City Planning Department Wants New Buildings in Pasadena to Be All-Electric, No Natural Gas Allowed

The City Council’s Municipal Services Committee will hear a Pasadena Planning and Development Department proposal to end the use of natural gas in all new buildings.

The electrification ordinance, which aims to combat climate change by prohibiting gas lines in new buildings and requiring gas appliances to be replaced by electric alternatives, goes before the council committee Tuesday.

According to the Planning and Community Development Department’s report, the use of natural gas and propane have become the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with buildings.

The department said by requiring all new buildings to be constructed without gas, “the city will send a strong market signal to retailers, construction workers, contractors, repair technicians, and more that they need to prepare for a rapid transition to all-electric appliances and infrastructure.”

Without shifting away from natural gas use, Pasadena will not be able to meet its goal to reduce GHG emissions, said the department. It also noted that substituting natural gas with electric energy is one of the quickest, safest and least expensive ways to reach the city’s target.

According to the department’s report, as of 2009, approximately 47% of the city’s GHG emissions are from residential and commercial energy use.

While the ordinance could apply to the majority of newly constructed buildings, the department said the city could consider allowing exemptions to projects such as single-family housing developments, affordable multiple-family housing developments, and additions to existing buildings.

The department added that the biggest concern with the electrification of commercial buildings pertains to restaurants that use gas-powered cooking appliances. It noted that some cities decided to exempt restaurants while some applied the ordinance to all commercial buildings, with no exceptions.

The department is recommending that the City Council consider allowing longer implementation periods for restaurants. It is also asking the city to ensure the ordinance would provide a “hardship exemption.”

The additional electric revenue to be generated from the electrification ordinance would help fund Pasadena Water and Power’s fixed costs, thereby lowering electric rates for all customers, according to the report.

At least 51 municipalities throughout California have adopted ordinances to begin decarbonizing buildings through different approaches as of October.

Included in the number are the numerous cities which have adopted an electrification ordinance to address the climate crisis.