Dear Mayor Combs, Vice Mayor Nash, and Menlo Park City Council Members,
I am writing today on behalf of Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, a
well-established local environmental nonprofit that works to enable
community-based solutions for a more stable and sustainable climate. First,
I sincerely appreciate your proactive leadership thus far in enacting smart
climate policies for the benefit of Menlo Park’s residents — including
incentives for gas-free gardening equipment, policies to broaden electric
vehicle use, and strong efforts supporting all-electric buildings. These
commendable policies deserve to be replicated more broadly throughout the
Bay Area. However, more work must be done.
I respectfully ask that the Council take timely action on Agenda Item G-2,
given the upcoming limitations imposed by AB 130 (originally from AB 306),
which will soon restrict the ability to implement new amendments to
building codes, even if such amendments were to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions or save costs.
The staff report regarding Agenda Item G-2 is thorough and well-crafted and
I concur with the report’s decision supporting Option A (AC to heat pump)
and Option B (pre-wiring requirement). Regarding Option B, it is important
for residents to understand that advance planning regarding load management
(in terms of appliance usage patterns, timing, and right-sizing) can avoid
the need for costly panel upgrades.
Please consider approving Policy Option C (flex path) in addition to
Options A and B. The large size of major remodel projects means higher
potential impact to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This could be a crucial
opportunity, truly our last for the next six years, to take comprehensive
action.
Thank you again for your dedication to a sustainable future for Menlo Park.
Sincerely,
Wendy Chou
*Wendy Chou (she/her)*
Coalition and Project Senior Manager
Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet
408-459-9073
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2facterra.org&c=E,1,ibG_rmjMilVV5xJwHrFWK5ocTWkW9nKGfj2jdPwY7kYF-Y_MhNyn2otbxMk--bduU22Cm-X4HlhYK3hl3VRxzcirANqoHxA4Yd9UxeeMAJ70&typo=1 | Subscribe
Acterra staff use self-identified pronouns to
support workplace inclusion for everyone.
I respectfully acknowledge that my work takes place on the ancestral and
unceded land of the of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Whose land are you on?
We practice Slow Fridays . Messages
received on Fridays may have a delayed response.
