EXISTING BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION
The City of Sacramento is developing a pathway to transition existing buildings to carbon-free electricity by 2045. Electrification of existing buildings is a crucial step in the City’s work to achieve carbon neutrality.
Framework for Existing Building Electrification
On June 1, 2021, the Sacramento City Council adopted a framework for existing building electrification (Resolution No. 2021-0166). The framework defines the timeline and objectives for developing a strategy to transition Sacramento’s existing buildings to electricity by 2045. The framework prioritizes engaging with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to plan an equitable transition, with a focus on historically marginalized communities of color, low-income communities, and small businesses. The planning process is underway, and City will deliver an electrification policy roadmap, or strategy, to City Council by summer 2023.
Background
In June 2020, the Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) released its final recommendations for the City of Sacramento and City of West Sacramento to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The recommendations included requiring new construction to be all-electric, in addition to transitioning 25% of existing residential and small commercial buildings to all electric by 2030, and 100% of existing buildings by 2045. In August 2020, the Sacramento City Council embraced the MCCC’s recommendations and directed staff to develop an ordinance for electrification of new construction and a strategy for existing building electrification, with a focus on under-resourced communities. In January 2021, City Council committed to building electrification as a key strategy for the 2040 General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan update.
City Council adopted the New Building Electrification Ordinance on June 1, 2021. The New Building Electrification Ordinance was readopted on November 29, 2022 in alignment with the 2022 California Building Standards Code and took effect on January 1, 2023.
More work is needed to develop an equitable strategy for existing building electrification. Through the planning process defined in the framework for existing building electrification, City staff will collaborate with community members, SMUD, and consultants to develop an equitable pathway to electrification for existing buildings.
Resources:
- March 1, 2023 Residential Building Electrification Workshop:
- March 8, 2023 Commercial Building Electrification Workshop:
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