Rewiring America’s Post

We were named in April, but today, on the two year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act being signed into law as the biggest climate investment in history, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially awarded our Power Forward Communities coalition a $2 billion National Clean Investment Fund grant alongside our coalition members Habitat for Humanity International, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and United Way. As part of this coalition working on single-family homes and apartments, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities, Rewiring America will be announcing local community partnerships in the coming months. We're excited to have these resources to help shape the market, draw in private investment to this work, and for families, help make going electric easier! Read the press release here:

“I have so much skill that they gave me, now I’m hungry to use it.” That’s Tredgett Page, a student of Chicago nonprofit 548 Foundation’s solar training program. The intensive 13-week course grants trainees multiple certificates. Even more crucially, it allows them “to move on to paid, long-term apprenticeships with unions representing carpenters, electricians, plumbers and laborers – the gateway to a lucrative and stable career in the trades.” That’s an appealing prospect for anyone looking for a good-paying job. But for members of the program’s marginalized priority audiences — people involved in the criminal legal system, foster care system, and equity-designated communities — it’s a complete game changer. https://bit.ly/4fYFNWD?

Break out the apple cider donuts: cozy season is coming! There’s no better time to think about home improvement projects that’ll keep you comfy as temperatures dip. Maybe you’re looking to gut your gas fireplace and put in an electric one. Or installing an induction range just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Or doing some weatherization to keep the smell of pumpkin spice candles in and the draft out. We want to know: what’s the one electric home project you’ve done that’s made your home comfier?

“We’ve come to see climate solutions like paper straws as being something worse than what we’re used to. But there are some places where everyone benefits, and I think heat pumps are a good example of that. They’re quieter. They offer more control. And at the same time, they’re going to reduce our energy demand and our greenhouse gas emissions. So it’s not just savings. It’s a quality-of-life improvement.” Couldn’t agree more with this glowing endorsement of heat pumps from Alexander Gard-Murray, political economist at Brown University. Thinking about getting a heat pump of your own but not sure where to start? Explore an extensive guide from NYT Wirecutter at the link in the comments.

list of good things that run out too quickly: - vacation days - toilet paper - homemade chocolate chip cookies list of good things that literally never run out: - sunshine - wind - innovation

“We’re not against green energy. But where’s the responsible place for it to be?” That’s Darnell Sam, a community organizer within the Wenatchi-P’squosa people. Back in the spring, members of this Indigenous group protested a proposed solar panel development that would have harmed some of their foodways and heritage sites in Washington State. That project has since been paused. But other clean energy projects have been greenlit nearby — ones that do disturb tribal lands. This is a real and recurring problem in the clean energy space. Too often, wind, solar, hydropower, and other clean energy projects roll out across Indigenous lands without the input or against the wishes of the people who call them home. It’s not right. For the clean energy transition to actually work, it has to be done equitably. That means ensuring tribes have the information, resources, and leverage they need to make decisions about projects that impact their communities. [ 📰: B. 'Toastie' Oaster, Grist]

Huge news: New Mexico just became the first state to offer home upgrade rebates at the point of sale! ⚡️ “New Mexico is the first state to enable residents to get home-energy efficiency rebates at the point of sale, reflecting our ongoing commitment to leading on the clean energy transition,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “These rebates are available to low-income residents, ensuring that all of our citizens can participate in this transition.” New Mexico is jumpstarting Phase I of its rebates program by offering low-income single-family homeowners up to $1,600 off insulation purchased at participating retailers, including Lowe's and Home Depot. Later, New Mexico’s HEAR program will provide low-income single-family homeowners and low- and middle-income renters up to $14,000 in rebates to upgrade equipment and appliances, including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and induction stoves. https://lnkd.in/d4MjbKUi

psa: the “no wearing white after labor day” rule does NOT apply to heat pump costumes 😤 these fashion icons prove it

The future is bright — solar power at U.S. schools has quadrupled in the past decade! 🌞 A few standouts from Generation180's “Brighter Future: A Study of Solar on K-12 Schools” report: - Over 6.2 million students — more than 1 in 9 nationally — now attend schools powered by solar. - K-12 schools across the country now generate 1,814 megawatts of solar power – enough to power over 330,000 households! - The top states leading the charge in school solar capacity are California, New Jersey, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Explore Electrek.co’s coverage of the report at the link in the comments. [Video description: An illustrated graduation cap with lightning bolts on it, and the top of it reads “The future is bright.”]

Clean air is crucial for children to learn and grow. That’s why getting rid of toxic gas fumes from school buses, furnaces, and kitchens is so important. When we upgrade to electric machines, we all breathe easier.