The United States Climate Alliance — a coalition of 25 state governors (including the governors of Puerto Rico and Guam) that have professed a commitment to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement — just agreed to promote policies that will speed up the adoption of heat pumps in their states.
Heat pumps are widely considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to heat and cool your home. As the Department of Energy explains, "heat pumps are able to collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside."
This saves users money due to the efficiency of the operation and also does less harm to the planet than traditional heating methods as the process does not involve burning any oil, gas, or coal.
According to one Natural Resources Defense Council study, gas furnaces produce 45% to 70% more planet-overheating pollution than heat pumps.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee told the Associated Press that heat pumps are "almost a miraculous solution" to three distinct problems: "heating in the winter, cooling in the summer, and a reduction of carbon pollution."
The governors of the U.S. Climate Alliance pledged to "collectively reach 20 million heat pump installations across the coalition by 2030, with the aim of ensuring at least 40 percent of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities," according to a statement. That figure would represent quadruple the number of heat pumps currently installed in the U.S.
Stay hydrated and refreshed this holiday season — without any sugar or harmful additives Nuun’s zero-sugar hydration tablets are a perfect, guilt-free way to enhance your water throughout the day. You’ll get five essential electrolytes for everyday hydration — with zero grams of sugar. Plus, Nuun tablets are certified vegan and gluten-free, and they’re the perfect size to keep in your car, purse, or anywhere you'll want a healthy, restorative drink. Learn more → |
The statement was a bit short on details about how that goal would be met — presumably, that will be left up to each governor. However, there are already tax incentives in place from the Inflation Reduction Act that encourage homeowners to install heat pumps.
Some states have already gotten a head start on the goals, thanks to their residents. In Maine, one report showed heat pump installation is on the rise despite propaganda from dirty energy-based heating companies who see the environmentally friendly devices as a threat to their profits.
Washington state is showing how policies can be implemented to ensure the goals are met, as the state now requires each new home to be built with heat pumps.
"Heat pumps and solar should become items that are required at the sale of each home," wrote one CleanTechnica commenter.
There's a reason dermatologists personally use this daily moisturizing sunscreen more than any other brand Dermatologists see and understand skin at a much deeper level than the rest of us, and they know that the perfect SPF both protects and corrects your skin. That's why they trust, recommend, and personally use EltaMD more than any other brand. EltaMD's clinically tested formulas are designed with dermatologists to meet the needs of any skin type or condition. They're also designed for consistent daily wear to build long-term resilience with a moisturizing, lightweight, non-comedogenic texture — plus hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Learn more → |
Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
