Dear City Council Members, I am writing to urge you to reject or amend the EQC's recommendations relating to the replacement of gas-fired appliances for existing homes.
While mandates for new construction are reasonable, easily engineered and cost-effectively implemented, retrofitting existing homes to go from say a gas water heater to a electric heat pump, particularly older homes, could be incredibly burdensome and cost prohibitive, particularly for seniors and lower income Menlo Park residents.
It is laudable what we are doing as a city to address the growing threat of climate change and we should continue these efforts urgently. However, the EQC's recommendations, while well-intentioned, will surely have a disproportionate and disparate impact on many Menlo Park residents.
Thank you for your consideration.
Amar Murugan
Menlo Park Resident
