Page 9 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2019 Issue

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Green Building NEWS

The Latest on Sustainability and Renewable Energy
Breaking ground on

groundbreaking communities

CREDIT:NICK TA–FLICKR

City of EV lights. San Jose, now California’s third-
most-populated city, is the nation’s largest when it
comes to requiring electric vehicle compatibility in all
new construction.

San Jose Makes

Way for EVs

California city sets the path for
electric vehicles in all U.S.
municipalities.

AN JOSE, hometo more than 1 million people, is
now the largest U.S. city to pass building codes
encouraging all-electric construction. The
S building “reach code,” passed unanimously by Break new ground with
a bipartisan city council, will “slash climate pollution from
new construction and deliver significant health benefits a geothermal community
to residents,” according to Mayor Sam Liccardo.
The ordinance, which takes effect in January 2020, Geothermal communities are gaining popularity all around
requires new multi-family buildings to include 70 percent the country. In fact, several of these new communities are
of parking, as electric vehicle (EV)-capable spaces, at completely sold out and new homes are being snapped up
least 20 percent as EV-ready spaces and at least 10 well before construction ever begins. Geothermal is simply
percent as full EV service equipment spaces. “Studies the most efficient way to heat and cool a home, and economies
show that transitioning to clean electricity-powered of scale for all-geothermal communities make them more
appliances in new construction will allow developers to
build more quickly and affordably,” Liccardo says. “This will economical to install. Whether potential homeowners are tech
also save homeowners considerable cash.” savvy, environmentally conscious, or looking to save money,
Before the end of 2019, the city council also plans to geothermal has something to offer. Let WaterFurnace be a
consider the phase-out of gas infrastructure in single- resource to provide best practices, help avoid mistakes others
family and low-rise residential new construction. If have made, and help your development become successful.
approved, the requirement will take effect in January,
Liccardo adds. Learn more at waterfurnace.com/neighborhoods
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) senior
scientist Pierre Delforge notes that the growing interest
in electrification of buildings and transportation is a sign
that local governments are reacting to a lack of action at
the federal level. “We do expect this is the kind of climate
action that cities can own,” says Delforge. “At a time when
the federal government is trying to repeal climate policies, WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc.
cities are stepping up and doing their own thing.” GB ©2019 WaterFurnace International Inc.

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