Dear City Council Members and Environmental Quality Commissioners,
I’m pleased to see two important climate topics on the EQC agenda this week, discussion building electrification and staff resources to carry out our high priority Climate Action Plan. I appreciate so much all of the effort on the part of commissioners, staff, and city leaders to move forward on the Climate Plan with a sense of urgency that matches the moment that we’re in, widely described as a “Code Red for Humanity” on climate.
It was great to see five electrification measures move forward for development at the city council study session on August 31st. In particular, please prioritize assistance for low-income families and affordable housing – helping families replace gas use in their homes will improve their health, and resilience, especially with clean electric appliances that include cooling together with heating. To do this, we need funding from the voter-approved Utility User Tax (UUT) – please also prioritize this action for swift attention so that we can begin collecting the funds we need for an equitable and affordable phase out of gas. If additional staff are needed to help carry out these urgently needed climate measures, i hope you’ll dedicate the resources necessary to achieve that!
Please also be aware of two important programs that can help the City make progress phasing out methane gas (aka natural gas). Peninsula Clean Energy recently launched a new program to provide full home retrofits to low-income homes through a no-cost turnkey service (detailed below). While the program cannot cover every home that qualifies in Menlo Park, it provides excellent scaffolding on which to grow a larger program.
It is also important to know that a free service from HomeIntel provides Help to Save Energy & Electrify! This program is free for every utility customer and produces roughly $300 in savings per year. About the program:
Owners and Renters get help lowering energy bills and building your home electrification plan with the FREE HomeIntel program provided by PG&E. HomeIntel gives the most complete online analysis of all your energy use & costs, coaching from experts, customized savings and electrification recommendations, and monthly reports to track your progress. Anyone can sign up at MyHome.hea.com.
Thank you for being a climate leader, making our communities more resilient and healthier!
Warm regards,
Diane Bailey
Diane Bailey (she/her), Climate Change Professional (CC-P) | Executive Director
MENLO SPARK
diane@menlospark.org | 650-281-7073
Visit us: www.MenloSpark.org & www.FossilFreeBuildings.org
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Climate Neutral for a Healthy, Prosperous Menlo Park
EV, PV & Fossil Free: Guides for Electric Cars, solar & Fossil Free Homes at: http://menlospark.org/what-we-do/
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it. – Amanda Gorman
From: > on behalf of Darren Goode >
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM
To: Diane Bailey >
Subject: NEWS: Peninsula Clean Energy Launches Income-Qualified Home Upgrade Program
[https://meltwater-apps-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/58aca1ce1c4b3403503c8134/blobid0_1609811533263.png]
Peninsula Clean Energy Launches Income-Qualified Home Upgrade Program
Provides turnkey, no-cost electrification, efficiency and other improvements
REDWOOD CITY, CA – Sept. 28, 2021 – Peninsula Clean Energy has launched an effort to provide income-qualified San Mateo County residents with no-cost appliance electrification, energy-efficiency and other home repairs and upgrades.
The Home Upgrade Program will focus on critical needs for income-qualified residents who own single-family homes that use methane gas or propane for heating or cooking and who would otherwise be unable to afford the repairs and upgrades. These upgrades include both clean electrification and efficiency as well as other repairs to improve the health and safety of the homes.
It will fill gaps left by existing income-qualified programs that either do not fund certain electrification or other health and safety improvements, or do not cover all or most of the cost of the install. Eligible upgrades include window and door repair and replacement; stairs and hand railing repairs; replacing old carpet with flooring; removing mold, asbestos and other hazards; and installing electric appliances, such as heat pump water heaters and dryers. Peninsula Clean Energy’s program will also leverage other programs to maximize the extent of the home improvements.
The goal is to assist 200 homes over two years, at an expected average budget per home of $6,500.The first 20 homes upgraded in the program will help establish additional program structure that can be used moving forward, including standardized processes, contractor and other cost data.
“Investing in underserved communities is a critical part of Peninsula Clean Energy’s strategy to curb carbon emissions within San Mateo County and reflects our efforts to ensure that the benefits of doing so are shared equitably,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, who is also the founding chair of the Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors. “Through this effort, residents will benefit from valuable home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades while helping to inform how a longer-term investment program can improve and expand.”
“Cleaner and safer homes should be a right for all of our residents,” said Ortensia Lopez, executive director of El Concilio of San Mateo County. “As we move toward electrification as part of a cleaner economy, we must ensure that low-income residents are not left behind in the transition.”
To apply for the program and for more information on eligibility and other details, visit https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/home-upgrade-program/.
About Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency. It is the official electricity provider for San Mateo County and, beginning in 2022, for the City of Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county, the agency serves 295,000 customers by providing more than 3,500 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 100 percent carbon-free and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Peninsula Clean Energy is on track to deliver electricity that is 100 percent renewable by 2025. The agency has earned investment grade credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch.
Follow us at PenCleanEnergy.com, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Darren Goode
Peninsula Clean Energy
dgoode@peninsulacleanenergy.com
202-550-6619
This email was sent to diane@menlospark.org
Peninsula Clean Energy, 2075 Woodside Rd, Redwood City, CA 94061, United States
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