. We're just not there yet and putting residents in a
situation where they will have no power at all will be short-sighted, irresponsible, and will most
certainly result in diminishing public support for future climate change policies. Homes with gas
stoves and gas tank water heaters are able to at least cook meals and take baths and/or showers
during a brown-out. Gas stoves can be lit safely with a hand ignitor and with a nearby window open.
I've done this before and have had no problems. With all electric homes, unless a home has sufficient
battery backup, which can be very expensive, or backup gas powered generators, families will not be
able to meet any basic necessities.
While all renewable energy in California is certainly achievable over time, it appears we're still a way
off from relying on all renewable energy, and natural gas is still necessary to keep our homes and
businesses operating.
California is breaking renewable energy records, but fossil fuels aren't fading:NPR.
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California just ran on 100% renewable energy,
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California broke its record for renewable energy when solar
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Back-up battery development needs time to improve and expand to accommodate providing power to
homes and businesses during the hours when there's insufficient sun or wind. The several year
droughts have reduced our lakes and reservoirs to their lowest in years, reducing hydroelectric
production. Moving forward with this ordinance will most likely contribute to the overtaxing of our
electric grid that's not ready for the increased load, particularly if Diablo doesn't remain open, and
require the state to purchase fossil fuel energy in order to keep the power on.
There are also experts in the field of energy and affordability, such as the Institute of Energy
Research who have concluded: “natural gas bans are an extremely expensive burden on American
energy consumers and an infringement on their ability to secure reliable and affordable energy.
Additionally, these bans tend to be concentrated in areas where there are legitimate concerns over
grid reliability. Furthermore, in states like California, the cities adopting natural gas bans tend to be
very wealthy, so there are legitimate concerns that the bans represent additional barriers to entry.”
Please postpone the creation of a new ordinance and extend the existing ordinance.
Carolyn Smith, SLO City Resident
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