June 13, 2020 Dear Mayor Harmon and members of the San Luis Obispo City Council — John D Rockefeller once said “Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing”. We hope you will keep his words in mind as you are preparing to make a decision that will impact every resident in San Luis Obispo and the financial realities of living and doing business here. You are about to cast a vote that if approved, will signal that natural gas is no longer important to have as part of the daily lives of the residents of this city. In a state where the cost of living has been steadily increasing, utility costs can create a significant negative impact on monthly household budgets. In light of the ongoing health pandemic and its severe economic impacts, families here in San Luis Obispo, like many throughout the state, are looking for cost relief in any and every area. When a policy will have a significant cost impact on a home or business, those who are going to be impacted should have an opportunity to have a conversation with the policy makers about the positive and negative aspects that could result from the decision. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevents the minimum level of public engagement and dialogue necessary to make this consequential of a decision. Residents and workers depend on natural gas every day for essential lifestyle and operational needs of their homes and businesses. A change to San Luis Obispo’s energy code that will make it more difficult and more expensive to operate homes and businesses should not be pursued without a robust public process that includes the voices of those who will bear the economic burdens of such decision. This should not be taken lightly, especially since the consequences of this policy will disproportionately impact vulnerable communities and communities of color at a time when we should be finding ways to socially and economically empower them. The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic uncertainty has made making ends meet the top priority for working families throughout San Luis Obispo and California. Taking this action will make it more difficult and expensive for residents and businesses to recover economically. We hope you will think of this as you are evaluating if now is the appropriate time to act on this policy and if the necessary level of public engagement has been met. Please delay any decisions until SLO residents and business owners have been fully informed about your impending action on natural gas and can attend, in-person a city council meeting and voice their concerns. Thank you for considering my request. Sincerely, Robert J. Apodaca Executive Director 1918 University Avenue l Suite 3 C l Berkeley CA 94704 l Telephone 510.501.6837