Photo: BlocPower
San Jose launches building electrification and jobs programme
25 January 2023
by Sarah Wray
The City of San Jose in California has awarded a US$489,000 contract to climate technology company BlocPower to electrify 250 residential buildings and support local workforce development.
San Jose has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and buildings are a key priority as their energy use currently makes up about a third of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.
BlocPower will provide project management and use its BlocMaps software and data toolkit to identify buildings in need of energy upgrades and calculate project costs, energy savings and incentive opportunities.
The company will also establish a community advisory board to help guide the programme’s design. An accompanying workforce development initiative will focus on creating local jobs and addressing labour shortages for electrification upgrades.
Electrification framework
“We’re extremely excited to partner with the City of San José on its superb efforts to fight the effects of climate change, bring environmental and economic relief to its residents, and create exciting new green economy jobs,” said Donnel Baird, CEO and founder of BlocPower. “Our expertise in community engagement, workforce development, project financing and more will set up San José’s electrification programme for success.”
“The City of San José continues to show commitment in reaching equitable and affordable community wide electrification,“ said Kerrie Romanow, director for the Environmental Services Department. “Our partnership with the nation’s leading electrification company is proof of our commitment and determination to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.”
In 2020, San José adopted an expanded natural gas ban which requires almost all new buildings to be all-electric. The city’s Building Electrification Framework, launched in May 2022, outlines a plan to encourage and incentivise the electrification of existing homes and businesses in San José. It includes a focus on developing programmes and policies based on community priorities and feedback, and increasing access to building electrification in historically marginalised communities.
BlocPower is also working on electrification projects in cities including Denver, CO; Oakland, CA; Ithaca, NY; and Menlo Park, CA.
