Loading...
SC 10-24-2019 Item 2 HandoutsVideo link: “Peninsula Developer Talks About Challenges of Building in Bay Area,” October 22, 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KDmPK5aDmI COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/29/19 city of ffr 2 SAN JOSE FILE: 19-977 ITEM: 2.10 CITY OF Memorandum CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: Kerrie Romano w Rosalynn Hughey SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: October 8,2019 Approved Date SUBJECT: ORDINANCE PROHIBITING NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, SINGLE-FAMILY, AND LOW-RISE MULTI-FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION AND POLICY FOR MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS RECOMMENDATION (a) Approve an ordinance of the City of San Jose adding a new Chapter 17.845 to Title 17 of the San Jose Municipal Code to Prohibit Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Single- Family, Low-Rise Multi-Family Buildings (three stories and under), and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. (b) Adopt a resolution to approve a new Council Policy Number 8-15, entitled, “Natural Gas Infrastructure in Municipal Buildings.” OUTCOME City Council approval of these two actions, an ordinance prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in new low rise residential construction and a resolution for municipal facilities, will further community-wide progress on meeting the goals of the following Climate Smart San Jose strategies: 1. Strategy 1.1: Transition to a renewable energy future 2. Strategy 2.2: Make homes efficient and affordable for our residents BACKGROUND These two actions are the next steps in the City of San Jose’s leadership role in addressing critical environmental challenges. On September 17,22019, City Council approved the “Reach Code” which requires increased building efficiencies for new construction beyond that which is required by state law. In taking that action, Council also directed staff to return to Council in October 2019 with an ordinance prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in new detached accessory dwelling units, single-family, and low-rise multi-family building (three stories and under) starting January 1, 2020. Council further directed staff to return to Council with a policy prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in all new municipal construction, with exceptions allowed for emergency equipment or micro-grids providing energy resiliency in anticipation of extended blackouts and de-energization of the grid. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL October 8, 2019 Subject: Ordinance Prohibiting Natural Gas Infrastructure in Detached Accessory Dwelling Units, Single- Family, and Low-Rise Multi-Family New Construction and Policy for Municipal Buildings Page 2 ANALYSIS The City remains a leader in addressing the environmental crisis, from its approval of Climate Smart San Jose to the adoption of the Reach Code Ordinance and declaration of a Climate Emergency last month. The City’s unique local, geological, topographical and climatic conditions make it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the changing climate, including risk of devastation from flood or fire. A rise in temperature increases the risks associated with climate change and its impact on local conditions. In September 2019, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Climate Change issued its report, The Heat is On: Taking Stock of Global Climate Ambition which concludes that the climate crises is more urgent than previously projected. With global emissions on the rise, local governments play an increasingly critical role in curbing emissions. Replacing natural gas with near carbon-free electricity in low- rise residential buildings (three stories and under) and municipal buildings will help the City meet its Climate Smart goals and help mitigate the impact of climate change on local conditions, while also setting an example for other cities to follow. The ordinance prohibiting natural gas infrastructure (i.e. natural gas piping to heat water, space, food, etc.) in new detached accessory dwelling units, single family, and low-rise multi-family buildings, excluding low-rise hotels and motels, is expected to have a significant positive impact on future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector. According the City’s latest five-year development forecast, San Jose can conservatively expect approximately 350 single family new residences and 2400 new multi-family residences per year. Since the ordinance applies to low-rise residential including single family and multi-family buildings of three stories or less, the projected GHG emissions offset by this ordinance over the estimated 50-year lifecycle of these buildings is at least 105,000 MT of C02e. However, due to a lack of disaggregated data available, it is important to note that emissions from multi-family buildings were not included in this analysis; therefore, GHG emissions offset by the ordinance are expected to be much greater. Furthermore, the ordinance will help the City of San Jose reach its Climate Smart goals and transition the building industry toward electrification. The proposed Council Policy Number 8-15, entitled, “Natural Gas Infrastructure in Municipal Buildings” (attached) requires all new municipal facilities to be constructed without natural gas infrastructure such as pipes, meters, appliances and equipment. All new municipal buildings will be designed and constructed without provisions for gas piping infrastructure that utilize fossil fuel (e.g. natural gas, propane, heating oil). As explained in more detail in the Policy, exceptions are contemplated for: 1. Emergency or backup power equipment that is used in the event of power outages. 