clean-heat

Colorado District Court Latest to Dismiss Industry Lawsuit against Building Updates

Denver, CO - A Colorado District Court Judge has dismissed a corporate-backed lawsuit against Denver ordinances aimed at reducing air pollution from buildings and reducing energy bills for owners and tenants.

Sierra Club: New Anti-Energy Efficiency Bill Will Cost Consumers, Waste Energy

Yesterday, Senator Mike Lee (R-AZ) introduced a bill that would roll back existing energy efficiency standards and prevent the Department of Energy from updating existing or implementing new strong efficiency standards. The bill would result in energy waste, adding extra strain to the grid and raising energy prices.

Ninth Circuit Rejects Industry Challenge to SoCal Clean Air Rule for Boilers

San Francisco, CA  – The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) zero-emission standard for boilers and water heaters, rejecting an industry challenge to a landmark clean air rule that will clean up pollution from industrial and commercial equipment.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds New York Limits on Fossil Fuel Use in Buildings

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of New York City and New York State laws that prohibit fossil fuel-burning appliances in new buildings, affirming the judgments of two lower courts. Those laws are part of the growing movement of communities around the country taking action to transition homes and buildings away from polluting fossil fuels.

Citing Cleaner, Cheaper Alternatives, Colorado Regulators Deny Xcel Energy’s $2.9 Billion Gas System Plan

Denver, CO — Today the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) declined to approve much of Xcel Energy's Gas Infrastructure Plan (GIP), which lays out the utility’s forecasted investments in methane gas infrastructure over the coming years. The PUC largely agreed with environmental groups that Xcel must consider alternatives that better promote affordability and meet Colorado’s clean energy goals.

New Guidance from DOE Weakens Popular Home Energy Rebate Programs

Today, the Department of Energy issued guidance that will create confusion, make it significantly harder for households to access funds to upgrade polluting or inefficient appliances, and disrupt programs already approved and underway in multiple states.

Advocates Call for Investigation into AI Campaign that Used Residents' Identities Without Consent to Target Air Regulators

SAN FRANCISCO—Bay Area advocates are calling on California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Francisco, Alameda County, and Santa Clara County District Attorneys Brooke Jenkins, Ursula Jones Dickson, and Jeff Rosen investigate an AI-powered astroturf campaign that allegedly used real residents' personal information to send fake emails to Bay Area Air District board members — without their knowledge or consent.

House Passes Bills That Would Worsen Energy Affordability & Reliability

House Republicans passed a pair of bills this week that would undercut energy affordability and decrease energy reliability.

Advocates Call on CA Attorney General, LA District Attorney to Investigate AI Astroturf Campaign

Sierra Club, California Environmental Voters and Coalition for Clean Air demand answers on potential consumer protection violations, identity fraud that helped kill air quality standards in Southern California

Undefining a Zero Emissions Building Harms Consumers, Wastes Energy, and Will Lead to Polluting Buildings

Today, the Department of Energy rescinded its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, which had been in place since June 2024 and was intended to provide clear, certifiable criteria to designate clean buildings.

Sierra Club: Government Shutdown Must Not Lead to Power Shutdowns

As the federal government remains shutdown, with no re-opening date in sight, Sierra Club is urging utilities not to shut off power for people who are unable to pay their energy bills due to lack of resources from federal assistance programs, like Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Attacks on Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards Are Bad for Grid Reliability & Consumers

Today, during an Energy & Commerce Subcommittee hearing, Republican members of the subcommittee attacked appliance energy efficiency standards, a key tool to keep the American energy supply stable, protect public health, reduce or eliminate pollution, and lower costs for consumers.