Benefits of 100% Electric

The state of California plans to increase its use of electric power, in place of gas. This is one of their many goals posts on the way to a Zero-Net Energy future. Some of the benefits of electricity include less environmental impact and increased versatility. Their main goal is to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, which are harmful to the environment. Another benefit is that there are infinite ways to harness electricity, which makes it more versatile than gas. Electricity can be produced through practically any resource, and only requires kinesthetic energy. It can be transferred above ground through power lines or generated on-site. Going electric will make it possible to transition to renewable energy, and eventually allow more people to produce their own energy. Decentralizing energy production will increase energy efficiency because it doesn’t have to travel. California is gradually moving away from the outdated mega-energy grid that is becoming increasingly problematic.

Of course, this is a step-by-step process. More and more cities in California are progressing towards 100% electricity. Over fifty cities and counties are now voting on legislature regarding all-electric construction and electric transportation. As of now, only about 10% of America’s primary energy comes from renewable resources. In the past, the United States has primarily been dependent on oil and natural gas. California is now taking the lead away from that paradigm, toward renewable forms of electricity. Roughly 40% of their energy comes from renewable energy and other alternative resources such as biomass and hydropower.

100% Electric Buildings:

California’s housing sector seems to be moving away from gas. Berkeley was the first city to ban natural gas hookups in new construction, and many are following suit. Why? The main reason is that gas systems create more pollution and carbon emission. The government is receiving letters of support from many massive corporations. Even PG&E is on board at this point, seeing that it will also save them money in construction costs. Gas lines require much more energy and effort to install. Instead of digging out the ground for these massive piping systems, they can utilize the power lines for all the home’s needs. 

The California Energy Commission updates energy efficiency regulations every three years. Title 24 codes determine commercial and residential construction protocol. It’s highly likely we will see the next 2022 code cycle reflect an aversion to gas. New buildings will soon be run by 100% electricity, with electric vehicle hookups. At BarrierEnergy we specialize in Title 24 inspections and energy-efficient buildings. We keep up to date on all the upcoming code changes, so we can prepare you. Visit our website to learn how we can assist in your construction project. 

100% Electric Cities:

More and more people are opting for electric-powered vehicles. EVs are more efficient and charging a vehicle tends to be cheaper than gas. As technology develops, the price of these vehicles is becoming attainable. Most importantly, people are becoming aware of how their choices affect the environment. Burning gasoline filled with particulate matter into our air is bad for our health and our air. Plus, carbon dioxide has been linked to global warming and the greenhouse-gas effect. Due to record-breaking temperatures and wildfires, California’s governing body has stated that the sale of new gas vehicles will be banned by 2035. That means cities are making big changes to accommodate…

Some of California’s megacities, such as Los Angeles, are the most polluted in the country. That’s why Los Angeles was one of the first to require all-electric city buses. This same law has been passed statewide but will not be enforced unilaterally until 2040. Many schools are also making the transition to electric buses, thanks to Blue Bird Electric Vision. Another major change that must be made is the installation of more charging stations. Gas stations are so plentiful they can be found on almost any block. Seeing that electric vehicles do not get as much mileage as their gasoline counterparts, it will be crucial to have access to plentiful charging stations. The Governor is currently pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into this infrastructure. Their current goal is to go from roughly 180k stations to 250k by 2025. Projections show dramatic increases in electric cars on the road. Will they be able to keep up in order to accommodate these vehicles? Let’s see how it unfolds.

Closing Thoughts:

We’ve discussed the transition to 100% electric in two major sectors of the economy. These sectors are currently the largest contributors to CO2 and must be tackled over a period of time. But, in order for California to be all-electric, nothing can go untouched. Major changes will still need to be made to the agricultural and industrial sectors. Plus, we ultimately want electricity to come from 100% renewable resources. California still has until 2050 to accomplish its ultimate goal of Zero-Net Energy. It’s a far-reaching goal, but it is possible if they keep making steady progress. Read more about California’s transition to electric vehicles.