2. Microgrids that provide energy resiliency in anticipation of extended blackouts or de­ energization of the grid. 3. City corporation yards and the Police Substation where vehicle fueling takes place 4. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport facilities that process, transport or store aviation and/or vehicle fuel. 5. San Jose - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility which relies on blended biogas/natural gas to operate. 6. This Policy does not apply to the renovation, retrofit, remodel, or reconfiguration of existing buildings that already have gas infrastructure. This policy builds on Council’s previous direction (February 12, 2019, item 3.4, referenced above). It ensures that new municipal buildings are constructed without natural gas infrastructure, allowing the City to lead by example in pursuing building electrification. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL October 8, 2019 Subject: Ordinance Prohibiting Natural Gas Infrastructure in Detached Accessory Dwelling Units, Single- Family, and Low-Rise Multi-Family New Construction and Policy for Municipal Buildings Page 3 EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP Staff will return to Council by January 2020 with an analysis as to whether or not the City should require building electrification for all wood-frame construction up to seven stories. In addition, staff will track data associated with the compliance of the reach code and report back to Council in May 2021 and annually thereafter. Staff will provide progress updates to Transportation and Environment Committee and City Council on Climate Smart San Jose activities on a semi-annual basis. PUBLIC OUTREACH This memorandum will be posted on the City’s website for the October 29, 2019 City Council’s Agenda website. COORDINATION This memorandum has been coordinated with the City’s Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, Planning, Building & Code Enforcement, San Jose Clean Energy, and Public Works. COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL October 8,2019 Subject: Ordinance Prohibiting Natural Gas Infrastructure in Detached Accessory Dwelling Units, Single- Family, and Low-Rise Multi-Family New Construction and Policy for Municipal Buildings Page 4 There is no commission recommendation/input associated with this action. FISCAL/POLICY ALIGNMENT Requiring new construction to be built without natural gas infrastructure and as a policy for new municipal facilities align with Climate Smart San Jose strategies and the City’s Envision 2040 General Plan approved by City Council. CEOA Categorically Exempt, File No. PP19-067, CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment. /s/ ROSALYNN HUGHEY Director, Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement /s/ KERRIE ROMANOW Director, Environmental Services For questions, please contact Ken Davies, Deputy Director, at (408) 975-2587. Attachment: Council Policy Number 8-15, entitled, “Natural Gas Infrastructure in Municipal Buildings” ATTACHMENT City of San Jose, California DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY TITLE NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MUNICIPAL FACILITIES PAGE 1 of 1 POLICY NUMBER 8-15 EFFECTIVE DATE REVISED DATE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ACTION BACKGROUND In February 2018, the City adopted Climate Smart San Jose which sets aggressive goals around electric vehicle adoption, solar installation, and zero net energy/carbon buildings. Municipal construction presents an opportunity for the City to incorporate these goals into its new building inventory. PURPOSE This policy establishes leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change by requiring all new municipal facilities to be constructed without natural gas infrastructure such as pipes, meters, appliances, and equipment. This policy supplements the City’s existing Green Building Policy 8-13. POLICY All new municipal buildings will be designed and constructed without provisions for natural gas piping infrastructure. Exceptions to this policy are listed below. Project-specific exceptions to this Policy may be approved by the City Council. All existing buildings that undergo major renovation, retrofit, or remodel will be evaluated for the elimination of natural gas infrastructure during the scoping and preliminary design process, with the goal of eliminating natural gas infrastructure where feasible, as determined by the Director of Public Works. Exceptions to this Policy: • Emergency or backup power equipment that is used in the event of power outages. • Microgrids that provide energy resiliency in anticipation of extended blackouts or de­ energization of the grid. • City corporation yards and the Police Substation where vehicle fueling takes place • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport Central Utilities Plant, commercial concessions, and facilities that process, transport or store aviation and/or vehicle fuel. • San Jose - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility which relies on blended biogas/natural gas to operate. RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 1 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 17.845 TO TITLE 17 OF THE SAN JOSE MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROHIBIT NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW SINGLE-FAMILY, LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, AND DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 17922, 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, the City of San José (“City”) may adopt the provisions of the Green Building Standards Code and Building Efficiency Energy Standards with certain amendments to those provisions which are reasonably necessary to protect the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of San José because of local climatic, geological and topographical conditions; and