ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings was the focus of the Aug. 14 Elk Grove City Council meeting, with questions of how to balance the city’s goal of addressing climate change with the costs faced by homeowners and business owners.

Carrie Whitlock, strategic planning and innovation program manager, made the presentation, which is part of development on the Climate Compass, the city’s plan to meet its climate, sustainability and resilience goals. City Council did not take formal action on the informational item.

Building sector emissions made up 38% of Elk Grove’s greenhouse emissions in 2021; these emissions come from electricity generation for residential and nonresidential buildings, from residential and nonresidential natural gas and from backup generators.

Based on state forecasts, the city’s overall emissions will decrease slightly by 2030 but the proportion of emissions from buildings will grow to 46%. The graph does not account for Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s pledge to reach zero carbon emissions by 2030; Whitlock said if the district succeeds, this would eliminate the electricity emissions.

By 2045, overall emissions are projected to drop by more than half. Building emissions would make up more than 52% of the total, with natural gas as the only contributor. 

Whitlock said the lack of electricity emissions is due to a state law requiring all electricity to come from renewable sources by 2045.

In both 2030 and 2045, a significant gap remains between the emissions currently projected and the state-mandated target.

Whitlock detailed potential strategies to lower emissions. One possibility involved creating a “reach code” that sets a higher standard in a certain metric for new construction, major renovations and appliance retrofits. For existing structures, this could be triggered at the time of retrofit. She said this policy would allow flexibility in which fuel source a house will use. The city of Sacramento has adopted a similar policy, and Sacramento County is considering its own.

For existing developments, the city could develop a comprehensive building energy retrofit plan aimed at decarbonization. This choice would delay implementation until after the plan is complete, and the extent of emissions benefits would depend on the plan’s details.

Another suggestion was to raise the minimum percentage of new residential development that must be all-electric. Whitlock said 43% of Elk Grove’s new development is all-electric, above the city’s current quota. She noted that the concept could have a “significant impact” on emissions, depending on the new minimum, but it gives less fuel-source flexibility.

Additionally, Whitlock was concerned such a regulation could run afoul of a recent federal court decision that prevents local governments from regulating the amount of natural gas used on a property.

Representatives of Realtors and building trades supported reducing emissions but urged City Council to assist homeowners and mitigate effects on housing costs.

Joshua Oken, government affairs coordinator for Sacramento Association of Realtors, commended Elk Grove for taking steps on climate change.

“However, it is crucial to our fight against climate change does not inadvertently place undue burdens on homeowners and prospective homeowners within our communities,” Oken said, adding that rising house prices disproportionately affect first-time buyers. He supported a program to recycle old appliances and said education is important for residents to engage.

Vance Jarrard, a legislative advocate for North State Building Industry Association, said his group sees “challenges” in how a reach code could raise housing costs and looks forward to continuing discussion.

Councilmember Darren Suen supported city-funded grants to help existing residents meet new standards.

Registering surprise at the proportion of new all-electric housing, Suen asked Jarrard to comment on the trend.

“In general, I would say that the trend is going toward more electric overall. I think homebuilders see that there is a desire for it in the market and a push from the state to head in that direction,” Jarrard said. He continued that developers have concerns about the ability of utilities to meet the higher electricity demand.

Vice-Mayor Rod Brewer agreed with Suen on retrofit costs; he supported working with banks to create homeowner incentives.

Councilmember Kevin Spease asked about the triggers for the reach code proposal, which Whitlock said would have to be defined while developing the policy. Spease asked to involve the restaurant industry in discussions.

Councilmember Sergio Robles reiterated the need to involve industries.

“Let’s just make sure that we’re not affecting the first-generation business owners, the first-generation restaurants at a time when they’re closing all over the region,” Robles said.

Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen pointed to the practical and legal concerns with the proposals as the “greatest challenge” and emphasized avoiding harm to low-income residents.