Marin County Eyes a Future of All-Electric Buildings to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Marin County supervisors approved a countywide road map on Tuesday to reach its goal of an all-electric future.

The plan, which comes after a 2022 Marin County Civil Grand Jury report noting the need for coordinated implementation to meet goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, makes 10 recommendations that include a neighborhood-scale electrification project, streamlining the permit process and offering permit discounts to reduce the cost of appliance upgrades.

The building electrification road map aligns with regional and state efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District banned the sale of new gas-powered furnaces and water heaters starting in 2027 — a move that, according to the district, would reduce health impacts by nearly $900 million annually in the region.

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1221, which seeks to help with the state’s goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045 by launching up to 30 neighborhood-scale electrification pilot projects as an alternative for certain communities needing new gas lines.

If implemented, the Marin County road map expects recommendations to be rolled out by local governments over the next six to seven years.

Dana Armanino, Marin’s sustainability planner, said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting that the county has “not been resting and waiting” since the 2022 Grand Jury report, pointing to a recent allocation to the Electrify Marin program, which provides rebates to eligible households when they replace a gas or propane appliance, and an online resource hub for building electrification.

The road map has the backing of the Marin Conservation League, which analyzes county environmental policy, board member Ken Strong said.

“We think it’s a great step, and we will be advocating in the local jurisdictions for this to be adopted,” Strong said.

The plan is “solely advisory,” according to staff, and requires the collaboration of not just local officials in each jurisdiction but also community members, including developers, community-based organizations, residents and real estate agents.

It’s “intended to be a shared endeavor,” Armanino told the board. “Much like all climate action strategies, a collective action will be required to successfully implement the actions identified in the road map.”

Supervisor Katie Rice said the county’s aging residential buildings — over 90% of them were built before 2000 — are a challenge to electrifying buildings across the county.

However, about 17,000 of those buildings, according to the plan, are in the “sweet spot for electrification opportunities” because of their likely aging appliances and systems that will need replacement.

Rice, who called the plan “excellent work,” suggested that an annual electrification fair be held to boost awareness and participation.

“We need folks to be planning ahead and anticipating replacing appliances,” Rice said. “I do think those hands-on fairs really make a difference for folks.”