WHEREAS, on September 17, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 79251 declaring a Climate Emergency within the City and the City Council adopts and incorporates the findings in that Resolution; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby makes the following findings with respect to local geological, topographical and climatic conditions relating to the amendments to the California Codes for which such findings are required: A. The San Francisco Bay area region is densely populated and located in an area of high seismic activities. The City is bounded by the Hayward and San Andreas faults capable of producing major earthquakes; and B. Concern for fire-life safety associated with gas appliances and associated piping located in the ground and in the buildings increases with the risk of explosion or RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 2 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. fire if there is a structural failure due to a seismic event considering the increasing number of buildings in the region; and C. Severe seismic events could disrupt communications, damage gas mains, and place extreme demands on the limited and widely dispersed resources of the Fire Department necessary for the life safety needs of the community; and D. The local geographic, topographic, and climatic conditions pose an increased hazard in acceleration, spread, magnitude, and severity of potential fires in the City, and may cause a delayed response from emergency responders, allowing further growth of the fire; and E. Over the next century, increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrates are expected to result in global temperature increases, causing a variety of local changes, including extreme weather conditions, sea level rise, more frequent heat waves and extended period of drought. Local geographic, topographic, and climatic conditions include increased risk of the following: 1. Fires: In addition to the increased risk as a result of earthquakes, the City is surrounded by hills both within City limits and adjacent to them. The dry brush and steep terrain are particularly susceptible to wildfires. The City, through its Fire Department, has designated approximately 54.5 square miles of the City’s 180 square miles of incorporated area as Wildland Urban Interface (“WUI”). These areas in in the southwestern and southeastern areas of the City known as the Almaden Valley and East Foothills which allows for heightened construction and regulatory standards to mitigate the spread of wildfires. In addition, wildfires located outside of the area in 2018 created a blanket of toxic smoke over the City, RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 3 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. causing the worst air quality on record by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for two consecutive weeks; and 2. Landslides: Extreme storms as a result of climate change increases the chance of rainfall-induced landslide; fire and drought may kill vegetation on the City’s WUI, increasing runoff and potential for landslide; and 3. Drought: Prolonged period of drought as a result of climate change may deplete reservoirs and the groundwater basin serving San José; and 4. Flooding: Extreme weather conditions such as sudden, prolonged rainfall as result of climate change could also result in a spillover from local dams, including the Anderson Dam, which can result in flooding of local creeks which run through San José, such as the Coyote Creek, as the City experienced in 2017; and 5. Sea Level Rise: Sea level rise as a result of climate change will have a dramatic local impact on the City. The City’s Alviso area borders the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and is at an increased risk of flooding; and 6. Heat: Increased heat as a result of climate change can have a local impact on the health, safety, and welfare of the City’s population, especially those without resources to purchase air conditioning, the elderly, disabled, or those with children; and F. Failure to address and substantially reduce Greenhouse Gas creates an increased risk to the health, safety and welfare of the City residents; and the City Council considers and adopts as findings the analysis contained in Kerrie RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 4 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. Romanow and Rosalynn Hughey’s Memorandum dated August 21, 2019 and the staff presentation at the September 17, 2019 City Council meeting; and G. Amendments to the California Codes have been adopted in the past by the City Council based on specific findings of local geographic, topographic and climatic conditions; and the City Council hereby reaffirms such findings and confirms that the facts on which such findings were based continue to exist; and H. The provisions of this Ordinance establishing certain more restrictive standards than the California Codes will better serve to prevent or minimize structural and environmental damage resulting from local conditions; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby makes the following additional findings with respect to cost effectiveness of any amendments to the California Codes for which such findings are required: A. An August 1, 2019 Low Rise Residential Reach Code Cost Effectiveness Study prepared by Frontier Energy, Inc. and Misti Bruceri & Associates, LLC, funded by California utility ratepayers and submitted to the California Energy Commission supports and documents the cost-effectiveness of the Ordinance; and B. A July 25, 2019 Non-residential New Construction Reach Code Cost Effectiveness Study prepared by TRC Advanced Energy and Energy Soft, funded by California utility ratepayers and submitted to the California Energy Commission further supports and documents the cost-effectiveness