More than two dozen local government officials in California recently signed a letter urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to back a statewide all-electric mandate for all new building construction.
This action is needed, the officials say, after a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling this year nullified the city of Berkeley’s ban on natural gas hookups on new buildings. In 2019, Berkeley became the first U.S. city to ban gas in new buildings for all uses including heating and hot water.
Currently, more than 75 California municipalities have “a form of building electrification requirement in place via their local codes,” according to a letter from the officials to Newsom.
The Berkeley decision could be reversed in court, but that could take several years. In the meantime, local electrification requirements are at risk of being overturned in court.
“Without your administration stepping in … many municipalities will be forced to backtrack on progress cutting emissions from buildings, due to insufficient resources to fight frivolous and opportunistic lawsuits,” the letter reads. “The best path forward in light of recent legal challenges is to follow the lead of local jurisdictions and pursue statewide implementation of common-sense clean emission measures for buildings.”
Related Stories
| Oct 18, 2013
AGC considers suit over new hiring goals for vets, disabled
The Associated General Contractors of America and the HR Policy Association are reportedly considering taking legal action over the Labor Department's new hiring goals for veterans and disabled people.
| Oct 18, 2013
Cities may be more capable of driving sustainability than nations, experts say
With countries not tackling climate change aggressively, cities are in the best position to drive increased sustainability.
| Oct 8, 2013
Kansas City board OKs $1.6 billion TIF for $4.3 billion redevelopment project
Kansas City’s Tax Increment Financing Commission voted unanimously to forward the Bannister & I-435 TIF Plan to the Kansas City Council for approval.
| Oct 8, 2013
New Orleans advances $1 billion construction plan including new airport terminal
New Orleans plans to invest $1.1 billion in construction projects over the next five years.
| Oct 8, 2013
Report on large New York City buildings shows progress on energy efficiency
Buildings in New York City have been found to have a median score of 67 out of 100 in Energy Star's Portfolio Manager, an increase from 64 last year, and above the national average of 50, according to a study prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council for the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
| Oct 8, 2013
ConsensusDocs offers online prequalification management application to boost industry efficiency
In collaboration with ConsensusDocs, iSqFt has launched a new online platform designed to make the prequalification process for contractors and subcontractors seeking new work more efficient.
| Oct 8, 2013
Government shutdown closes E-Verify, could hamper construction hiring
E-Verify, the online federal program used to check the immigration status of prospective hires, has been closed due to the federal government shutdown.
| Oct 3, 2013
Florida contractors worry that regulations will hamper their ability to hire
Regulations such as the E-Verify rule and the Affordable Care Act could hinder contractors from hiring additional workers, according to some Florida contractors.
| Oct 3, 2013
Fall protection violations top OSHA citations list
Violations of fall-protection standards in fiscal 2013 are again the most frequent source of citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to its top 10 list.
| Oct 3, 2013
Arizona utility pushes for change in building codes to boost efficiency on all commercial projects
Many large construction projects in Arizona are going green by paying attention to energy efficiency, but smaller buildings that are often rented out haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon.
