Embedded Files
I found this article in our local Axios online news source. If you are interested in those EV tax credits, the time is running out!
What to know about EVs before the rebate deadline
Monica Eng
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/17/what-to-know-buying-evs-rebate-deadline
It's not too late!
For what you ask? Read this article I just received from Climate Reality:
Save with Clean Energy Credits Before They Expire
If you’ve ever considered purchasing an electric vehicle, installing solar, or switching to a heat pump, now’s the time to do it.
After the passage of the so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill in July, many popular clean energy incentives that American households and busin
esses have used to save thousands of dollars are expiring soon.
These can be big ticket items and not everyone can afford them. For those who can, using federal incentives now means you’ll save real money upfront – and save on utility, maintenance, and transportation costs for years.
Use the link to the information below to see where you can save and how long you have to act for each incentive.
https://www.climaterealityproject.org/save-clean-energy-credits-they-expire
Today I'm sharing a story that appeared in our local online paper. It's about someone who is in my League of Women Voters Climate Interest Group, and recently installed a heat pump.
Keep cool and help fight climate change
If your air conditioner is aging, consider a heat pump
by Wendy Pollock July 6th, 2025
Here she shares her experience: https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/07/06/keep-cool-and-help-fight-climate-change/
Seemed like time for a trip to the archives, so I found this article from Sierra, that I missed somehow last summer. It tells about people getting together as communities to fund solar energy! What a great idea!
How Communities Can Power Their Own Just Clean Energy Transition
The climate crisis presents an opportunity to rewrite everything from ownership to energy independence
By Cinnamon Janzer June 30, 2024
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/how-communities-can-power-their-own-just-clean-energy-transition
Today my post is from HEATED:
"Abbott says megafloods are “just part of nature.” The fossil fuel industry disagrees.
In leaked audio from a meeting last month, gas industry representatives acknowledged that extreme weather is getting wackier and more dangerous."
Emily Sanders Jul 10, 2025
"This is exactly what Project 2025 proposed-
Analysts called it "extreme" and "unlikely." Now, it's almost reality."
Emily Atkin Jul 01, 2025, HEATED
Sorry I have been away for a few days, but you are probably aware that a lot is going on. I just got this news from HEATED, and I want to share it with you.
"It's hot. Fossil fuels made it hotter.
And it'll still be the coldest summer of your life if Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" passes this week."
Emily Atkin Jun 23
I'm tempted to say Hot enough for ya, but instead I will share this timely article I received from HEATED:
"With so many day-to-day atrocities, it can easy to forget about the climate crisis if it’s not smacking you directly in the face. But millions of us are feeling the heat this week. Lawmakers in Congress should, too."
It's that time of year when many of us are thinking about summer travel. Here is One5C with some tips for making our travel more sustainable:
A sustainable traveler’s guide to summer vacation
What’s the ‘greenest’ way to travel? We rate 8 popular tips.
By Molly Glick June 19, 2025
What's in that "Big, Beautiful Bill" that is coming up for a vote in the House? Nothing good for us! Here is the latest news about it from Heated:
“Let’s not mince words: Republicans are trying to raise your energy bills and destroy thousands of American jobs—simply to pad the pockets of billionaires, fossil fuel executives, and their top corporate backers with massive tax cuts,” Evergreen Action said in a statement.
Trump's big, oily bill
The anti-clean energy provisions in Trump's budget bill could raise household energy costs by as much as 7 percent.
Emily Atkin May 20, 2025
Here is an imaginative story from HEATED involving football, students, and air conditioning. I hope you like it.
I know why Jalen Hurts
I know why Jalen Hurts
is mad at Trump
is mad at Trump
Or at the very least, I know why he should be.
Or at the very least, I know why he should be.
Emily Atkin May 01, 2025
An electric pickup you might actually be able to afford
In news from One5C, here is an article you might want to look into if you are looking to buy a pickup truck: "Cause for optimism-
American pickup trucks are huge. Electric American pickup trucks are huge and cost as much as German luxury cars. That could change, if upstart-automaker Slate can get the vehicles it unveiled last week on the road. Some prototypes are already out in the world, and the company says that its $20,000 (after tax incentives) two-seat rides should start showing up in driveways and Home Depot parking lots next year. Slate’s truck is about the size of a 1980s Toyota pickup; it sports a 5-foot bed, a 150-mile range (you can opt for a bigger battery), and a no-frills interior. No frills as in crank windows and only one screen, which spends most of its time as a speedometer. Want GPS? Use your phone; there’s a holder. Want music? Use your phone. You get the idea. If this sounds like the electric hauler you’ve been waiting for, Slate is taking preorders."
Here is a link to the company website: https://www.slate.auto/en
Here's a handy guide for boosting your home's energy efficiency from One5C. It's supposed to be aimed at renters, but I think these ideas could benefit most of us.
