Mark Jacobson's 100% electric home in Stanford, California. He is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and co-founder of The Solutions Project.
Piedmont Connect supports transitioning to heat pumps as cheaper, greener alternative to fossil fuels
U.S. emissions fell during the height of the pandemic as people were stuck at home, but that changed as the pandemic eased. Many researchers, scientists and lawmakers argue that Americans need to reduce their use of fossil fuels much sooner than they may have planned. Watch this PBS News Hour report on an alternative for home heating that could reduce the use and costs of fossil fuels.
After you use Rewiring America’s calculator to add up your incentives, enjoy “Mr. Heat Pump Goes to Washington.” (3 min)
Piedmont Connect recommends Rewiring America’s Inflation Reduction Act Calculator
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was signed into law August 16, 2022, by President Joe Biden. Rewiring America wants to make adoption of this electric future as quick and seamless as possible, so they have built a calculator to help make households aware of how much money they’ll get through the incentives available to them in this bill. It’s an easy-to-use tool that provides an instant snapshot of what a household can do.
Piedmont Connect’s Zero Emissions Analysis Supports All-Electric Pool
Noting that the design of the new pool facility would have twice the water surface area and 3 times the water volume of the previous aquatics facility, Piedmont Connect science advisors researched and calculated the feasibility of powering Piedmont’s new facility with clean energy rather than natural gas: Piedmont Connect Achieving a Zero GHG Emissions Pool Facility
Final pool concept design approved by City Council on January 18, 2022. Piedmont Aquatic Center Final Concept Video
After months of discussion, Piedmont’s City Council voted unanimously April 4, 2022 to approve plans to heat the new community pool with electricity rather than natural gas. The decision puts Piedmont at the forefront of heating large public swimming pools with electricity and one of only a handful of cities in the state building such a project.
Piedmont Bond Measure UU passed in Nov 2020 and allowed the City of Piedmont to sell $19MM in bonds to fund construction this new aquatics facility, replacing Piedmont’s former pool which reached the end of its usable life after 50+ years. The new aquatic facility is expected to open in 2024.
Cost analysis from April 4, 2022 City of Piedmont report
A typical Piedmont older home may have a 100-amp electrical panel. Think you need a new electrical panel to go all-electric? Think again!
Piedmont Connect promotes 2nd Annual East Bay Green Home Tour
The 2nd annual East Bay Green Home Tour occurred virtually on May 14 & 15, 2022 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. with live, homeowner Q&A. Now, view the tour recordings to learn about green home improvements, techniques, contractors, rebates, all-electric ADUs and more— all available to East Bay homeowners.
This free, two-day, virtual tour of East Bay homes is a chance to learn what neighbors are doing to combat climate change, improve air quality, generate clean energy, and move towards a safer, healthier, greener future. There’s plenty of inspiration, tips, and shared learning to make your own electrification, zero-fossil-fuel, emissions-free, planet-safe, climate-beneficial dreams come true!