California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Stephanie Pincetl

Contractor: University of California, Los Angeles

Sub-contractor: Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Metz (FM3), The Energy Coalition

Contract Number: 21STC023

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB programs: Building Decarbonization

Topic areas: Zero-Emission Appliance Standards, State Implementation Plans (SIPs), Indoor Air Quality & Exposure, Environmental Justice

Research Summary:

This study will assess the equity implications and costs of electrification for priority populations living and working in existing residential and commercial buildings.

• Examine California’s building electrification trends to date across several geographic and demographic dimensions, including single and multi-unit dwellings, and small commercial buildings, to describe the gap between existing policy-supported electrification and the State’s long-term goals. This characterization will be done through a broad compilation and analysis of statewide spatial data layers related to electrification and equity considerations.
• Understand needs for upgrading electric service panel capacity. Using machine learning and building permit data, this task will examine the scale of the challenges associated with electrical service panel upgrades to support full electrification retrofits in older buildings.
• Explore consumer awareness and understanding of building decarbonization, with a focus on renters and multifamily housing. This project will conduct opinion research focused on priority population’s values, knowledge, and beliefs around building electrification decisions.
• Prioritize commercial building sectors for decarbonization efforts, by understanding the feasibility and equity dimensions specific to those sectors.

Based on study results, the Project Team will develop policy recommendations and a commercial building prioritization framework. Results of this project will inform CARB and other policymakers’ efforts to align incentives, regulations, and other complementary policies to support rapid and equitable building decarbonization.

Keywords: communities, equity, indoor exposure and mitigation, sustainable communities and health, environmental justice, emission sources, reducing disparities, greenhouse gas emissions, social equity, climate change oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, NOx reductions, priority communities, CalEnviroScreen (CES), state implementation plans (SIP), air quality, particulate matter (PM), PM2.5, modeling, climate impacts, energy, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, equitable and affordable housing, climate actions, equitable climate policy