clean-heat

Senate Finance Committee Text Will Raise Costs, Threaten Our Health, and Kill Jobs

Washington, DC – Today, Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee released text of their part of Donald Trump’s so-called “One Big, Beautiful” reconciliation bill in the Senate.

Trump Plans Illegal Attack on Consumer Transparency with Anticipated Elimination of ENERGY STAR

Washington, DC - According to reports, Donald Trump is expected to announce a plan to eliminate ENERGY STAR, a popular and historically bipartisan program that helps consumers make informed decisions about their home appliances in order to lower risks of exposure to harmful pollutants and save money on their energy bills.

DOGE & Trump Fired Entire Staff for Program that Helps People Afford Energy Bills

The entire staff of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program was fired as part of sweeping cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program provides critical help “to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.” LIHEAP helps Americans afford the energy they need to keep their homes safe, powered, and habitable, especially during extreme heat and cold events.

Colorado District Court Dismisses Corporate Landlord Lawsuit Against Clean Buildings

Denver, CO - Last Friday the District of Colorado dismissed a lawsuit from Colorado corporate landlord groups aimed at overturning performance standards for large buildings, ruling the plaintiffs were unable to meet the threshold requirement to pro

Republican Effort to Keep Inefficient Appliances Will Raise Energy Costs and Hurt Manufacturers

Washington, DC - Today, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed on a Congressional Review Act resolution to undermine the recently finalized, strong energy efficiency standard for water heaters, which is supported by manufacturers. The energy efficiency standard phases out energy-wasting water heaters, lowering residential energy bills and shifting the market away from inefficient technologies. At the time it was finalized, the Department of Energy estimated the updated standard will reduce water and energy bills by $7.6 billion per year.

Washington Regulators Adopt Measures That Move the State's Largest Utility Toward Clean Energy, but More Is Needed

SEATTLE — In a mixed decision that highlights the urgency and complexity of Washington state’s clean energy transition, state regulators rejected a request from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to sharply increase gas and electricity rates while taking steps to transition the utility to clean energy. The ruling by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission both moves PSE towards clean energy while also highlighting some of the barriers to meeting Washington’s climate goals. 

HUD Announces Latest Funding Round for Green and Resilient Retrofit Program

Today, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the final round of funding for the Inflation Reduction Act’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), marking the delivery of more than $1.4 billion to provide clean, energy-efficient housing upgrades for low-income communities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

REPORT: Buildings Play Big Role in Unsafe Smog Levels for 5.1 Million Marylanders

BALTIMORE, MD – Buildings play an unexpectedly large role in contributing to dangerous levels of smog pollution, according to new modeling from Sonoma Technology in a report commissioned by the Sierra Club. Smog pollution, otherwise known as ground-level ozone, is a major public health issue in Maryland, with approximately 5.1 million Marylanders living in areas with unsafe levels of smog. Smog can cause chronic respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and premature death.

New Tenant Protection Primer Lays Out Policies to Ensure Decarbonization Efforts are Fair and Equitable

A new policy primer, released today by Sierra Club and Climate & Community Institute, lays out why and how decision-makers at the local, state, and federal level can prioritize tenant protections as efforts to decarbonize buildings gain momentum. From rent and eviction protections to strongly enforced habitability standards, the primer explains a suite of complementary policies and provides existing examples of each as a framework for similar legislation.

Sierra Club Seeks Legal Intervention to Defend Denver's Strong Energy Codes

Denver, CO - Sierra Club and Earthjustice filed a motion to intervene in a second lawsuit targeting Denver’s programs to reduce building sector emissions that contribute to the city’s poor air quality and to climate change.

Talent Passes Resolution to Encourage Upgrades to Clean, Efficient Buildings

TALENT, OR — As extreme weather, including scorching heat waves, threatens large parts of Oregon, Talent’s City Council voted yesterday to pass Resolution 2024-097-R, which encourages upgrades of homes and nonresidential buildings so they have modern, highly efficient appliances.

DOE Defines What Makes a “Zero Emissions Building”

Today, the Department of Energy released its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, which provides clear, certifiable criteria to designate clean buildings. A building can be certified as “zero emissions” through a verification process by third-party, licensed contractors.