Dear Mayor Combs, Vice Mayor Nash, City Councilmembers, and Staff,
I am writing to express my support for Option 3 in staffs recommendation
where we would 1) expand pre-wiring, 2) move from adding new AC to
installing Heat Pumps, and 3) include the flex path option for major
residential remodels.
I am grateful for Councils leadership in 2020 when you ushered in the
Climate Action Plan for our city and earlier this summer when you asked
staff to look at a flex path option in addition to the pre-wiring and AC2HP
framework. Thank you!
Staff - I know it was a big lift to get this before the City Council on
such a tight timeframe, especially the flex path option. Thank you for
seeing the opportunity and rising to the occasion.
Proceeding with option #3 is an important step forward in the fight to
preserve a livable climate, and also yields near-term benefits of improved
air quality (indoors and outside) and increased efficiency and cost savings
from lower energy bills. It also demonstrates Menlo Parks continued
leadership in fighting climate change and preparing to implement the Bay
Area Air Districts new guidelines.
For those concerned about the costs of electrification, please see this RMI
study
which shows that electrification can save San Mateo County residents, on
average, $360/year on energy bills, with even greater savings for low
income customers on the CARE program. Also, Peninsula Clean Energy
offers
0% financing to help with this transition along with significant rebates.
Thank you,
Nancy Larocca Hedley