of the Ordinance; and C. This Ordinance is in alignment with the cost effectiveness studies and therefore the City Council finds them to be cost-effective; and RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 5 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. D. None of the provisions of this Ordinance change minimum efficiency standards, and therefore this Ordinance is not preempted by federal appliance regulations; and WHEREAS, this Ordinance was found to be categorically exempt from environmental review, per the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended, 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15308, and Title 21 of the San José Municipal Code, under File Number PP19-067; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San José is the decision-making body for this Ordinance; and WHEREAS, this Council has reviewed, considered, and approves the Statement of Exemption determination under CEQA prior to taking any approval actions on this Ordinance; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE: SECTION 1. A new Chapter 17.845 is added to Title 17 of the San José Municipal Code, to be numbered, entitled, and to read as follows: CHAPTER 17.845 PROHIBITION OF NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW SINGLE-FAMILY, LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, AND DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 6 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. 17.845.010 Applicability A. The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to the entitlement of or the processing of development applications for all Newly Constructed Single Family, Low Rise Residential and Accessory Dwelling Buildings proposed to be located in whole or in part within the City. B. The requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to portable propane appliances for outdoor cooking and heating. C. This Chapter shall in no way be construed as amending Energy Code requirements under Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, Part 6 or Part 1, nor as requiring the use or installation of any specific appliance or system as a condition of approval. D. The requirements of this Chapter shall be incorporated into conditions of approval for applications for permits under San José Municipal Code Titles 17 and 20. 17.845.20 Definitions A. “Accessory Dwelling Unit” shall mean a detached secondary unit as specified in San José Municipal Code Section 20.200.325. B. “Director” shall mean the Director of Planning, Building, Code Enforcement or his or her designee. RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 7 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. C. “Low Rise Residential Building” shall mean a building which is three stories or less with a multifamily or single-family residential occupancy and shall not include a hotel or motel. D. “Natural Gas” shall have the same meaning as “Fuel Gas” as defined in California Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code. E. “Natural Gas Infrastructure” shall be defined as fuel gas piping, other than service pipe, in or in connection with a building, structure or within the property lines of premises, extending from the point of delivery at the meter, service meter assembly, outlet of the service regulator, service shutoff valve, or final pressure regulator, whichever is applicable, as specified in the California Mechanical Code and Plumbing Code. F. “Newly Constructed” shall be defined as a building where an application for a building permit was made on or after January 1, 2020 and that has never before been used or occupied for any purpose. 17.845.030 Prohibited Natural Gas Infrastructure in Newly Constructed Buildings A. Natural Gas Infrastructure shall be prohibited in Newly Constructed Low Rise Residential Buildings and Accessory Dwelling Units. B. Natural Gas Infrastructure shall not be extended to any system or device within a building for which an equivalent all-electric system or design is available. C. The requirements of this Section shall be deemed objective planning standards under Government Code Section 65913.4 and objective development standards under Government Code Section 65589.5. RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 8 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. 17.845.040 Exception for Attached Accessory Dwelling Units The requirements of this Chapter shall not apply to attached Accessory Dwelling Units in existing mixed-fuel buildings. 17.845.050 Hardship Exemption A. If an applicant for a Newly Constructed Low Rise Residential Building or Accessory Dwelling Unit believes that circumstances regarding the type of project or physical site conditions make it a hardship or infeasible to meet the requirements of this Chapter, or the project meets the City’s adopted sustainability and environmental policies, then the applicant may request an exemption or modification from the Director. The burden shall be on the applicant to demonstrate the grounds for any exemption. B. In making a determination in response to an application under Subsection A. above, if the Director determines that the facts offered in support of an application demonstrate that the purposes of this Chapter will have been achieved to the maximum extent reasonably allowed by the circumstances, then the Director may issue a decision requiring compliance with less than the full extent of the requirements of this Chapter but to the fullest extent reasonably achievable given the circumstances, provided such requirements meet or exceed those in San José Municipal Code Chapter 24.12. C. The Director's decision shall contain a statement of the facts upon which the decision was based, as well as the reduced compliance level requirements that must be achieved. The Director's decision shall become a condition of the development or building permit issued for the project. RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 9 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. D. The Director's decision shall be mailed or electronically mailed to the applicant to the address shown on the application. 