PODER-led project completes phase I with sustainable electric upgrades done in partnership with the City of San Francisco
San Francisco – Community members, organizers, city and state leaders gathered at a local apartment building on Bryant Street in the historic Mission District to celebrate its successful gas-to-electric conversion. The building now features electric HVAC heat pump systems, induction stoves and updated electric panels to support the electric appliance upgrades—all installed at no cost to the building owner or residents.
“Low-income households should be first to benefit from electrification, not last,” said Antonio Díaz, Organizational Director of PODER. “Working families deserve access to lower energy bills, healthy homes, and clean energy. PODER is committed to scaling these solutions across our community.”
The improvements are expected to lower energy bills for residents, eliminate dangerous indoor air pollution from gas-burning appliances, and provide families with efficient and clean heating and cooling systems. The project is led by PODER, an organization in San Francisco that organizes primarily with the city’s Latinx population to advance environmental and economic justice.
“For decades my family have worked to sustain and nurture our Mission District community,” said Amparo Vigil, PODER member, longtime community member, and owner of the Bryant Street building. “Equitable electrification projects like this one allow us to help our neighbors breathe cleaner air with healthier, more resilient homes.”
Gas-burning appliances pose real health risks to families that live in homes with them. Gas stoves leak cancer-causing benzene in homes, causing levels that can be on par with living with secondhand smoke. Research shows that cooking with gas increases the risk of childhood asthma by 42%. Installing induction stoves will cut dangerous indoor air pollution and climate-harming emissions.
Beyond individual homes, gas appliances have significant community-wide health impacts. Gas appliances in homes and buildings across the Bay Area are responsible for more smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution than the region’s passenger cars. Research shows that communities of color in the Bay Area are exposed to 55% more nitrogen dioxide (NO2) than predominantly white neighborhoods. Electrification projects that prioritize low-income communities help address these entrenched environmental inequities and improve public health at the neighborhood level.
The project was funded through a collaborative approach combining seed funding from the San Francisco Environment Department, incentives from TECH Clean California and the Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements (BAMBE) program, and foundation grants.
“Building decarbonization is central to meeting San Francisco’s ambitious climate goals,” said Cyndy Comerford, Climate Program Manager, San Francisco Department of the Environment. “We are proud to have partnered with PODER to support this project. We will continue to collaborate on future projects, and lead with equity so that all families are able to enjoy the savings, and health benefits of electrification in the city.”
Last month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to support a resolution that called on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to include specific communities, including the Mission District, in the list of 30 pilot projects where an entire block would receive a gas-to-electric conversion. This is a potential avenue to expand equitable electrification to families in the Mission.
“Prioritizing equitable decarbonization is critical to mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis for working families,” said Jackie Fielder, San Francisco District 9 Supervisor. “Families should not have to breathe dangerous fumes in their home or worry whether they will be able to safely heat or cool their home. Equitable building decarbonization projects, like this one, can bring tremendous benefits to families in our community. That’s why my fellow Supervisors and I want to see many more of these projects throughout San Francisco, especially in neighborhoods like the Mission.”
Phase II of the project will include: updating the insulation in the building as well as installing solar panels and battery storage and will be completed within a year after the remaining funds are raised. The press event was followed by a tour of the building’s upgrades including: new HVAC heat pumps, induction stoves and updated electrical panels.
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