Category: News

At ID360 we work with clients in all phases and stages of sustainable design, construction and policy management. Electrification is a HUGE part of what we do. In buildings, electric alternatives exist for all major energy end uses. It is obviously good for our planet, but electrification also benefits the community. Here are our top three reasons why.

Solar panels, electrification
Solar panels in the city
  1. Electrification creates jobs! Good paying, high demand jobs.
  2. Electrification promotes equity within communities. Benefits include cleaner air, healthier homes, and greater access to affordable clean energy. This all leads to greater energy efficiency to reduce monthly bills. Win win win!
  3. Electrification helps California meet climate goals! DYK California has a goal of a net-zero carbon economy and 100% clean electricity by 2035?

What are your top reasons why electrification is good for the community? Share with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Need more? Join us at ID360 Academy to see our suite of courses in green building design and sustainability planning.

It’s no secret California has been dealing with serious energy and air quality issues for a long time. California actually started regulating emissions before the EPA! One major way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through electrification. Let’s talk about what exactly electrification is and how local energy and EV reach codes get us closer to a clean energy future.

electrification

What is Electrification?

Electrification is the process of converting fossil fuel-operated appliances like oil furnaces, gas water heaters, and wood stoves to electricity. In California, Title 24 of the Code of Regulations sets the building code standards for all authorities.

DYK heating and cooling of buildings accounts for about 13 percent of US emissions?

These standards regulate building energy efficiency, including:

  • Lighting
  • Cooling and heating systems
  • Building insulation

The current California standards apply to projects with permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2020. At the time of the writing of this article, we are about halfway through the current code cycle with the upcoming standards set to be effective on January 1, 2023.

What are Reach Codes?

The Building Energy Efficiency Standards regulate building energy efficiency throughout the state of California, however, local jurisdictions can adopt more strict requirements known as “energy reach codes”. Through the development and implementation of these codes, local governments can impose stricter energy efficiency requirements.

In addition to meeting the baseline statewide standards, a reach code must meet the following requirements:

  • Reach codes must be cost-effective. The funds saved from reduced energy costs should be able to cover initial cost increases.
  • The California Energy Commission must approve all reach codes.
  • The codes must be re-approved and reviewed every three years. The next code cycle change will go into into effect on January 1, 2023.

How do reach codes further electrification?

Electrification begins with local goals – what is the community trying to achieve and by when? At ID360 we work with local government teams to understand their sustainability goals and help develop bold policies around green building, climate change, and energy efficiency. We work side-by-side with city staff to implement the goals of the city council and community members. Check out our recent project with the City of South San Francisco. We are working with the city on their unique characteristics surrounding their reach codes in support of building electrification and electric vehicle charging infrastructure goals. 

All California cities that have adopted an Energy Reach Code during the current 2019 code cycle will be required to update or archive their local code by next year. ID360 has provided advisory, policy development, and program design and implementation services to many other local jurisdictions. Read our other case studies or contact us to talk about your policy design needs.

Online certificate program prepares individuals for the ICC CALGreen Inspector Plans Examiner Test and LEED Green Associate Exam

San Mateo, CA May 27, 2021– Today, the San Mateo County Community College District’s Community, Continuing and Corporate Education (CCCE) division and ID360 announced the launch of the Green Building Certificate Program. The not-for-credit certificate program is open to the public for registration at www.id360academy.com/CCCE and designed to help individuals prepare and pass the ICC CALGreen Inspector/Plans Examiner Test and LEED Green Associate Exam. The certificate will offer continuing education units (CEUs) to the International Code Council (ICC), the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The eight week on-demand bootcamp-style program will provide technical training for individuals involved in building permits related to single-family, multi-family, and commercial buildings. The certificate was designed with building inspectors, plan checkers and special inspectors in mind, but it will benefit other architectural, engineering, and construction professionals by providing in-depth technical training on current and planned green building policies both locally and statewide. 

“We have heard from the community that there is a shortage of qualified individuals to assess and verify the sustainability attributes of green buildings,” said Michael Claire, Chancellor of the San Mateo County Community College District. “The Green Building Certificate program will help solve this problem by providing our community with another innovative and relevant continuing education opportunity that will lead to good jobs in an in-demand field.”

The program features an accelerated learning model organized with four intensive weekend days spread over an eight-week period using the ID360 Academy portal. Participants will complete the certificate using a primarily on-demand model with access to technical trainers for questions and support. The Green Building Certificate Program was designed in partnership with ID360, a local women-owned sustainable design and green building compliance company, and is being offered in partnership with SMCCCD’s CCCE division, with collaborative support from the College of San Mateo.

“We have developed a unique offering that best serves the needs of building officials providing compliance enforcement and design professionals looking to demonstrate compliance of their buildings to these complex codes,” said Melanie Jacobson, ID360 Founder and Principal. “We are excited to deploy our years of experience in this area to co-create the Green Building Certificate with SMCCCD’s Community, Continuing and Corporate Education. The program aligns with our company’s commitment to sustainability, electrification, and carbon reduction.”

Registration for the Green Building Certificate is open and summer session will begin June 16. Students benefit from a rolling admissions cycle although early registration is encouraged with each course capped at 200 students. For more information about the Green Building Certificate, or to register, visit www.id360academy.com/CCCE.

Sustainability Firm Unveils New Name, New Training Academy, and Expansion of Services

Menlo Park, CA., May 24, 2021 – ID360, a leading sustainability and green building consulting company, announced today a rebrand to its visual identity and name that reflects the company’s progression and continuing commitment to sustainability. Coinciding with the unveiling of the new brand, ID360 launched an updated website (www.ID360.green) that reflects the new visual identity and highlights the company’s expansion of services.
“This rename and rebrand represents a significant step in the company’s evolution,” said Melanie Jacobson,

Founder and Principal, ID360. “10 years ago, we started as a design-based business helping architects, engineers and contractors with green building strategies and rating systems. As the industry changed, we have expanded into supporting local governments with innovative policies and programs.”

Sustainability and climate change is at the heart of ID360’s mission and values. ID360 is a woman-owned, boutique firm. The rebrand was informed by the company’s core values of innovation, leadership, collaboration, balance, and mission of global transformation of the built environment.

Coinciding with the rebrand, ID360 also launched a new training division called ID360 Academy. The academy will offer on-demand innovative courses for industry professionals. The courses will fulfill continuing education requirements for the International Code Council (ICC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The continuing education program will prepare those in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries for post-pandemic careers in sustainability, green building, energy efficiency, decarbonization, and electrification.

“Our core values inform everything we do and our history of ‘boots on the ground’ best positions us to be innovative leaders in climate change and sustainability,” said Jacobson. “By expanding our services to also include on-demand education, we are able to scale our impact on sustainability, electrification, and carbon reduction.”