9 RENTER-FRIENDLY UPGRADES TO BOOST YOUR HOME'S EFFICIENCY
By Matt Berical
https://one5c.com/energy-efficiency-tips-that-wont-mess-up-a-lease-137204042/
Trump Misrepresents Facts About Coal
Can coal be "clean?" Here are the facts from this AP article: "Along with carbon dioxide, burning coal emits sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that contribute to acid rain, smog and respiratory illnesses, according to the EIA."
Is it cheaper? "THE FACTS: Coal is one of the most expensive sources of new power generation. New coal plants would produce electricity at nearly $90 per megawatt hour on average, though no one in the U.S. is currently building or planning to build a new coal plant, according to estimates from the EIA.
Standalone solar without battery storage is the cheapest source of new power generation at about $23 per megawatt hour on average for new projects connecting to the grid in 2028, the EIA estimates. That includes tax credits and other subsidies under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which help reduce the cost of renewable energy."
https://apnews.com/article/trump-coal-industry-mining-fact-check-69bc9919c2899a87c65c4c89a84a973e
Here is an article from last month that I saw in the One5C newsletter pertaining to coal use- something that was just in the news!
"Wind and solar generated more energy than coal for the first time in U.S. history last year, according to Ember’s latest annual report. Coal took on 15% of the demand, but wind and solar slid in with 17%—up from around 15% last year."
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/us-electricity-2025-special-report/
I short trip back into the "archives" found this fairly recent article from Heated. It's a good reminder of why we need to move away from fossil fuels. Now!
Why vilify the oil and gas industry?
Why vilify the oil and gas industry?
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE EV CHARGER BUILD-OUT
By Olivia Gieger
There has been a lot in the news lately about electric cars, mainly negative, and about Tesla. That brand has taken a hit because of the unpopular actions of its owner, but most electric car owners love their cars, and there are many other brands to choose from.
One issue with electric cars can be finding a place to charge them. Of course, if you own your own home, you can plug into your house current overnight, for surprisingly little on your electric bill! My husband has found lots of places around town to plug in our car, since we now live in a condo, and don't have chargers in our parking lot. Here is an article from One5C about what we can do to "give EV charging a boost!"
It turns out that a lot of Republicans know that their states don't want to lose those incentives in the IRA that are helping their people and businesses. This is from Politico, courtesy of One5C:
House Republican support grows for keeping clean energy tax breaks
Lawmakers are expected to start the difficult task this week of determining which of the credits are on the chopping block to help pay for the GOP’s budget bill.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/10/house-republican-clean-energy-tax-breaks-00218126
How do you feel about Daylight Savings Time? Like most people, I hate the whole switching back and forth thing, but I'm enjoying that it stayed light longer tonight! Here is an article from Sustainable Jungle about DST's effect on saving energy:
ARE WE SAVING ENERGY AS WELL AS DAYLIGHT?
https://preview.mailerlite.com/c8g5l5s0m2/2695911721905690383/c9l0/
Why heat pump sales
are heating up
How we joined the trend and made the switch to clean efficient heating
by Wendy Pollock February 3rd, 2025
From our local Evanston news source, The Evanston Roundtable
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/02/03/why-heat-pump-sales-are-heating-up/
Here is a look back into the "archives" for an article from Sierra published a year ago:
The Key to Electric Grid Reliability? Renewables.
Fossil-fuel-reliant utilities are less reliable than they claim
By Ben Jealous January 24, 2024
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/key-electric-grid-reliability-renewables?
Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells Leak Greenhouse Gases
Abandoned oil wells are a huge problem in our country. There are estimated to be over 2 million unsealed wells leaking methane and other chemicals into our air and water.
This article from Sierra's energy issue tells how money from the Infrastructure bill is helping state governments plug them.
How to Navigate the Clean Energy Transition
Nov. 9, 2024 It turns out that this is a really good time to look into the incentives available to electrify your home, before they disappear. Sierra has several articles about them, so click on the link below, and I will post more soon. But don't wait too long! I will keep posting them.
Here is another article from Sierra about electrifying our lives, and the incentives available to make it easier. This one is a game!
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2024-3-fall/feature/how-navigate-clean-energy-transition
Getting off Gas, Block by Block
Here's another article from Sierra about going electric. This one is about electrifying BEFORE needing to replace aging gas pipelines! https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2024-3-fall/feature/getting-gas-block-block
Electrify Your Wheels:
Here Are the Latest EVs for Bargain Hunters
There are more affordable EVs than ever before
By Jim Motavalli Illustrations by Heather Jones
Check Out the New Range of E-Bikes
Are you considering getting an "E-Bike"? If you are, you should read this article from Sierra's "clean energy issue." https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2024-3-fall/feature/electrify-your-wheels-check-out-new-range-e-bikes
Here is another article from Sierra's "Clean Energy Transition" series. This one is about needing electricians to do the work of all that electrifying! So if you know of anyone trying to decide what to be when they "grow up", electricians will be in demand!
