Why Reach Codes Make Sense

There is overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change from human consumption of fossil fuels is an urgent threat. If we don’t quickly and drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, a climate crisis will engulf a significant portion of the Earth’s population. 

Los Altos is not immune to the impacts of climate change.

We are seeing them already. Drought, high heat and changing wind patterns have sparked  devastating fires. How many times last year did they come dangerously close to us, even impacting the air we breath?   The number of heat-warning days and the price of our dwindling water supply keep increasing.   Water levels in the San Francisco Bay are rising, making us vulnerable to flooding during storms. The warning signs are here already and it’s time to do something to protect our families.

Next to transportation, the single largest cause of greenhouse gasses in Los Altos comes from our buildings.  The UN cites decarbonization of buildings as a critical, necessary, and cost effective way to address climate change.

There is a  fiscal review by the State of California before Reach codes can be adopted. This is to ensure that they do not have a negative financial impact. These will not cost Los Altos much to implement and yet can have a major impact for good.

Burning natural gas in buildings for heating or cooking puts harmful combustion by products into the air and can cause or exacerbate asthma and other breathing issues.

Natural gas extraction and infrastructure disproportionately targets disadvantaged communities causing long term economic and health issues. . 

Reach codes prepare our buildings for the future. As of January 2020, all new buildings in California must incorporate renewable energy. All electric Reach codes make use  of this abundant new energy and avoid the need to to swap out gas appliances later.

Neighbors such as Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, and San Jose have adopted Reach codes and many more have them coming to their councils.  Los Altans need to step up and do our part. 

It is human nature to have a natural bias against change.  If you have questions, we have tried to address those in the "Mythbusters" section of this site. Let’s move forward to make Los Altos cleaner and healthier.  Let the City Council hear your voice in favor of Reach codes - Click “Take Action Now”!