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California regulators voted Wednesday to require solar and battery storage in new commercial buildings and high-rise multi-family residences; this is the latest frontier in the state’s vigorous efforts to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources.
The California Energy Commission approved the proposal by a vote of 0 to 5. The proposal will now be considered by the state’s Building Standards Commission, which is expected to include it in its general revision of the building code in December.
The energy plan, which will take effect on January 1, 2023, also includes incentives to extract natural gas from new buildings and facilitate the addition of batteries to existing solar systems in single-family homes.
“The future we’re trying to build together is a future beyond fossil fuels,” said David Hochschild, head of the Energy Commission, before the agency’s vote. “Big changes require everyone to play a role. We all have a role to play in building this future.”
Provisions will be added requirements that took effect last yearmandating that new single-family homes and multi-family residences up to three stories high include solar energy.
The latest code provision is expected to receive final approval and contribute to California’s aggressive efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Commission spokesperson Lindsay Buckley said that although there is “no guarantee” that the plan will be accepted by the Building Standards Commission, such a proposal was not rejected after it was approved by the energy panel.
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