Cooling Ideas: Protecting our Communities from Extreme Heat

Aug 3

Top 3 vote-getters:

Pass the “Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2021” with Smart Surfaces specification

Contributors: Greg Kats, Julie T. Katzman, Jackson Becce

Summary: Proposes that the upcoming infrastructure bill, or future legislation, should codify a preference in future federal infrastructure investments for Smart Surfaces (which includes reflective and porous surfaces, green roofs, trees, and solar PV). This would cost-effectively bring large cooling, pollution, health, and energy cost benefits to cities, with many of the benefits concentrated in low-income neighborhoods.

Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Pre-Apprenticeship and Business Education Programs for Economic and Environmental Justice

Contributors: Elsia Galawish, Joe Schmultzer, Steve Gelb

Summary: Proposes that existing programs at DOE and DOL could be leveraged to expand HVACR employment among disadvantaged groups by working with HVARC unions to: 1) market HVACR careers to disadvantaged groups as an in-demand, high-paying career, 2) funding for HVAC pre-apprenticeship programs for disadvantaged groups, 3) funding for targeted training on energy and water efficiency for HVACR technicians, and 4) funding for business training to Women-and Minority-owned (WMBE) firms. The BLS estimates that there will be a need for tens of thousands of jobs in the Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) fields over the next decade, so it is critical we seize we begin to build a diverse, skilled workforce today.

Expand Investment Tax Credit to High Efficiency HVAC Equipment to Capture Significant Job Creation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions

Contributors: Brian J. McCarter, Anthony J. Buonicore

Summary: Proposes expanding the existing federal investment tax credit eligibility to include high efficiency HVAC equipment that exceeds the existing energy code requirements. The upfront capital costs of energy efficiency retrofits often lead building owners to postpone upgrades—but the rate of climate change and associated increase in AC demand means we need to rapidly accelerate the deployment of more efficient cooling technologies.