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Peninsula Clean Energy to Give Special Recognition for Climate Action Leadership

Peninsula Clean Energy to Give Special Recognition for Climate Action Leadership

News Release -

February 4, 2025

Peninsula Clean Energy to Give Special Recognition for Climate Action Leadership

Trailblazing local building codes has sparked statewide impact

REDWOOD CITY, CA – Peninsula Clean Energy will give special recognition to the community of San Mateo County for its collaborative efforts in pioneering local and statewide climate-friendly building reach codes. 

Reach codes are local building codes that go beyond state requirements. Peninsula Clean Energy’s model reach codes provide a pathway for new buildings to be constructed without expensive gas hookups, as well as requiring new multifamily housing to offer electric vehicle charging to all tenants.

The State of California is incorporating key elements of our local reach codes into its own building codes, with new standards set to take effect on January 1, 2026. According to the California Energy Commission, the updated codes will save $4.8 billion in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million metric tons, which is the equivalent of preventing emissions from burning 9 trillion barrels of oil. 

The special celebratory recognition at Sustainable San Mateo County’s 26th Annual Sustainability Awards on April 3 will highlight the tireless work of local activists, city sustainability staff, local elected officials, regional partners and Peninsula Clean Energy in developing and implementing building reach codes that have not only transformed our region but are now shaping the future of California’s building standards. 

“Through bold action taken by local governments, our community is demonstrating how innovative building codes will yield major climate benefits and provide a roadmap for the rest of California to follow,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall said.

“Congratulations to San Mateo County’s visionary leaders for proving that local action can ignite statewide change,” said Donna Colson, Burlingame Councilmember and Chair of Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors. “Together, we’ve shown that our community’s leadership can have meaningful impact.”

The new California energy codes encourage installing heat pump systems in new homes and certain nonresidential buildings, replacing outdated HVAC systems in existing spaces with high-efficiency models, and ensuring commercial kitchens and multifamily buildings are electric-ready. They also build on Peninsula Clean Energy’s model codes by requiring equitable access to electric vehicle charging in all new multifamily residential units statewide, which will dramatically expand residential EV charging opportunities. 

This success story began in 2017, when savvy local advocates pitched the idea of reach codes to Peninsula Clean Energy. In 2018, Peninsula Clean Energy joined forces with Silicon Valley Clean Energy, the County of San Mateo Sustainability Department and other local partners to provide technical support and inspire cities to adopt reach codes. 

Over the years, nearly every jurisdiction in Silicon Valley has adopted these policies. They have proven the cost-effectiveness of all-electric homes, jump-started the market for electric heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems and made EV charging accessible for renters and condo owners in new buildings. 

The local momentum inspired a statewide movement, with 40 percent of California jurisdictions adopting electrification reach codes by 2023. This wave of innovation and leadership by San Mateo County and its neighbors paved the way for the California Energy Commission to take bold statewide action. 

Sustainable San Mateo County’s 26th Annual Sustainability Awards will take place on April 3 at College of San Mateo.

Other awards being presented at the April 3 ceremony include the 2025 Sustainability Awards, the Youth Sustainability Award, the Green Building Award presented with American Institute of Architects San Mateo County and the Ruth Peterson Award. 

About Peninsula Clean Energy

Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Aggregation agency. It is the official electricity provider for San Mateo County and for the City of Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency serves a population of 810,000 by providing more than 3,600 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 50 percent renewable, 100 percent clean and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Peninsula Clean Energy is on track to deliver electricity that is 100 percent renewable by 2025. Follow us at PenCleanEnergy.com, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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