California promotes building electrification
New codes would encourage developers to integrate small-scale batteries into new commercial structures
The California Energy Commission is proposing new rules that would strongly favour the electrification of new buildings, boosting solar and in-house storage and reducing demand for natural gas. The new codes still have to be approved by the state’s Building Standards Commission. But many of the ideas have already been embraced by a number of the state’s cities as a broader move against new natural gas for heating gains momentum. If enacted, the codes would focus on disincentives, rather than outright bans, to encourage developers to create electric hookups for appliances in new domestic structures and to integrate small-scale batteries in new commercial structures. The rules follow a previ
Also in this section
11 November 2025
Transition policies must recognise that significant industrial demand for carbon will continue even as economies hit net zero
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined
17 October 2025
The business case for CCS is strengthening as costs decline, but deployment must accelerate to align with credible net-zero scenarios
17 October 2025
The black-tie gala recognised the energy industry’s leading innovations and thought leaders from across the value chain






