March 3, 2026
Sierra Club Support for East Palo Alto Reach Code, March 3, 2026 Agenda Item 8.2
Dear Mayor Lincoln and East Palo Alto City Councilmembers,
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter supports the adoption of the staff recommended reach codes including Two-Way AC, FlexPath, and Electric Readiness policies. Our communities are already directly experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis, and the time for bold action is now.
Two-Way AC policies encourage residents and businesses to replace broken air conditioners with electric heat pumps. Heat pumps can provide both air conditioning and space heating, reduce climate pollution, improve air quality, and lower energy costs. Because heat pumps can both heat and cool homes, they can help to offset or completely eliminate the use and future replacement of fossil fuel powered furnaces.
FlexPath policies for single family homes encourage residents to install energy efficiency measures, such installing electric appliances or solar panels, during additions or alterations affecting 1,000 square feet or more. Existing electric appliances and efficiency measures would be counted when measuring efficiency. Such alterations present a great opportunity for residents to electrify, and electrification should occur at cost-effective and opportune times in a building’s life cycle.
Similarly, Electric Readiness policies also encourage single family residents to install electric ready circuits or conduits when they are conducting an alteration that would make electric readiness convenient.
These policies are pragmatic and flexible, including hardship and technical infeasibility exemptions, ensuring that no resident or business is forced into an action that would place an undue burden on them. Fortunately, the vast majority of homes can completely electrify on an existing 100 amp panel, so it is extremely unlikely that these exemptions will be utilized.
The proposed reach code is in line with East Palo Alto’s 2030 Climate Action Plan measures, including measures EW.1.2 “Promote commercial energy efficiency programs for existing buildings” and EW.1.3 "Promote residential energy efficiency programs for existing buildings.” The energy efficiency gains from this ordinance will also contribute towards the Climate Action Plan goal of reducing emissions by 55% per capita below 2005 levels by 2030.
On March 2, the San Mateo City Council unanimously adopted a reach code that contains all four key policy provisions which are proposed in East Palo Alto’s Code. East Palo Alto’s proposed policies can be compared to adopted policies of other cities such Los Gatos, Portola Valley, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and many other climate leaders. We are glad to see that East Palo Alto is using vetted and already adopted policies to reduce emissions and improve indoor and outdoor air quality.
Thank you for considering this urgently needed climate and public health action. We hope you adopt the ordinance as recommended by City staff.
Sincerely,
Dashiell Leeds
Conservation Coordinator
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter