Name: New York is spending $1 billion to help residents conserve energy — and lower their bills
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New York is spending $1 billion to help residents conserve energy — and lower their bills

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PublishedAug 04, 2020TopicShare/RepublishAs converge with a surging pandemic and an impending economic collapse, energy-efficient homes are becoming particularly critical to Americans’ well-being. Millions now face tough choices when it comes to energy usage: The longer they stay home to stay safe from both scorching heat and COVID-19, the higher their .New York’s state government, for its part, is eyeing a long-term solution to this conundrum. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is collaborating with the region’s investor-owned utilities to provide clean and energy-efficient solutions to more than 350,000 low-to-moderate income households throughout the state.The collaboration aims to more than double the number of lower-income households that have access to services like voluntary electric load reduction, as well as better insulation and air sealing for more efficient cooling and heating, according to an announcement from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office last week. The initiative will also provide education and community support programs to connect these upgrades to the households most in need.“We must ensure that all New Yorkers have access to clean energy and are not left behind in the transition to a green economy, particularly those in our most vulnerable communities who most directly feel the harmful impacts of climate change and environmental degradation,” Governor Cuomo said in a last week.To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.The statewide plan will invest $1 billion through 2025. Half of that total will be used to “improve energy efficiency in affordable multifamily buildings,” and more than $300 million has been reserved to “reduce energy burdens by increasing access to energy efficiency for LMI [low and moderate income] homeowners and renters,” according to the governor’s statement. To ensure the long term success of the program, $45 million has been allocated for “community-level engagement and capacity building with community-based organizations.”John Mandyck, CEO of the nonprofit Urban Green Council in New York City, said that the new initiative is a laudable first step toward a sustainable future that actually benefits all income levels, including those most affected by pollution and high utility costs. He pointed out that energy efficiency upgrades also have the potential to improve indoor air quality for many lower-income households and multifamily buildings, because poor insulation allows pollution from outside of the home to seep inside.The initiative complements other efforts across the state to blunt the impact of high utility costs. In May, New York City announced that it had with their utility bills and also agreed to give out to the city’s low-income seniors.However, energy efficiency updates would provide longer term solutions for families that are burdened by rising utility bills, extreme summer heat, and an inability to safely access public spaces during a pandemic. They will also help the Empire State meet its .To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.“There’s no one approach that’s going to move us to a zero-carbon future,” Mandyck told Grist. “It’s going to be a menu of thousands of different items… including this one.”The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.&nbsp;Our in-depth approach to solutions-based journalism takes time and proactive planning, which is why Grist depends on reader support. Your gifts keep our unbiased, nonprofit news site free. Donate today, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.&nbsp;The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. Donate today, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.&nbsp;To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.Sponsored by Friends of the Columbia Gorge

PublishedAug 04, 2020TopicShare/RepublishAs converge with a surging pandemic and an impending economic collapse, energy-efficient homes are becoming particularly critical to Americans’ well-being. Millions now face tough choices when it comes to energy usage: The longer they stay home to stay safe from both scorching heat and COVID-19, the higher their .New York’s state government, for its part, is eyeing a long-term solution to this conundrum. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is collaborating with the region’s investor-owned utilities to provide clean and...

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Angely Mercado

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New York is spending $1 billion to help residents conserve energy — and lower their bills

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