Electrifying Everything will Require a Much Larger Workforce
Coal CEOs are the new crypto bros-
Alliance Resource Partners isn’t just mining coal anymore. It’s also mining Bitcoin.
Do you understand Bitcoin or Bitcoin mining? Me neither, but it sounds like it uses a lot of energy and isn't great for the environment! Here's a piece from Heated about it:
I really like this One5C environmental website. I would even recommend going directly to them for great ideas! Anyway, here's one that is in keeping with the Halloween "spirit, lol.
HOW TO SLAY ENERGY VAMPIRES
By Sal Vaglica"
"What is vampire power?
Most household electronics and appliances consume electricity when they’re plugged in but not in use. This wasted energy earned the nickname vampire power because of the steady, merciless way in which it’s drained."
Oct. 2024 I found this article through One 5C, but they got it from Consumer Reports:
What You Should Know Before You Buy a Used Electric Vehicle
They may be less expensive than gas or hybrid cars, but how long will the battery last? Will you qualify for a tax credit? CR's experts answer your questions.
By Keith Barry Updated October 15, 2024
Credits for new clean vehicles purchased in 2023 or after
Credits for new clean vehicles purchased in 2023 or after
Are you or is someone you know thinking about buying a new car? The Inflation Reduction Act could give you a $7500 tax credit on a qualified plug in vehicle! Find out more by clicking the link below:
https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/credits-for-new-clean-vehicles-purchased-in-2023-or-after
Find information on credits for
used clean vehicles, qualified commercial clean vehicles and new plug-in EVs purchased before 2023.
Here is an informative article about one family's experience installing a heat pump, from one of our local news sources, The Evanston Roundtable. If you are considering using a rebate from the IRA to make some home improvements, you may find this helpful.
Lessons in eco-home renovating
by Ben Kaplan June 5th, 2024
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/06/05/lessons-in-eco-home-renovating/
Here is another good article I recently read in Sierra:
Climate-Science Deniers, Right-Wing Think Tanks, and Fossil Fuel Shills Are Plotting Against the Clean Energy Transition
Inside the conspiracy to take down wind and solar power
By Rebecca Burns, Illustrations by Anson Chan, March 12, 2024
3 Tips You Need to Know for Your Home This Spring:
Yes, I know I'm a little late with this, but it is still spring, and if you have been putting these off, what better time for a reminder!
1. Check your sump pump. Most people don't realize that sump pumps are expected to only last between 7-10 years; and often, they don't think to replace it until disaster strikes. It's highly recommended that you check to see that your sump pump is working before May, one of the rainiest months in many areas. To check your sump pump, simply pour a 5 gallon bucket of water into the pump pit. This should cause the float to rise, and you should hear the sump pump motor start. Also, keep in mind that your sump pump relies on electricity to work, and you are most likely to lose electricity during a storm. Consider installing a battery back-up for added for added protection.
2. Walk Around your house. A lot can happen outside your home during the fall and winter months, so it is important to do a visual inspection once it starts warming up. Make sure the external drain to your A/C is clear and not backed up by debris. Look all around your A/C condensing unit and make sure nothing is blocking the airflow around or inside of the unit. Small animals can build nests inside as it is dormant during the cool months. Also, winter can cause damage to gaskets and outdoor pipes, so check all your outside spigots to make sure they are not dripping or leaking down the side of you house.
3. Replace your furnace filter. You have likely heard this advice a million times, but that is because it is so important. If you have a forced air system, the easiest way to keep it running smoothly and efficiently is to replace the furnace filter every 1-3 months. This is particularly true for spring because pollen starts to hit in April. Your home's air quality can be improved with a simple filter change. But don't overdo it! Too many people think that the thicker the filter, the better the air quality. Your system needs good airflow to function at its best, so only use the filter sizes and ratings suggested by your manufacturer. If you are concerned about your home's air quality, consider adding a dedicated HEPA or REME-HALO air purifier.
Thanks to American Vintage Home of Chicago for these helpful tips. https://americanvintagehome.com/
Here's an interesting article from the League of Women Voters of Chicago's Waste Not Want Not page:
Cooking With Smoke
Waste Not Want Not, Written By Julia Utset and Claudia Jackson
What do gas stoves and cigarettes have in common? When burned, they both release many of the same toxic substances detrimental to human health. Additionally, both the gas and tobacco industries knew for decades that these products caused serious health problems without disclosing the risks to the public."
I really like cooking with gas, but I know it's bad for the environment. Our building is looking into upgrading our wiring to see if we can change to electric. Now I see that's it's bad for our health, too! For the rest of the article, click below:
Update on an earlier post-
Evanston's First Passive House!
