BE3-1 Implement a residential and small business "Electrification and Energy Efficiency/Weatherization" program (strategies include energy efficient zero fossil fuel combustion heating systems such as air source heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps). Program design to focus on improved equity (residential and commercial) in its implementation and explore strategies to support local small business contractors.
- Goal: 10% residential market conversion (2,500 households annually) and 5% commercial/industrial market conversion (an estimated 85 businesses annually) by 2030.
BE3-2 Identify, create, and promote incentives for low-income residents to electrify their homes.
BE3-3 Work with utilities, including municipal utilities, to incentivize and promote replacement of inefficient building heating and cooling equipment before end-of-life, Goal: achieve 500 households replacing equipment annually.
BE3-4 Collaborate with partners to educate contractors, installers, and homeowners about benefits of electrification and other on-site fossil fuel combustion reduction strategies, currently available technology such as heat pumps, and manufacturer resources for installation training and support.
BE3-5 Explore existing and proposed Natural Gas bans and create an ordinance for adoption consideration.
BE3-6 Create a heat pump grant to augment available federal tax credits to incentivize fuel switching. Incentive could be coordinated or combined with other energy efficiency / weatherization incentives.
BE3-7 Create a volunteer think tank to identify facilities in the community with excess waste heat and explore the potential of establishing a thermal energy grid or micro-grid. Consider creating a database to contain data from all studies from this plan.
