TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Sheryl D. Bratton, County Counsel
REPORT BY: Jason M. Dooley, Deputy
SUBJECT: Reach Ordinance adopting local modifications of the 2022 edition of the California Energy Code
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt an Ordinance adopting local modifications of the 2022 edition of the California Energy Code to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce the impacts of climate change. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
In 2023, the Napa County Climate Action Committee (CAC) oversaw the preparation of a regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for the unincorporated area and the cities and town. The regional GHG inventory was accepted by the Board of Supervisors in December of 2023. Using 2019 as the baseline, the inventory estimated that building energy use in the unincorporated area resulted in the emission of 61,068 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). Buildings contributed 16.2 percent of the total GHG emissions for the unincorporated area in 2019.
The 2008 Napa County General Plan specifically addressed this issue in Action Item CON CPSP-2:
"The County shall conduct a GHG emission inventory analysis of all major emission sources in the County by the year 2008 in a manner consistent with Assembly Bill 32, and then seek reductions such that emissions are equivalent to year 1990 levels by the year 2020. Development of a reduction plan shall include consideration of a "green building" ordinance and other mechanisms that are shown to be effective at reducing emissions."
Over the past several years, a number of jurisdictions in California have adopted reach building codes to encourage or require all-electric homes and businesses in new construction, based on concerns for either health and/or greenhouse gas emissions. The California Energy Commission (CEC) currently list 39 jurisdictions with reach codes, the majority of which are located in the Bay Area (https://localenergycodes.com).
During the July...
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