Sacramento takes another step toward goal of carbon neutrality
(FOX40.COM) — Nearly two years ago, California unveiled a plan to implement the most ambitious climate action of any authority in the world, which included getting the state to be carbon neutral by 2045, and doing its part to help achieve that goal is the city of Sacramento.
The strategy, referred to as the “Existing Building Electrification Strategy,” does not set requirements but is focused on the creation of future ordinances that will keep the gas-to-electricity change in mind. The strategy also doesn’t recommend requirements for stoves in homes or restaurants.
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Sacramento Senior Planner Vic Randall said in a statement, “Existing building electrification is a key element of the city’s pathway to achieving its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 and is also expected to provide long-term public health and economic benefits in Sacramento.”
In June 2020, Sacramento and West Sacramento received recommendations from a climate change commission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, which included requiring new construction to be all-electric, transitioning 25% of existing residential and small commercial buildings to all-electric by 2030, and 100% of existing buildings by 2045.
In 2021, Sacramento approved the framework for the existing building electrification that defined a timeline and objectives for transitioning the city’s buildings to fully electric.
“The framework prioritizes engaging with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to plan an equitable transition, with a focus on historically marginalized communities of color, low-income communities, and small businesses,” the city said.
The electrification project also included the introduction of XeroHome, a free home energy modeling platform that Sacramento residents can use to get customized information about cost-effective electricity-based projects for their homes.
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Laura Tuller, an associate planner for Sacramento, said, “We heard from community members that these different building types have unique needs and should be treated differently…We believe the strategy takes an approach that balances equity, the cost-effectiveness of electrification, and the need to take decisive climate action.”
The city of Sacramento added that its building transition strategy will primarily focus on policies for single-unit and small multi-unit residential buildings along with commercial non-residential and large multi-unit residential buildings.
City staff said they will prepare legislation for approval with the 2025 California Building Standards Code and added that it is expected to be effective by the beginning of 2026.
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