City staff will host a Town Hall to provide an opportunity for Piedmont residents to learn more about proposed Reach Codes on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m., according to an email sent to residents on August 27.
Reach Codes are intended to address one of the city’s major sources of greenhouse gas emissions by making homes more energy efficient. With almost no new construction within its borders and little commercial area to address, the new Piedmont codes focus on cutting natural gas consumption in the homes already here.
Although a survey of 400 voters conducted by FM3 Research showed that two-thirds of respondents strongly support or somewhat support reducing natural gas consumption by revising building codes (view survey results HERE), questions and opposition from some residents — including concerns raised by city council member Betsy Andersen and Mayor Bob McBain at a July 20 council meeting — have forced the city to delay a second reading and final approval until after the public has had more opportunity to ask questions and weigh in on the proposals.
Proponents of the measures say they are necessary for the city to meet its climate change goals; opponents have taken issue with how the survey was conducted and what they say are expensive, impractical, and overreaching rules.
The city says it will make a short presentation addressing some of the concerns raised in recent weeks, and a panel will provide responses to questions submitted by attendees. Details of the meeting will be posted on the city website on Friday, August 28.
The Excedra could assist this public education event by replacing the graphic in this series – the Reach codes will ban natural gas in less than 1% of Piedmont homes going forward. No existing home in Piedmont is required to remove its natural gas meter and the associated appliances.