The City of Martinez signed a Climate Emergency Resolution (CER), on April 21^st, 2021, recognizing this was important for the “City to provide additional emphasis on things that the City of Martinez can do to further advance its commitment to its own conservation, resilience and sustainability programs”.

In doing so, Martinez joined over 1,000 local jurisdictions worldwide, including many in the SF Bay Area, in committing to reducing GHG emissions and planning for climate change.  

To this end, the Climate Emergency Resolution specifically mentioned developing policies that require new construction in Martinez to be fully electric. This is a logical step in reducing GHG emissions in Martinez as the 2009 Climate Action Plan documented that 21.5% of Martinez’s GHG emissions come from the use of natural gas in commercial and residential buildings (2005 figures).

We understand that the City may present its draft of a new building electrification ordinance at a council meeting in September (either the 14^th or 21^st). It is important that the council hear that the residents of Martinez support this important first step in reducing greenhouse gases and improving the health and well-being of its residents.

Why go All Electric in New Construction? To Combat Climate Change:

• Natural gas is primarily methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Significant leakage of methane directly to the atmosphere occurs during its production, distribution, storage, and its use in the home, even when appliances are shut off. With this leakage, natural gas is nearly as dirty a fuel as coal. Burning natural gas also releases CO2.
• Approximately 21.5% percent of Martinez’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2005 came from the use of natural gas in the buildings we live and work in - mostly for space and water heating. As our electric grid gets steadily cleaner, building electrification will play a big role in fighting climate change.

To Reduce Public Health and Safety Risks:

• Indoor air pollution: Using natural gas appliances releases toxic combustion byproducts (such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde, and ultra-fine particles) into our indoor air with serious long-term health impacts, especially for children and the elderly. Gas stoves are associated with increased risk of dementia.
• Fire hazards: following the 1994 Northridge earthquake (magnitude 6.7), 50% of the fires were caused by natural gas leaks or ruptures.
• Explosions: Remember the 2010 San Bruno gas line explosion? There are more than 650,000 miles of gas transmission, distribution and service pipelines throughout California and California’s two major gas utilities get reports of gas leaks or emergencies more than ONCE EVERY MINUTE – 75 per hour and more than 1,800 per day.

To Save Money and Avoid Stranded Assets:

• All-electric new homes are less expensive to build than mixed-fuel homes. The most significant cost savings result from the avoided costs of installing the underground gas piping (from the gas main to the gas meter) and the gas piping inside the home.
• Well-built, all-electric new homes that meet California’s stringent energy code should see utility costs no higher than mixed-fuel homes.
• Historically, prices for natural gas have been much more volatile than prices for electricity, and State-funded research has found that in the future natural gas utility rates will be climbing steeply.
• Underground gas piping installed today will last 30-50 years. This infrastructure will become obsolete well before its end of useful life.
• Buildings typically last more than 50 years. If new ones are built with gas infrastructure and appliances, they will become a costly retrofit challenge down the road.
• PG&E acknowledges that we are moving inexorably toward all-electric buildings and away from using natural gas – and supports that shift.

We, the undersigned, are in support of the City Council passing a new building electrification ordinance.