Specifically, the panel provided strategic recommendations on how the City can:

• Incentivize existing multifamily properties to include carbon-free distributed energy resources (DERs), electrification, and features that serve to balance the grid.
• Unlock funding to accelerate the rate of retrofits for energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy generation and storage in existing multifamily housing.
• Support the range of multifamily typologies in San José to combine energy efficiency strategies, electrification, and carbon-free DERs in ways that are financially beneficial for multifamily developers, owners, and tenants.
• Ensure that the transition to all-electric buildings and renewable power generation does not negatively impact low-income residents, especially those in buildings still powered by gas.
• Address environmental justice, equity, and fair housing goals in its work to promote electrification and renewable DERs.

Key recommendations from the panel include:

Lean into leadership and innovation

The City should continue the global leadership it has already demonstrated through the development of its Climate Smart plan and reach codes. Leveraging both its established partnerships with community organizations and skilled trades as well as its rich trove of data will enable San José to continue prioritizing health, equity, and affordability as it moves forward. Drawing on its enviable role as the Capital of Silicon Valley, the City should cultivate opportunities for further collaboration with the innovative companies in its backyard.

Seize the opportunity to create jobs and create equitable prosperity

Transforming San José into an all-electric city will take deep collaboration with PG&E, the owner of all the City’s electricity distribution lines. By partnering with PG&E, labor organizations, community groups, and educational institutions, the City can use this a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create thousands of jobs and develop a skilled workforce that is prepared for the growth of the clean energy economy.

Increase access to existing resources through a Zero Carbon Hub

Residents and businesses need a one-stop location to find everything they need to know about Climate Smart San José implementation: how it benefits them, actions they need to take, and where to get technical assistance and financial resources. ​The creation of a Zero Carbon Hub would be more than just a website, it could serve as a kind of proxy organization with human resources dedicated to driving awareness, education, and support around the Climate Smart programs and goals.

Provide a smooth path for electrification and renewables

To best support building owners of all sizes, the City should explore how they can streamline their processes to make the transition to all-electric buildings and on-site clean energy as inexpensive and easy as possible. Flexibility with minor variances, expedited permitting, staff dedicated to shepherding all-electric projects, and the use of technology (ala the Solar App) could all make a big impact. Non-cash incentives under the City’s control such as density bonuses and the ability to subsize solar off-site rather than on-site when there are space constraints can go a long way in supporting project feasibility.

Strengthen stakeholder buy-in through continued engagement and widespread communication

The City’s robust stakeholder outreach through community-based organizations built for the development of existing building electrification plan is a great model for continuing to cultivate trust and to grow awareness of the why and how of electrification and distributed energy resources. A strong communication plan that uses multiple channels, methods, and languages to reach all communities within the city will also be essential to the success of the implementation of Climate Smart San José.