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Peninsula-Silicon Valley Collaboration Recognized for Advancing Electrification in Building Codes, EV Infrastructure

For Immediate Release
July 1, 2020

Peninsula-Silicon Valley Collaboration Recognized for Advancing Electrification in Building Codes, EV Infrastructure

Joint effort supports growing movement for emissions-free new construction

Sunnyvale and Redwood City, Calif. – The Peninsula-Silicon Valley Reach Code Initiative Project has been named as a finalist for the Smart Electric Power Alliance's (SEPA) Power Players Awards, for trailblazing work in supporting cities' consideration and adoption of new building electrification and electric vehicle infrastructure codes that exceed those required by the state.

The collaborative project includes more than 30 local jurisdictions and two community energy agencies – Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and Peninsula Clean Energy. The SEPA Power Players Awards celebrate innovation and collaboration by utilities, industry partners and individuals shaping the future of electricity.

The project has been recognized for its scale of success in expanding local government building code enhancements that advance building and transportation decarbonization in new construction. The initiative is also distinguished by innovation in specific building codes along with its scope of support and coordination.

“We are proud to be part of such an industry-leading effort to advance cost-effective electrification,” said Howard Miller, SVCE Board Chair and City of Saratoga Mayor. “This effort would not have been possible without the leadership of many city councilmembers who took a stand against fossil fuels to make lasting change and protect future generations from climate change.”

In addition to the towns and cities that worked to pass reach codes within the cycle of the state’s regular building code updates, the partnership also included support from county, non-profit, and technical partners. The success of the effort has also spread outside of the SVCE and Peninsula Clean Energy service areas as other agencies have made use of the contracts, information, and resources the group developed to deliver electrification benefits cost-effectively.

“A key component of the work was ensuring it was adaptable and scalable for other cities to use and take advantage of what we’ve done,” said Jeff Aalfs, Peninsula Clean Energy Board Chair and Town of Portola Valley Mayor. “We also wanted to quicken the development of reach codes that are feasible with existing technology and reduce harmful heat-trapping emissions from our appliances and vehicles.”

To date, 15 jurisdictions in the SVCE and Peninsula Clean Energy service areas have adopted reach codes, with 13 of those taking a strong stance for all-electric codes and prohibitions on new gas hookups. Additional agencies are in progress towards code adoptions. The program, still ongoing, is delivering major advances in decarbonization through technical and programmatic approaches. As local amendments are often adopted and applied statewide, this initiative has the potential to inform major decarbonization efforts on a much larger scale.

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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a community-owned agency serving the majority of Santa Clara County communities, acquiring clean, carbon-free electricity on behalf of more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Member jurisdictions include Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Saratoga, Sunnyvale and unincorporated Santa Clara County. SVCE is guided by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of a representative from the governing body of each member community. For more information, please visit SVCleanEnergy.org.

About Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy launched in October 2016 as California’s fifth Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agency and is the official local electricity provider for all of San Mateo County. It is one of only two CCAs in California to obtain an investment-grade credit rating. While offering rates that save San Mateo County customers an estimated $18 million annually compared to PG&E, Peninsula Clean Energy is aggressively striving toward the goals of providing 100 percent greenhouse gas-free power by 2021 and 24/7 renewable power by 2025. Find out more at peninsulacleanenergy.com.

Media Contacts

Pamela Leonard
Silicon Valley Clean Energy
530-306-0122
pamela.leonard@svcleanenergy.org
Darren Goode
Peninsula Clean Energy
202-550-6619
dgoode@peninsulacleanenergy.com