Thursday, April 25th, 2024, I attended a discussion and slideshow about "EVANSTON'S FIRST PASSIVE HOUSE: CRAFTING A 21ST CENTURY SOLUTION FOR AN EVANSTON HISTORIC DISTRICT". This is the same house that I have posted about before; if you scroll down you will see it. It is done now, and the owner is living in it! She spoke, and told us about herself, and why she moved from Chicago and had this house built. She is retired now, but in the past was a college basketball player, and founding President of the Chicago Sky Women's Basketball team. I also learned that she was president of the ready-to-eat cereal division at Quaker Oats Company; senior vice-president and general manager of consumer travel solutions for Rand McNally & Co; vice-president of marketing for Ameritech New Media; and president of PepsiCo's juice drink division! I Googled that; she just said she worked in the corporate world. She was very down to earth, going around and talking to everyone, saying "hi, I'm Margaret." The architect, Nathan Kipnis also spoke, and explained everything about the design process, all the features, and how it all works. Incredible! There is a Facebook link to a recording because it was also livestreamed. It's fascinating, I hope you watch it!
Here's more about the Inflation Reduction Act from Sierra:
https://www.sierraclub.org/how-you-can-save-money-thanks-inflation-reduction-
This is from my local online news source- Evanston Roundtable:
"Want to decarbonize your home?
Check your wiring now
Plan ahead for electrical upgrades to keep your options open"
by Brian Becharas April 13th, 2024
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/04/13/want-to-decarbonize-your-home-check-your-wiring-now/
Interested in upgrading your home to all-electric appliances and vehicles?
Generate a personalized electrification plan based on your particular home, lifestyle, and priorities — all in just a few minutes.
https://homes.rewiringamerica.org/personal-electrification-planner
This is from The City Of Evanston's Sustainability Newsletter:
This is from The City Of Evanston's Sustainability Newsletter:
Get the facts on the Inflation Reduction Act
Get the facts on the Inflation Reduction Act
Do you qualify for funding from the Inflation Reduction Act? Renters and homeowners, EV owners and fleet managers, and non profits and local governments can check their eligibility.
Additional resources:
Learn about eligible heat pumps, instructions for how to claim federal tax credits, and access a 'rebate finder'.
Energy Audit/Assessment that can qualify for a tax credit, for electric appliances or weatherization etc.
Find an auditor or reach out to a utility company, state energy office, or Residential Energy Services Network site.
Gaslit no more:
Gaslit no more:
How I learned to love induction cooktops
How I learned to love induction cooktops
February 19th, 2024
https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/02/19/climate-watch-induction-cooktops-superior/
This is one of those "Good News/ Bad News" things. Both come from Sierra, in an ICYMI (in case you missed it) environmental news roundup.
First the good news:
"EPA finalizes stronger standards for harmful soot pollution, significantly increasing health and clean air protections for families, workers, and communities.
Stronger standard will yield up to $46B in net health benefits, save lives, and build healthier communities, while supporting economic growth across America. February 7," 2024.
You can click this link for more on the story: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-stronger-standards-harmful-soot-pollution-significantly-increasing
Now for the bad news:
"Bank of America Rolls Back Restrictions on Financing for Coal, Arctic Oil and Gas
World’s Fourth Biggest Fossil Fuel Funder Weakens Exclusions For Highly Destructive, Risky Projects"
The link is below:
Do you have one of these near you? They say they are in 47 states!
"Electrify America Debuts First Indoor Flagship Station in San Francisco
Electrify America Transforms the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Experience, Creating a Customer Oasis with Hyper-Fast Charging"
Going through my backlog of e-mailed articles (The Archives), I found an interesting one from Sierra By Jared Brey:
"How Do Ocean Wind Turbines Affect Wildlife?
If a bird encounters a wind turbine at sea, will it fly around it?"
It's good to know that the effects are being researched. Click below to learn what researchers found:
The EV Tax Credit Now Acts Like an Instant Rebate
The EV Tax Credit Now Acts Like an Instant Rebate
Finally catching up on some reading, and I found this in the latest print issue of Sierra: "Starting in January of 2024, tax credits for new and used EVs will be available at the point of sale. ...buyers will get a $7,500 rebate for new electric vehicles and $4,000 for used ones, available at any dealership participating in the Internal Revenue Service's Home Energy Tax Credits program."
https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/409
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/the-2024-ev-tax-credit-changes-you-need-to-know/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/ev-tax-credit-electric-vehicle-tax-credit
Here is a useful link if you are considering changing your home or business to all electric energy:
"Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities.
We develop accessible, actionable data and tools, and build coalitions and partnerships to make going electric easier for households and communities. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce. We believe in an abundant, flourishing, climate-safe future, and know that, together, we can realize one. "
Lithium batteries power your world.
