HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/3/2019 Item 18, Gentry
From:Jay Gentry <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Electrification Reach Code
San Luis Obispo City Council:
My name is Jay Gentry and I am on the board of Passive House California. Last Thursday, I had the
opportunity to attend an all day event in your lovely city that included an excellent panel focused on
electrification of new construction residential buildings. At the event I learned from some SLO residents
involved in the program that SLO is considering adoption of a Reach Code that encourages that encourages
all-electric new construction. BRAVO!
The locals also told me that there is some opposition to the adoption of the Reach Code and asked if I
would be willing to add my voice to those who are working in support of this important step toward carbon-
neutrality in SLO.
Since Reach Codes are optional and simply provide those who are interested in going beyond code the
opportunity to do so, I believe that this particular Reach Code does provide some incentives for electrification
(in addition to the cost savings, safety, and health benefits) but DOES NOT LIMIT the choices available to
those who prefer to build in compliance with the current California and SLO codes. The availability of the
Reach Code is just an additional pathway for those who wish to build and live in buildings that do not include
natural gas. Approval of the Reach Code essentially provides and encourages the option of electrification, but
all other existing options remain.
The question is not “Why should we approve it?” but rather, “Why would we not?”.
I do live on the Central Coast (well north of SLO) and I strongly support your adoption of the
electrification Reach Code.
It is my understanding that that SLO is one of about 50 California jurisdictions that have adopted, or are
in the process of adopting, the Reach Code for electrification. It is an important and environmentally
responsible step toward an all-renewable, carbon-free future for California.
Jay Gentry
Passive House California Board of Directors
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Jay M. Gentry
President, Con-Com-T, Inc
258 Del Mesa Carmel
Carmel, CA 93923-7959
Phone: 831-320-8538
EMail: jay@concomt.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jay-gentry/1/aa3/782
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