Assemblymember Berman Introduces Legislation to Electrify California Homes

Today, Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) introduced the Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313), offering California homeowners the opportunity to electrify their home appliances when their utility is scheduled to replace the natural gas line connected to their homes. This incentive program would help thousands of Californians bring modern, energy efficient appliances, like heat pumps and induction ovens, into their homes every year.

Utilities in California replace tens of thousands of gas service lines every year, with individual replacements typically costing over $20,000 each. PG&E alone replaces an average of 15,000 service lines every year, costing ratepayers hundreds of millions in their gas utility bills. Right now, customers have no choice when a gas service line is scheduled for replacement — it automatically happens. AB 2313, sponsored by Earthjustice and NRDC, would give homeowners the option to electrify their homes.

A gas line replacement. AB 2313 offers California homeowners the opportunity to electrify their home appliances when their utility is scheduled to replace the natural gas line connected to their homes. (Catherine McQueen / Getty Images)

“Many Californians across the state want to fully electrify their homes, but the upfront costs of transitioning from fossil fuel appliances to electric alternatives pose a major barrier for homeowners. If we’re going to meet our goal of creating a more affordable and sustainable California, we need to encourage electrification by easing the economic barriers to clean energy. I am excited to introduce the Home Energy Choice Act, which will provide Californians with that opportunity,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman. “Helping families electrify their homes will protect the environment, promote public health, and provide long-term savings for all ratepayers.”

“The Home Energy Choice Act is a win for the state to avoid unwise spending on replacing costly old gas lines,” said Matt Vespa, senior attorney on Earthjustice’s Right To Zero Campaign. “It’ll offer thousands of Californians the option to receive significant funds to shift their appliances to better electric models that will help clean the air in their homes. It doesn’t make sense for utilities to spend millions of dollars digging up gas lines in people’s yards when they could use that money to help Californians upgrade to heat pumps and induction stoves that are simply better products.”

The Home Energy Choice Act would offer Californians meaningful financial support to upgrade to significantly better home appliances. A similar program in New York offers customers up to $20,000 and direct support in making the transition off of gas-burning appliances. These appliances offer Californians a more comfortable quality of life in their homes, with vastly more efficient heat pumps holding steadier temperatures in homes, and induction stoves offering quicker and more precise cooking.

“It is just common sense to give Californians a choice in the energy used in their homes. Why would we invest more than $20,000 per home in fossil fuel infrastructure when clean alternatives are available?” said Merrian Borgeson, California Climate & Energy Director for NRDC. “A thoughtful, managed transition off of gas requires making smart investments today. This bill empowers Californians to choose the future they want, and ends gas utility investments in new pipelines being the default.”

The Home Energy Choice Act would also give more Californians access to air conditioning. Today, a quarter of Californians live without cooling. Heat pumps have two-way valves that provide both heating and cooling, allowing people to keep their homes comfortable, regardless of the weather.

All-electric homes are also cleaner and safer than homes with gas appliances. Burning gas in our living spaces is a culprit of the air pollution that increases people’s risk of lung disease, heart problems, trouble with cognitive function, and even early death. New research suggests that gas stoves are the main source of indoor nitrogen dioxide in the U.S., responsible for more than half of some Americans’ total exposure to the health-harming gas. All-electric appliances, on the other hand, cut the air pollution in homes.

“Gas appliances are a significant source of indoor air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which are known triggers for asthma attacks and can worsen lung disease,” said Bill Magavern, Policy Director at Coalition for Clean Air. “By enabling households to transition to modern electric appliances, this bill can help reduce exposure to these pollutants, improve indoor air quality, and support healthier homes across California.”

When homes are electrified, carbon monoxide and earthquake fire risks plummet. Problems with gas appliances such as gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas stoves, and gas clothes dryers are a key source of carbon monoxide leaks. Additionally, about a quarter of all fires after earthquakes start because of natural gas leaks. By shifting more homes in California to modern all-electric appliances, we can meaningfully reduce these safety risks.

“The Home Energy Choice Act aligns with the kind of equitable clean energy transition we’ve long championed – one that accelerates electrification to cut pollution and strengthens climate resilience,” said Colleen Corrigan, Sustainability and Resilience Policy Manager at SPUR. “Allowing Californians to reduce reliance on aging gas infrastructure not only improves air quality, but it also lowers the risk of dangerous gas leaks and fires caused by neighborhood gas line breaks following major earthquakes, all while supporting households with the financial tools they need to decarbonize their homes.”