REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Execute the Reimbursement Agreement Between Silicon Valley Clean Energy and City of Sunnyvale for the Heat Pump Rebate Topper Program
Report
BACKGROUND
The City's Climate Action Playbook Game Plan 2028 details specific actions for the City to take to achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Under Strategy 2 "Decarbonizing Buildings", the City has Moves 2.D "develop an engagement and incentive program to accelerate the adoption of all-electric appliances," and 2.G "Adopt an electrification ordinance for existing residential buildings by 2026." With the adoption of the 2025 California Building Code (RTC 25-0998), Sunnyvale included requirements and guidelines for transitioning to heat pump HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and wiring for future electric appliances (Reach Codes for existing single-family residential). Move 2.D is meant to complement Move 2.G. With the adoption of the Reach Codes for existing single-family residential, the City will launch an education and engagement campaign, coupled with an additional rebate for residents who replace gas furnaces with heat pump HVAC units.
EXISTING POLICY
CLIMATE ACTION PLAYBOOK AND GAME PLAN 2028
Strategy 2: Decarbonizing Buildings
* Play 2.1 Reduce energy consumption in existing buildings
* Play 2.2 Support electrification of existing buildings
GENERAL PLAN
Chapter 2 - Community Vision
Environmental Justice
GOAL EJ-1: Prioritize the needs of designated low-income communities within Sunnyvale that bear high pollution burden according to CalEnviroScreen 3.0, to ensure equitable outcomes.
* Policy EJ1.2: Encourage the phasing out of non-conforming land uses from residential communities, especially for communities that are low-income and/or bear a high pollution burden, as identified in the Environmental Justice Analysis.
Chapter 3 - Land Use and Transportation
GOAL LT-1: Protect the quality of life, t...
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