17.845.060 Director’s Decision The Director’s decision on a request for an exemption as specified in Section 17.845.050 is final, conclusive, and appealable under the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6. 17.845.070 Annual Review The City shall review annually the requirements of this ordinance for ongoing consistency with California Energy Commission regulations under California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 6, and the Commission’s code adoption cycle. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2020. / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / RD:CDW:KML 10/17/2019 T-34809.001.007\1658529_2 10 Council Agenda: 10/29/19 Item No.: 2.10(a) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. PASSED FOR PUBLICATION of title this _____ day of ___________, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: DISQUALIFIED: SAM LICCARDO Mayor ATTEST: TONI J. TABER, CMC City Clerk RD:CDW 10/17/19 1 T-34809.001.007/1661863 Council Agenda: 10-29-19 Item No.: 2.10(b) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. RESOLUTION NO. ______________ A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE APPROVING A NEW COUNCIL POLICY NO. 8-15 ENTITLED “NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NEW MUNICIPAL FACILITIES” WHEREAS, the City of San José (“City”) is committed to innovation in environmental and sustainability leadership; and WHEREAS, in February 2018, City Council adopted Climate Smart San José which sets aggressive goals for electrical vehicle adoption, solar installation, and zero net energy/carbon buildings; and WHEREAS, in February 2018, the City was awarded the largest environmental grant in the City’s history through the American Cities Climate Challenge (ACCC) facilitating the required work to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and WHEREAS, on September 17, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 79251 declaring a Climate Emergency within the City; and WHEREAS, electrifying buildings supports the goals of Climate Smart San José; WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a new City Council Policy No. 8-15 entitled “Natural Gas Infrastructure for Municipal Facilities” to create consistent practices for the construction and electrification of future municipal facilities; WHEREAS, this action is categorically exempt from environmental review, per the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended, 14 RD:CDW 10/17/19 2 T-34809.001.007/1661863 Council Agenda: 10-29-19 Item No.: 2.10(b) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. California Code of Regulations Section 15308, and Title 21 of the San José Municipal Code, under File Number PP19-067; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE THAT: A new Council Policy 8-15 entitled “Natural Gas Infrastructure for Municipal Facilities”, attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby approved. ADOPTED this _____ day of ___________, 2019, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: DISQUALIFIED: SAM LICCARDO Mayor ATTEST: TONI J. TABER, CMC City Clerk RD:CDW 10/17/19 Exhibit A-1 T-34809.001.007/1661863 Council Agenda: 10-29-19 Item No.: 2.10(b) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document. EXHIBIT “A” City of San José, California COUNCIL POLICY TITLE NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MUNICIPAL FACILITIES PAGE 1 of 1 POLICY NUMBER 8-15 EFFECTIVE DATE REVISED DATE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ACTION BACKGROUND In February 2018, the City adopted Climate Smart San Jose which sets aggressive goals around electric vehicle adoption, solar installation, and zero net energy/carbon buildings. Municipal construction presents an opportunity for the City to incorporate these goals into its new building inventory. PURPOSE This policy establishes leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change by requiring all new municipal facilities to be constructed without natural gas infrastructure such as pipes, meters, appliances, and equipment. This policy supplements the City’s existing Green Building Policy 8-13. POLICY All new municipal buildings will be designed and constructed without provisions for natural gas piping infrastructure. Exceptions to this policy are listed below. Project- specific exceptions to this Policy may be approved by the City Council. All existing buildings that undergo major renovation, retrofit, or remodel will be evaluated for the elimination of natural gas infrastructure during the scoping and preliminary design process, with the goal of eliminating natural gas infrastructure where feasible, as determined by the Director of Public Works. Exceptions to this Policy:  Emergency or backup power equipment that is used in the event of power outages.  Microgrids that provide energy resiliency in anticipation of extended blackouts or de-energization of the grid. City of San José, California TITLE "Click HERE to add Title" PAGE 2 of 2 POLICY NUMBER Exhibit A-2 T-34809.001.007/1661863 Council Agenda: 10-29-19 Item No.: 2.10(b) DRAFT--Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408)535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov for final document.  City corporation yards and the Police Substation where vehicle fueling takes place  Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport Central Utilities Plant, commercial concessions, and facilities that process, transport or store aviation and/or vehicle fuel.  San Jose – Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility which relies on blended biogas/natural gas to operate.