Banning Natural Gas in B'game

With several study sessions under their belts, the City Council is moving towards a ban on natural gas for new developments in town.  We first heard this out of Berkeley and discussed it last July here.  As the idea moves closer to home (the Daily Journal wrote it up here), I have some thoughts that I have just shared with the council via email.  Here is my letter

Dear Councilmembers,

I am intrigued by the discussions regarding banning natural gas hook-ups in future Burlingame developments including commercial, multi-family and single-family residences.  It strikes me that perhaps the councilmembers who support such a ban should lead the way in this change.  I suggest that each councilmember take the initiative to change out the gas appliances in their own homes first.  The community should be provided insights into both the capital and operating costs of this change.

It would be enlightening to understand the relative costs of electric furnaces, water heaters and high-end electric stoves and fireplaces that meld with typical Burlingame design aesthetics.  Similarly, if any councilmember has a pool or outdoor hot tub, it would be good to understand the options available to heat these amenities.  I can foresee some potential changes and additions to our existing building codes that might be revealed by councilmembers’ changeover projects.  Understanding these changes first would save residents and developers time and money as well as bringing our building inspectors up to speed.  The need for 220V power in many more home locations as well as the need for battery back-up and potentially back-up generators (with appropriate fuels if available) should be examined and shared with the community.  In my nearly 30 years living in Burlingame, I cannot recall a single natural gas outage, but electrical outages are frequent and not likely to improve in the mid-term future.

Lastly, we should all be provided with actual operating cost comparisons for the newly refurbished homes.  If these changeovers could be finished by next winter, a six-month cost comparison for the colder months of October to March would be ideal for assessing the true impact on Burlingame residents.

I look forward to the Council’s leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Joe Baylock

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I'll let you know what I receive in the way of responses. 

  

Comments

[Paloma Ave]

It is unfortunate that the environmental zealots have convinced politicians and some members of the public that these actions will make any difference at all. (They won't.)

After all, they have a need to feel they are 'saving' the planet. Never mind the fact that we do not have a dependable source of electric power.

I am very glad I had my tri-fuel (including natural gas) generator during the recent 8 hour and 18 minute power outage.

[Sign Me Up]

Do not, I repeat do not believe these people who tell you it is just for new construction so you don't have to worry about it. Only some clueless politician would believe that the ban won't make it harder and more expensive to find good service techs and replacement parts. We are getting screwed on this.

[Peter Garrison]

I’m thinking of running for office on a no-more weird stuff philosophy.
Call it the Hell No Party
My election slogan will be, “A Yes for Pete is a No for you.”

PS- Everyone has to vote for me or my feelings will get hurt and I’ll drop out.

[Let Common Sense Prevail]

It may be January, but California’s fire season apparently isn’t over. Hundreds of thousands of residents may wake up today without power as PG&E and Southern California Edison contemplate shutoffs amid high winds reaching 90 miles per hour. Southern California Edison cut off power for around 2,000 customers Monday and warned another 283,000 customers could soon follow. PG&E said around 5,645 customers will lose power Tuesday morning in what marks the utility’s first January shutoffs. The gusty winds, paired with warm temperatures and extremely dry conditions — 95% of California is currently experiencing drought and the Sierra Nevada snowpack is at half its normal level — could potentially spark fires, contributing to red flag warnings popping up across the state. In yet another indication of California’s prolonged fire season, two fires in Southern California last week forced hundreds of evacuations.

[Joe]

The Daily Post is reporting that San Carlos' "reach" will not include gas stoves and fireplaces--just heat and water heaters. It's still a gross overreach.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

I did not read through the large amount of info regarding Natural Gas.
Is this "Boycott" the result of the San Bruno fires a few years ago?
Check out the Burlingame Libraries "Micro-Film regarding the Cabrillo/Garfield Ct. San Mateo "Bombing." There is also @ five minutes of National News Film. That will be hard to find. It is out there.