Three Central Coast Cities are taking the lead in the shift toward clean energy in the region and nation-wide.
In a recent analysis of efforts by thirty small cities across the country to cut energy waste and promote clean energy, San Luis Obispo and Goleta claimed the top two spots.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), which conducted the analysis noted that San Luis Obispo achieved the top score, “earning points for its policy incentivizing all-electric equipment and appliances in new buildings and for participating in a program that offers carbon-free electricity to residents.”
The City of Goleta tied for second place, scoring well for building policies and policies regarding energy and water utilities – notably their Community Choice Energy program.
Meanwhile, changes are also afoot in Santa Barbara with the City Council recently voting to move forward with an Energy Code Amendment the would require new buildings to be all-electric instead of the mixed fuel approach that is now code compliant.
Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council, which helped shepherd support for the move, emphasized that in the context of an increasingly clean electric grid, “these new buildings will help make zero carbon communities possible and will get us a step closer to the City’s goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035.”
A vote on finalized code language is expected as soon as February. Stay tuned!
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