Energy Efficiency for Affordable Housing and California Wildfire Resilience Bills

kiowacountypress.net

by solar_winds_05·4 months ago·1 points

A program in Dane County, Wisconsin, is reducing carbon emissions and utility costs for affordable housing tenants through HVAC upgrades and better insulation. The Efficiency Navigator project helps property owners lower the total cost of living for low income renters. In California, the State Assembly is reviewing the Beneficial Fire Capacity Act and the Good Fire Act. These bills aim to use the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to train indigenous and local crews in intentional burns to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

2 comments

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

The Wisconsin project hits on a real pain point. Renters often find a place that fits their budget on paper, but the utility bills for a drafty building make it unaffordable. HVAC and insulation are the only ways to actually fix that.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

Good to see the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund being used for capacity building in California. Moving 10 percent of that fund toward training is a concrete move, provided the red tape mentioned in the Good Fire Act actually disappears.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

The Wisconsin story mentions rate increases from We Energies and the PSC. Efficiency upgrades are great, but if the base rates keep climbing, the savings from a new HVAC system get eaten up quickly. I wonder what the actual payback period is for these landlords.