Cities across San Mateo County are joining together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing building and transportation reach codes. Reach codes have already been adopted by the cities of Brisbane, Menlo Park, Pacifica, and San Mateo and are under consideration by other municipalities.
What Are Reach Codes?
Reach codes provide an opportunity for local governments to enhance state building codes and provide even higher energy standards for construction of new homes and commercial buildings. The enhancements encourage low-cost all-electric new construction while making it easier to charge electric vehicles.
Reach codes can include a variety of measures. They may include electrical wiring to allow for electric vehicle charging, or other measures that reduce or eliminate fossil fuels in favor of cleaner and safer electric options. For example, instead of gas appliances (which pollute) for space heating or water heating, the codes favor the latest high-efficiency electric heat pump technologies.
Why Develop Reach Codes?
Reach codes help:
- reduce construction cost
- achieve sustainability goals for the community
- improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of fires
Electric homes and buildings are safe, healthy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective over the life of the building or home, especially for new construction. Electrifying homes and powering them with clean, greenhouse gas-free power sources such as solar, wind and hydro are critical steps to fighting global climate change and protecting our environment.
Residents and businesses can attend city council meetings and visit city websites to stay informed on reach code developments in their community.
Additional information about reach codes can be found on our
website
.
