Opinion: The path to an all-electric, clean energy future in San Jose

Here in Silicon Valley, we are no strangers to transformation. Do you remember 20 years ago asking someone to call your mobile phone? Today, we just call them phones.

And now, to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change, a new transformation is under way. Today’s electric vehicles will one day just be cars. Zero carbon buildings will be homes.

The San Jose City Council’s adoption of Climate Smart San Jose and recent carbon neutrality by 2030 goal put us on the path to a clean-energy future. Local electric providers are accelerating California’s clean energy goals; San Jose Clean Energy will provide 100% carbon-neutral energy by 2030. As the electric sector cleans up, powering transportation and buildings with electricity instead of fossil fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in San Jose by 85%.

Some believe that our grid is not ready for the increase in demand that electrification will bring. Infrastructure upgrades are needed, but the reality is that, with smart planning and the right sequencing over the next decades, there is a path toward cost-effective, large-scale electrification.

Enabling greater supply of clean electricity to San Jose, an important step, is already in the works. Earlier this year, CAISO, the non-profit that runs the California grid, approved a new transmission plan that will help accelerate the transition to clean power sources by building additional transmission lines across the state and locally here in San José.

We’ve made big strides in energy efficiency, and continued improvements will further free up grid capacity. Electric heat pumps for water and space heating and cooling have matured and are 3-4 times more efficient than their fossil fuel counterparts. Swapping gas furnaces with heat pumps can provide air conditioning to homes that did not have it before and replace less-efficient air conditioning, creating capacity for other electric uses.

We can manage the timing of electric vehicle charging with smart technologies and price incentives — this will be important as more of us go electric. Smart technologies can also help home electrification efforts. There are technologies that allow appliances to share the electric circuit (for example, dryers and vehicle chargers), and forthcoming heat pumps that are even more efficient can help homes manage usage and avoid costly infrastructure upgrades.

Electric vehicles and appliances are not only more efficient, but they’re also cleaner and safer. In an electric future, communities living near freeways and busy streets will see better air quality and reduced health impacts. Transitioning to electric appliances means children will not be exposed to carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants emitted by natural gas.

Today’s car and appliance purchases will have impacts for decades to come, so the federal and state governments are pledging billions to help us electrify. Consumers can combine rebates for electric vehicles and appliances to make the transition more affordable. Additional funds are available for consumers with low incomes and those living in neighborhoods that disproportionally bear the brunt of climate change and air pollution.

The choices each of us make today will impact our future climate. As your car or appliances get close to needing replacement, you can be a part of the transformation towards cleaner, safer, more efficient and more affordable all-electric living. It’s time to start planning to electrify.

Lori Mitchell is the director of San Jose Clean Energy, the local not-for-profit electricity provider operated by the City of San Jose.