Lithium batteries power your world.
How much do you really know about them?
How much do you really know about them?
Here is a seriously concerning article- just as we hoped that EV cars were the breakthrough to save us!
"High-tech and highly efficient batteries have led to many modern technologies that you use in your everyday life. Here's what you need to know about how they work and their environmental safety."
Lithium batteries power your world. How much do you really know about them? (nationalgeographic.com)
And while we're talking about resources that can save (or hurt) us, here's another one from National Geographic:
Cobalt powers our lives.
Cobalt powers our lives.
What is it—and why is it so controversial?
What is it—and why is it so controversial?
Cobalt powers our lives. What is it—and why is it so controversial? (nationalgeographic.com)
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
Here's another great article from Sierra Club:
How to Plug Into the Benefits
of the Inflation Reduction Act
Some tips for fighting global warming by electrifying your life
By Osha Gray Davidson January 10, 2024
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/how-plug-benefits-inflation-reduction-act
Divesting from Big Oil
Why is it so important for us to stop supporting the fossil fuel industries? The fact is that burning fossil fuel is poisoning the air and water, and putting more carbon in the atmosphere which is destroying the earth. When we keep using oil, natural gas and coal, and related products: plastics, and basically everything shipped by fossil fuel, we are giving money to these companies, which in turn gives them more power. They use that power to influence the government, policies and elections.
Here are some instances of their abusive power regarding our precious National Parks, as reported by Sierra magazine:
Carlsbad Caverns: an internationally famous UNESCO World Heritage site and a designated wilderness area, is now also a dumping ground for Big Oil's air and ozone pollution. This drilling even threatens the famous and fragile underground cave systems.
Rocky Mountain National Park: the 265,000 acres of stunning alpine landscapes teeming with bird and mammal species now have ozone levels so high the park has fallen out of compliance with the Clean Air Act. That pollution is even poisoning the ground with nitrogen oxide 15x higher than normal levels!
Grand Teton National Park: home to incredible wildlife like black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, mule deer, and bison. But booming oil and gas development is decimating wildlife populations and threatens to destroy vital migratory corridors.
Saving energy is not only good for the planet, it can save you a bunch of money also! In 2012, when my husband was a member of our local conservation group, we took advantage of our local power company's free energy audit. We thought for sure they were going to tell us we needed all new windows, especially in the room I used as an office, that had six windows. Surprise! The windows, though old, were fine. But the floor in the room, which was added on after the house was built, had no insulation under it! No wonder it was so cold! Same with our front porch. After the audit, we were given a list of contractors who they worked with to correct the problems at reduced costs through energy rebates. Our oil bills went down considerably and our house was much warmer!
How Does a Heat Pump Actually Work?
How Does a Heat Pump Actually Work?
Have you heard of heat pumps? Do you know how they work? To be honest, I didn't, but while searching through the "e-mail archives", I came across this article from Sierra, that explains how they work, why you should want one, and best of all, how you can save $ by getting an incentive from the government!
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/4-november-december/stress-test/how-does-heat-pump-actually-work
Here is an article related to the use of fossil fuels. Not only does continued use of fossil fuel threaten the future of our planet, it also is ruining our health right now.
I have left the links in this article in case you would like to learn more, sign a petition, or make a donation, but what is most important is to think about your fuel usage, what your purchases and political choices support, and what you can do.
From Sierra: Jessica Enzmann, Senior Organizing Representative Clean Transportation for All, Sierra Club
My name is Jessica Enzmann and I am a senior organizer with the Sierra Club. It is my honor to represent our four million supporters and members, including many in New York.
My mom grew up in the Bronx between Hutchinson River Parkway and the Cross Bronx Expressway. She often told me she was a sick kid and needed to stay inside a lot. I realized as I got older this is due to my mother's asthma. Every day she uses a medicated inhaler, and everywhere she goes she brings an emergency inhaler.
When there are poor air quality days, my mom can't leave the house. She can't even walk around her block or be in her yard. It is too dangerous for her health.
We have a moment right now to save lives and drastically improve public health with this rule.
The EPA's proposed clean car standards must be stronger. EPA must now finalize science-based standards that ensure cleaner air for families, advance environmental justice, and protect our health. The standards must reduce emissions by 75 percent by 2030, and put the country on a path so that all new car sales are zero emission by 2035.
We often hear the counterpoints about what is technologically possible. Let me remind you that when my mom was a kid her TV was a piece of furniture in her living room. Now her TV fits in her pocket and it's also her cellphone.
When I think that people in the fossil fuel industry made money off the decisions which made my mother sick, and inaction of the government exacerbated my mom's poor health (likely taking years from her life and absolutely deteriorating her quality of life), it motivates me to pursue my career path and show up today. And I hope it motivates decision makers to prioritize the health of all Americans.
