Some Santa Barbara County supervisors want an ordinance that "encourages" all-electric buildings for new construction and major renovations. Others object, saying they're worried about impacts to low-income communities and residents in areas prone to power outages.

It's cheaper, healthier and better for the environment to be electric than powered by natural gas, Second District Supervisor Laura Capps said at Tuesday's meeting when supporting the move.

She was part of the board majority -- with First District Supervisor Das Williams and Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann -- in the 3-2 vote for staff to develop an energy "reach" code.

That ordinance would encourage all-electric construction by requiring "dual-fuel" buildings with electric and gas infrastructure to meet higher energy standards such as increased energy efficiency or more solar capacity.

County staff were preparing an ordinance to ban natural gas infrastructure in new construction, additions and major additions for health and safety reasons, but in April, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Berkeley's city ordinance.

"The decision has caused jurisdictions throughout the state, including the county, to pause or rescind their ordinances, which were modeled after Berkeley's precedent," Community Services staff said in a Board of Supervisors report.

Tuesday's conversation came a few weeks after the Board of Supervisors approved a climate action plan on a split vote.

The supervisors who voted against this ordinance also opposed the climate action plan -- Steve Lavagnino of the Fifth District and Bob Nelson of the Fourth District.

The climate action plan sets a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the county to 50% of what they were in 2018, by 2030, Noozhawk previously reported. That's a higher goal than the state standard, which is to reduce emissions to 40% of 1990 levels.

Capps said the energy "reach" code ordinance "is a tangible outcome of the climate action policy we did."

Williams said it will be good for the environment and the consumer. It's easier for people to reduce their electric bills than reduce their gas bills since they can avoid use in higher-rate times of day, he said.

Nelson said gas service is an important alternative for residents, especially in rural areas that see power outages and public safety power shutoffs.

Natural gas bills are usually cheaper, too, he said.

Lavagnino said he has both services in his home and that residents should be given the choice. He called the proposed ordinance a "soft ban."

Instead, the county could do a public education campaign about detrimental health impacts of gas stoves, he said.

The county is already considering exemptions to the energy "reach" code, including: some junior accessory dwelling units; laboratory equipment and clean rooms in scientific or medical buildings; agricultural buildings; water wells; emergency backup generators; industrial heating equipment; non-residential cooking; non-residential clothes dryers; refrigeration rooms; and public interest projects.