I have a solar array on the roof of my house.Â
My solar panels offset a large portion of the electricity use at my house. I also have several highly efficient natural gas appliances in my home.Â
Livermore is proposing that all natural-gas appliances in buildings within the city be replaced with electrical appliances. The stated reason is to eliminate carbon emissions in the city of Livermore. While I applaud the goal of reducing emissions to help the planet, the city is ignoring the reality of their proposal.Â
Converting gas appliances in Livermore to electricity may reduce carbon emissions in Livermore, but the conversions will actually increase the carbon emissions to the planet. Converting the natural gas appliances in a typical home to electric would increase electrical needs by 300%. If every home in California were converted, the electrical grid would be overloaded. With the decommissioning of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, the power generation capacity in California will be decreasing at the same time our electrical needs are increasing.Â