I am here today because I wish someone could have made this change for my mom when she was just a kid. I am here for the future mothers, children, elderly, and all of us. We all benefit from strong pollution rules that will protect our health and our climate.
Please play a role in ensuring cars won't continue to pollute our air for decades to come. Thank you for your time.
Demand President Biden Stop
Demand President Biden Stop
a Disastrous LNG Project
a Disastrous LNG Project
An Urgent Message from Sierra Club! Click on the link at the bottom to learn more and take action!
The battle to end dangerous liquified natural gas, or LNG, expansion along the Gulf Coast is facing its biggest threat yet – a massive fracked methane gas facility called CP2.
This project by Venture Global, the corporation looking to build this climate bomb, is proposed on the Louisiana coast and would be one of the largest LNG facilities in the U.S., emitting an amount of greenhouse gasses each year that is equal to 50 coal-fired power plants!
Here are compelling reasons to include in your comment to the White House and the Department of Energy about why CP2 LNG is NOT in the "public interest":
CP2 LNG isn’t supported by local shrimpers and fishermen, citing the likelihood that it will wipe out their way of life because LNG export facilities like CP2 require heavy dredging of channels and rivers, devastating wildlife and commercial fishing in the process.
We know exporting LNG is a dirty and dangerous energy source, and it doesn’t lower emissions or help us transition to clean energy -- shutting down CP2 LNG is an important step in the fight for a sustainable future.
The US is the world's largest exporter of oil and gas and it is impossible for us to achieve our climate goals by continuing to approve more export facilities. Enough is enough.
Exporting more LNG drives up home heating and energy prices and other goods for Americans!
I was watching a report tonight on CNN about this year being the hottest on record- BY FAR! Temps are still high in Europe, and although we have had some cool and cold days, it has been unseasonably warm here for most of this fall. As winter sets in, let's not forget how hot it was this summer!
LA’s Battle Against Smog Isn’t Over
LA’s Battle Against Smog Isn’t Over
In order to finally clear the air, Los Angeles needs to stop burning fossil fuels
In order to finally clear the air, Los Angeles needs to stop burning fossil fuels
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2023-2-summer/notes-here-there/la-s-battle-against-smog-isn-t-over
Here is an article from the Chicago Sun Times about one of our neighboring communities. My home city of Evanston is also discussing this issue.
Here is an article from the Chicago Sun Times about one of our neighboring communities. My home city of Evanston is also discussing this issue.
Will gas stoves become a thing of the past in Chicago?
Will gas stoves become a thing of the past in Chicago?
Induction stoves, heat pumps and electric appliances may be the future of new Chicago buildings.
Induction stoves, heat pumps and electric appliances may be the future of new Chicago buildings.
By Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco | WBEZ Nov 3, 2023, 3:30pm CST
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2023/11/3/23944975/gas-induction-stoves-electric-appliances-energy-bill-decarbonized-homeowners-chicago-environment
I'm so proud of my new home!
Evanston is working hard to become more sustainable and eliminate tailpipe emissions from its municipal fleet by 2035.
CITY ADDS 12 ELECTRIC FLEET VEHICLES TO ADVANCE CLIMATE ACTION GOALS
EVANSTON, IL - The City of Evanston is proud to announce a significant step towards achieving its Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) goals, the addition of twelve new electric vehicles (EVs) to its municipal fleet. This brings the City closer to its commitment to reaching carbon neutrality.
The City's journey toward electrifying its fleet began in April 2021, when it acquired a 2018 Nissan Leaf electric passenger vehicle. The City then expanded its EV fleet with six Chevy Bolts and five Ford E-Transits. These vehicles have been outfitted with an EV emblem and are actively deployed across City departments including Health and Human Services, Community Development, Public Works and Administrative Services.
In addition to the passenger vehicles, the City has added two electric golf carts and a Tropos electric utility vehicle to its fleet. The Tropos is used by staff at the Robert Crown Community Center and the golf carts are used by the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department and Public Works Agency for their operations.
Installing Electric Charging Infrastructure
Addressing the need for robust charging infrastructure, Facilities and Fleet Management staff have recently installed two dual-mounted chargers at the City’s Service Center tailored to the new E-Transit vans. This addition enhances the City's charging capabilities, accommodating up to four vehicles concurrently.
The City has also partnered with Carbon Day, a ChargePoint partner, to install five dual-mounted charging stations at the Morton Civic Center and three at the City’s Service Center, to be used exclusively for City fleet vehicles. This infrastructure will allow for the simultaneous charging of up to sixteen electric vehicles, with provisions in place to expand as more vehicles are acquired.
Reaching Climate Action & Resilience Plan Goals
The City's Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) includes the goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from its municipal fleet by 2035. This transition from traditional fossil fuel combustion engines to emission-free electric vehicles is a pivotal move toward improving local air quality and safeguarding the health of vulnerable community members. The City’s current municipal electricity agreement provides 100 percent renewable electricity to charge the vehicles, through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Midwest wind farms.
