HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/15/2025 Item 7a, Veium
Eric Veium <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Read, Chris
Subject:Public Comment - 7/15 City Council Item 7A Study Session Existing Building Energy
Retrofit
Attachments:SLO Climate Coalition - Item 7a Study Session SLO City Existing Building Energy
Retrofit.pdf
City Clerk,
Please share the attached public comment with the City Council and include in the public record for
tomorrow evening's Council meeting.
Thank you.
Eric
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Eric Veium, MPP
he | him (why do pronouns matter?)
Board Chair
Home Energy Advising Service Director
Co-Director, CCA Workforce & EJ Alliance
805.835.3669
eric@sloclimatecoalition.org
www.sloclimatecoalition.org
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1
July 15, 2025
San Luis Obispo City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Strong Support for Existing Building Energy Retrofit Policy Recommendations with Requests
for Implementation, Expanded Evaluation, and Integration of Home Energy Score
Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
On behalf of the SLO Climate Coalition, I write to express our strong support for the policy
recommendations presented in the Existing Building Energy Retrofit Policy Update and Future Options
report. San Luis Obispo has adopted ambitious, science-aligned climate goals, including a 50% reduction
in emissions from existing buildings by 2030 and full community carbon neutrality by 2035. In
consideration of the unfortunately restrictive state and federal policy environment, achieving these goals
requires aggressive, urgent, and decisive action.
The recommendations in this report represent an important step forward. However, given the scale of the
challenge and the urgency of the climate crisis, we call on the City to not only adopt these measures but
to implement and actively monitor their effectiveness, and to return to Council with results,
refinements, and new recommendations within 12 to 18 months.
Additions and Alterations Policy
We support the re-adoption of the Energy Efficient Renovations Requirements for single-family homes
and the proposed clarification of the “work area” definition. However, to fully leverage this policy’s
potential, the City must take a broader view. There are several promising avenues for expansion—such as
lowering square footage thresholds, including ADUs, or considering project valuation triggers—that
warrant serious exploration. At this time, we urge the City not to limit staff’s possible policy options by
removing any alternative policy from consideration. Instead, we request that staff return with more
detailed compliance cost data and an analysis of more aggressive policy options so that Council can
make an informed, effective, and equitable decision about how to maximize this policy’s impact.
Large Building Performance Standards (BPS)
We support staff’s recommended next steps for BPS development, including foundational work,
monitoring statewide programs, and advocating for stronger incentives. We continue to view BPS as one
of the most scalable tools available to reduce emissions from large buildings, and urge the City to
maintain a clear pathway toward implementation—not just exploration.
Time of Sale: Voluntary Home Energy Score Pilot
We are especially excited about the City’s participation in the BayREN Home Energy Score pilot and offer
the SLO Climate Coalition as a ready partner in this work. We are prepared to integrate the Home Energy
Score immediately into our Home Energy Advising Service. The Home Energy Score can provide a
valuable data point to homeowners and prospective buyers, helping them make smart decisions about
energy costs and upgrade opportunities. With BayREN’s rebate support, we would be able to provide this
service at no cost as part of our standard Home Energy Visit, delivering even more value to the hundreds
of households we will serve each year. We urge the City to work quickly to operationalize this program
and to coordinate with local partners like us to maximize its reach and effectiveness.
Closing
This policy update is a critical oppor tunity for San Luis Obispo to align near-term actions with
long-standing climate commitments. The Climate Action Plan has set clear targets—now is the time for
bold implementation. The policy pathways laid out in the report are well-researched,
community-informed, and achievable with existing resources and with effective execution and
enforcement, proper monitoring, and iterative refinement, we will make meaningful progress towards
our goals.
We urge Council to adopt staff’s recommendations with a clear directive: implement, evaluate, and return
within 12 to 18 months with results and options for scaling. San Luis Obispo must lead not only in policy,
but in progress.
Thank you for your continued leadership.
Sincerely,
Eric Veium
Board Chair
SLO Climate Coalition