By Kai Palmer-Dunning |
The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has reminded us all of the urgent importance to address climate change. We must rapidly ramp up efforts to decarbonize all industry sectors, make them more resilient, and prioritize sustainability.
The Infrastructure Bill that recently passed in the Senate sets aside funding for improving resilience in the energy sector and…
By Andrew Winslow |
Welcome to the August Policy Tracker blog! The Boston area is continuing to dry off after the rainy month of July, and is finally enjoying some summer sun. This blog will cover legislative trends and updates that we have noticed over the past few months. While most of the region’s legislatures are in recess, a few are still in session and making progress on key energy bills.
A few pieces of…
By Chase Macpherson |
When I’m confronted with a big decision in my life, whether it’s about my career, a relationship, housing, or money, I go to my trusted circle for advice. I know that my parents, sisters, friends, and colleagues will all have valuable perspectives and wisdom that can help me make my decision. We invest in relationships to maintain a support network of people we trust and value, who will give us…
By Erin Cosgrove |
This is the second installment of a new blog series called Turning Policy into Performance. In this series, we'll take a look at how states can implement decarbonization and climate goals with energy efficiency programs
.Achieving carbon goals set by states will require action across all industries. For energy efficiency, this requires a paradigm shift in program planning – away from energy…
By Andrew Winslow |
It is no secret that the commercial and industrial sectors use a tremendous amount of energy. In 2019, they accounted for seven percent and 23 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions respectively. This high level of energy usage and carbon emissions represents both a challenge and an opportunity for decarbonization.
On one hand, these sectors include companies and industries with huge…
By Bryan Evans |
Often time, when a blog or discussion is centered on the word “mortgage,” my brain automatically signs off. Let’s face it, mortgages are complex and boring, which is sometimes a recipe for disaster.
It's strange, then, that my latest blog is about mortgages. This is no ordinary mortgage blog, though – it’s a blog about energy mortgages.
Most of you reading this may have already…
By Moses Riley |
Get ready – you might never purchase a fuel economy car again.
You heard that right; the electric vehicle boom is upon us and here to stay. And I know what you’re thinking: NEEP works on decarbonizing buildings, so why are we talking about transportation? By the end of this blog, the connection will become clear. To begin, I will provide some context on why it is time to focus on electric…
By Carolyn Goldthwaite |
Mittens, where are my mittens - I’m freezing!
That might be a familiar refrain during winter months in New England, but this time, it was Memorial Day weekend! I woke up at my parents’ house in New Hampshire to a cool 43 degrees – on May 29! Thankfully, they have air source heat pumps that are keeping the house warm, and I soon forgot about my mittens and focused on a hot cup of tea.
Fast…
By Ben Hiller |
Refrigerant is the lifeblood of an HVAC system, absorbing and releasing heat to keep our homes and buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This “juice” that runs through the refrigeration cycle comes in many chemical forms, each with particular safety considerations. Throughout history, scientists have chased safer refrigerants.
With the invention of modern air conditioning in the…
By Andrew Winslow |
It’s amazing to think about where we were this time last year – in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. States were scrambling to protect their citizens and mitigate economic damage. Energy discussions were focused on how to keep the lights on and help low-income customers pay for utilities.
As the vaccine roll out accelerates and many begin easing back into “normal” life, climate change is back…