For more information, call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston. Media Contact: Jessie Mayo jmayo@cityofevanston.org
Here's something of interest for anyone who is a member of a faith community. The link at the bottom will take you to a page that is managed by United Women in Faith
Energy and Climate Resiliency Funding Opportunities for Houses of Worship
Learn more about federal grants and other financing opportunities to support your energy future.
"The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that was signed into law in 2022 provided the greatest climate and clean energy investment in U.S. history. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) that was signed into law in 2021 also provided some investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community resilience to climate impacts. Together, these important pieces of legislation will mobilize investments to promote clean and renewable energy, clean energy jobs, and Greenhouse Gas emissions reductions.
Faith communities can leverage these new or expanded federal programs for energy and resiliency improvements. The IRA also made it easier for nonprofits and houses of worship to access clean energy funds and tax credits through a program called “direct pay.” Before the IRA, only homeowners and commercial entities with some tax liability could claim tax credits when installing solar panels or other eligible technologies on an eligible property. Now, the “direct pay” option means non-taxable entities can also benefit from these credits."
Chicago's South and West Sides among top hotspots for air pollution
Chicago's South and West Sides among top hotspots for air pollution
Here's an article from my local news source Axios about air pollution cause by traffic in Chicago and how it affects us physically. But it's not just in Chicago. There's a link in the article rating other places around the U.S.
https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/03/09/chicago-air-pollution-worst-in-nation
HOW TO KEEP HOMES COOL WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING
HOW TO KEEP HOMES COOL WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING
Here's a great article from EcoHome just in time to help us through the hottest weather the earth has ever seen(!???!!) For the entire article, click the link at the bottom.
6 easy tips for keeping a house cool in summer
6 easy tips for keeping a house cool in summer
Anywhere cold air comes in during the winter, hot, humid air will come in during the summer. Inspect around windows, electrical and plumbing openings, and seal any cracks.
Anywhere cold air comes in during the winter, hot, humid air will come in during the summer. Inspect around windows, electrical and plumbing openings, and seal any cracks.
Close all your windows during the heat of the day, and get your fresh air at night. Pay attention to the temperatures inside and out, and wait until it's actually cooler outside to open up the windows.
Block out the sun during the day with opaque curtains or blinds, this reduces the amount of heat that enters the house.
Fans: they don't actually cool the air, but it sure feels like it. At night though, one of the best places for a fan in an upstairs window blowing out. This draws in cool air from all the other open windows. Center of room light fixtures can also be swapped out for a quiet and efficient ceiling fan to help you sleep.
Keep a cold bathtub ready for a plunge. On those hot days and nights, we generally aren't elaborately dressed, so going for a quick dunk in an existing tub of water to being dried and dressed again can take as little as a couple of minutes, and will drastically bring down your body temperature.
Creeping plants on outside walls such as vines for example, can prevent some heat from being absorbed by your walls. And the phenomenon of evapotranspiration that plants use to regulate their internal temperature helps to refresh the air. Read more here about vertical gardens and living green walls inside homes.
Heat pump water heaters help cool a home as they extract heat from the air to generate hot water. Rather than shooting hot air at your neighbours house, a heat pump water heater converts heat in the air into hot water, and the result is that it expels cool air. We think this is a very cool idea (no pun intended) for cooling a home and saving energy!
https://www.ecohome.net/guides/1451/stay-cool-the-old-fashioned-way/
Underground climate change poses a ‘silent hazard’
Underground climate change poses a ‘silent hazard’
Here's an article about the ground under Chicago is most likely relevant to most big cities!
Heat can cause the ground to swell and building foundations to slowly sink, but that hot air can be captured and turned into energy, Northwestern researchers say.
By Brett Chase | Chicago Sun-Times
Alessandro Rotta Loria, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, decided to find out how hot it gets under Chicago’s Loop, how that affects the soil and what that means in terms of potential damage to building foundations “Fortunately, we are in a position to transform this unwanted phenomenon into a significant opportunity for all cities worldwide,” Rotta Loria said.
You can read the entire story here: https://www.wbez.org/stories/underground-climate-change-poses-a-silent-hazard/ae5818d0-1f1f-478d-a74b-55df40227b4d
Green Home Building
Green Home Building
It's great to see progress, especially when it comes to energy efficiency in home construction. I have been watching this house being built when I take walks, just down the street from me. One day I stopped to read the sign posted in front, and learned that it's going to be a Net Zero house!
Here's an update on this from the Evanston Roundtable:
A growing market for green
A growing market for green
From Axios, a Chicago online publication, I found this article about the sustainable housing market in the Chicago area, but hopefully there are similar things happening in other areas as well:
"Consumers are increasingly concerned about a home's indoor air quality and other health and environmental impacts, says Brian Imus, executive director of Illinois Green Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable buildings."
