Bold Climate Leadership: California's Reach Codes
California has been at the forefront of environmental and climate actions for decades. In 2006, with the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 32 – The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 – California has been reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all sources statewide. In 2016, with the passage of AB 32, California raised its goal for GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. And while we’re making inroads to achieving bold climate goals, there’s more we can do. Implementing reach codes is one of those actions.
What are reach codes?
Although California has required building codes, cities and counties may adopt more advanced, or enhanced, building codes. These are known as reach codes, a local building energy code that ‘reaches’ beyond minimum state requirements laid out in the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) for energy use in buildings. Reach codes can stand alone or be an integral part of a Climate Action or Sustainability Plan.
Why should you care about them?
Reach codes can provide additional health and safety benefits, along with environmental advantages like energy and water savings and reductions in emissions. As cities begins switching to 100% renewable electricity within the next decade, we can transition from burning natural gas and other fossil fuels to clean, carbon-free sources of electricity. As a result, residents, businesses—the entire community—benefit.
How hard is it to adopt reach codes?
California leads the country in electrification. From Ojai to Santa Monica, Southern California Edison (SCE) is working with cities and counties to adopt codes that encourage the electrification of buildings and transportation. Over 40 municipalities have implemented reach codes shifting to renewable energy electrification that significantly lower GHG emissions by 2030.
Reach Code Newsletter
To stay up to date with reach code activities in Southern California, please visit https://socalenergycodes.com. There, you can read and subscribe to SoCal Edison’s reach code newsletter.
Reach Code Collateral
Statewide Reach Codes Program’s LocalEnergyCodes.com website
Statewide Reach Codes Program’s Cost Effectiveness Explorer
Lists of recently adopted reach codes by the Statewide Reach Codes Program, Building Decarbonization Coalition, and Sierra Club
Interactive statewide map showing cities and counties that recently adopted reach codes
Reach Codes Newcomers Webinar (recordings and slide decks): Session 1 (1/25/2022), Session 2 (2/22/2022)
Reach code process timeline
Peninsula Clean Energy / Silicon Valley Clean Energy / East Bay Community Energy / San Mateo County / Santa Clara County Reach codes page
Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN)
Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN)
Edison International’s All-electric homes and buildings page
Solar Today’s excellent article Buildings and Transportation Electrification: Coming Soon to a Community Near You
This page was developed jointly with our partner Colorado Energy Group, on behalf of our client Southern California Edison. 3rd party content is provided as is, and is the sole responsibility of the respective owners and publishers.