Kristen Cheriegate | ICAST Policy Analyst
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States Pledge to Boost Heat Pump Sales
An agreement was signed by environmental agencies in nine states, calling for electric heat pumps to comprise 90% of residential heating, air conditioning, and water heating sales in the signatory states by 2040. Though not legally binding, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) holds that these states—California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island—”recognize the importance of state leadership and coordinated state action to ensure national progress in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions and address climate change.” The MOU also contains an interim goal of at least 65% of residential-scale heating, air conditioning, and water heating equipment shipments being zero-emission heat pump equipment by 2030.
Report Estimates Community Solar Market Growth
A report from Wood Mackenzie, developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Community Solar Access, expects the cumulative U.S. community solar market to surpass 14 GW by 2028. Community solar installations totaled 827 MW through Q3 2023, an 8% increase compared to the first three quarters of 2022. Further, the share of community solar serving low- and moderate-income (LMI) subscribers has grown from 2% in H2 2022 to 10% in H2 2023, with the cost to subscribe LMI customers declining 30% year-over-year. Note that in addition to its positive forecasts, the report includes alternative forecasts to benchmark key market uncertainties, which is key because community solar is highly dependent on state and federal legislation.
FEMA Advances Biden-Harris Administration’s Goals to Reach Net-Zero by 2050
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that for the first time, it will fund net-zero energy projects through its Public Assistance grant program, which covers rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations, and other community infrastructure investments post-disasters. It also funds net-zero energy projects for its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. It now offers incentives through its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities annual grant program to encourage more communities to use net-zero projects. This announcement follows another in March 2023 that FEMA will fund low-carbon construction materials for the three programs as part of its work through the Federal Buy Clean Initiative.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests Funding for Indigenous Communities
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $20 million to support federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villages. The funding will help recipients access emerging private markets for forest resilience, climate mitigation, water quality, carbon sequestration, and more. It is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and is distributed through competitive grants administered by the USDA Forest Service. The deadline for proposals is August 21, 2024. Eligible activities include developing forest management plans, reforestation, establishing demonstration sites, and protecting biodiversity.