"Nearly all homeowners and single-family renters think a home impacts health, with young people leading that thinking, per a recent report from the New Home Trends Institute at John Burns Research and Consulting. "
You can find the entire article here:
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-chicago-c84903a3-d5fb-4608-a7ba-fa996414c5b1.html
Here is some (possibly) good news! In an article I read in Oltre, a brand new travel magazine, and backed up by CNBC,
"United Airlines and five corporate partners are investing $100 million to launch a fund backing sustainable aviation fuel.
Joining United are Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase and Honeywell. Feb 21, 2023 "
“This fund is unique. It’s not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we’re creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a release announcing the fund.
Also in Oltre: other airlines that are already testing alternative jet fuels are: Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. The aviation industry has a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. That would be great!
The first set of photos is of the energy audit. The second set is the work we had done to our house in Walden, NY.
So Imagine how surprised I was to read this!
"Toyota among the ‘2022 world’s most obstructive companies on climate policy’ with oil giants"
"Toyota among the ‘2022 world’s most obstructive companies on climate policy’ with oil giants"
In a recent study from Greenpeace, the non-profit organization found Toyota ranked last out of the top ten automakers in terms of decarbonization efforts. The study found Toyota:
Generated less than 1% of total sales from zero-emission vehicles (not hybrids).
Had the least developed supply chain for reducing carbon emissions.
Toyota has offered hybrids for over two decades, which has provided a means of transitioning to zero-emission, fully electric.
Despite this, Toyota is sticking to its hybrid strategy, offering hybrid, fuel-cell, and gas-powered vehicles, claiming:
"Playing to win means playing with all the cards in the deck – not just a select few. So that’s our strategy and we’re sticking to it."
Energy Efficient Vehicles
Energy Efficient Vehicles
We have owned 3 hybrid vehicles: a Saturn Vue SUV, and 2 Toyota Prius V cars. The Vue was a great little SUV that my husband drove to work, then to the community garden over their bumpy roads filled with tools, plants and produce. We took it on lots of trips, then it became my car and I drove it to work every day. After about 15 years we had almost everything replaced on it EXCEPT the battery! The Prius Vs were also great hybrids that we took on lots of road trips after we retired, and saved lots of $ on gas. We would have bought another one, but Prius stopped making them. We now have a Toyota Prius Prime Plug-In, similar to the one in the picture. When we owned our house in Walden, NY, we were able to plug it into our house current, and saw very little, if any change in our electric bills! That really surprised me, and I don't think enough is said about how little electricity it takes to charge these cars. Now we live in a condo in Illinois, and unfortunatly, ours was not one of those with the coveted garage parking spaces. But my husband has been able to find plenty of places to charge the car, many are even close by and free! We loved driving past the gas stations last year when the gas prices were so high!
Here's a link to a great website with info on eco-friendly vehicles: https://www.leafscore.com/auto/
Here are more links:
Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps
ECOHOME is a great website with information about all kinds of products for the home. In this link they explain everything you could want to know about Heat Pumps, and have a ton ten best and why they chose them.
ECOHOME is a great website with information about all kinds of products for the home. In this link they explain everything you could want to know about Heat Pumps, and have a ton ten best and why they chose them.
This from ECOHOME:
This from ECOHOME:
"Choosing the best heat pump can be difficult. Heat pumps are poorly understood, they have often been over-sold, poorly installed, and placed where they can be a noise nuisance. But the best heat pumps are a really good choice for heating green homes..".
"Choosing the best heat pump can be difficult. Heat pumps are poorly understood, they have often been over-sold, poorly installed, and placed where they can be a noise nuisance. But the best heat pumps are a really good choice for heating green homes..".
https://www.ecohome.net/guides/3699/heat-pump-buying-guide-which-are-the-best-heat-pumps/
An article in the April issue of AARP Bulletin explains how "New tax breaks and rebates could lower the cost of big-ticket home improvements", such as Solar Electric Panels, Water Heaters, and different kinds of Heat Pumps. Financial incentives such as tax credits and rebates included in last year's Inflation Reduction Act could help you to reduce your reliance on the established energy grid. "These new tax credits include $2,000 a year for any combination of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and biomass stoves and boilers." To help us make our homes more energy efficient and shift from fossil fuels to electric power, the IRA has authorized almost $9 billion in rebates for upgrades. The rebates will be administered by the states and will cover things such as new electric stoves and heat pump dryers.
AARP also recommends getting an energy audit. "Get that energy audit and weatherize first." The IRA allows for up to $1,200 a year for what's known as envelope upgrade tax credits to cover weatherization. Contact your local energy company to see if you can get a free audit!
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