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CATF supports the U.S. federal government’s carbon-free electricity commitment, providing recommendations to maximize its impact

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WASHINGTON — Clean Air Task Force submitted comments to the U.S. federal government this week in response to a request for information regarding its plan to transition the federal government to a carbon-free electricity supply, supporting the government’s ambition while urging it to improve key provisions. 

“Clean Air Task Force fully supports the U.S. government’s efforts to transition to a carbon-free electricity supply, which would put its immense buying power to work decarbonizing the electricity grid and commercializing a full suite of critical carbon-free technologies,” said Lindsey Baxter Griffith, Federal Policy Director at CATF. “The government’s ambitions are laudable, and there are clear steps it can take to improve its current plan to ensure this effort makes its desired, and sorely needed, impact.” 

The current plan, announced as part of an executive order from President Biden in December, commits the U.S. federal government to procuring carbon-free energy and establishes a goal to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035. It also requires each federal agency to increase its percentage use of carbon-free electricity, to match electricity use on an hourly basis, to achieve 50% 24/7 carbon-free electricity by fiscal year 2030, to achieve a 65% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, and to catalyze the development of at least 10 gigawatts of new American clean electricity production by 2030. 

CATF experts carefully examined the Biden Administration’s plan and provided detailed evaluations and recommendations to increase its impact. These include: 

  1. The federal government should require a minimum percentage of carbon-free energy supply in each hour, such that by 2030 at least 50% of the load is being matched by carbon-free energy supply in every hour of the year. CATF recommendations explain “without this change, there is little chance of reaching 100% of load being matched by carbon-free energy supply in every hour of the year by 2035.” 

    Alternatively, if the federal government keeps the existing methodology, then CATF recommends that it require at least 80% matching with a stated preference for reaching even higher levels by 2030.  

  1. The carbon-free energy product should be designed and standardized across federal agencies so that it can be replicated by a wide range of non-government buyers and suppliers, including competitive retail suppliers serving retail customers, utilities, and community choice aggregation programs. 
  1. More broadly, when reviewing supply offers, the federal government should establish priorities and clear criteria that align their selection decisions with the overarching goal to achieve a fully decarbonized grid by 2035. Revealing these criteria in advance would enable suppliers to develop offers that more directly meet the needs of the federal government in a whole-of-government approach, as well as structure offers to better meet the targets set by President Biden’s executive order. 

Read the full submission from CATF.  

Griffith continued: “The federal government took a major step forward by announcing a bold benchmark for electricity procurement. Now it’s time to ensure that the details match the scope and scale of those ambitions. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to weigh in on this critical effort, and look forward to working with the Administration to ensure its electricity procurement practices drive the changes needed to ensure a carbon-free U.S. electricity grid.” 

Press Contact

Troy Shaheen, Communications Director, U.S., Clean Air Task Force, [email protected], +1 845-750-1189

About Clean Air Task Force

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world.  

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Originally Appeared Here

Go Electric At Home, Too – Eugene Weekly

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The city of Eugene is looking to electrify new buildings starting in 2023. One personal move we made in that direction was to purchase a new induction cooktop range with magnetic cookware for our home, although one could use a portable, less costly, counter top model.

Our previous stove tops were gas because we wanted all the BTUs we could get, and “Don’t all the famous chefs use gas?” Being sort of foodies, high cooking heat is often important to us. But we are very concerned about the planet and the future for all of us as the Earth’s warming is causing catastrophic conditions already and methane gas is one of the leading contributors to planet-warming gasses in our air. We now know gas stoves leak more methane than previously thought.

So we investigated electric induction cooking and found we could get all the heat we could possibly need and address global warming at the same time. For example, our induction cooktop boils water twice as fast as gas, the precision controls provide immediate adjustments to heat and our kitchen is cooler. 

Not only that, we feel safer: There is no catching things on fire or burning fingers, the indoor air pollution is essentially gone and we have reduced our carbon footprint in the atmosphere. Also we love the incredible ease of cleaning after cooking. 

We appreciate the city’s direction. Hopefully others will do what they can to address global heating. 

Martha and Peter Dragovich

Eugene

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‘I had a panic attack,’ says Forsyth County official about air pollution from Weaver Fertilizer fire

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Winston-Salem fertilizer plant fire (Photo: Screen grab Winston-Salem Fire Dept. drone footage)

Fertilizer chemicals also stored near other low-income neighborhoods, communities of color

T hirty-six hours after a catastrophic fire broke out at the Weaver Fertilizer plant, the air in this Winston-Salem neighborhood was practically unbreathable.

Levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM 2.5, peaked at more than 30 times the EPA’s eight-hour average.

“I had a panic attack,” Minor Barnette, director of the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection, said. “I had never seen numbers like that.”

Even average levels of PM 2.5 — invisible particulates that burrow deep into the lungs — were so high that they were categorized as “hazardous” to public health, based on EPA guidelines.

Barnette debriefed the Environmental Management Commission yesterday on the Weaver Fertilizer fire, where 500 tons of ammonium nitrate ignited and burned from Jan. 31 until at least Feb. 6, when the building’s ruins were still smoldering. His account illustrated how close the city came to an unfathomable disaster. That includes a troubling discovery several days after the blaze of an open-air shed containing fertilizer which was leaching into a creek.

At 6:45 on the evening of Jan. 31, the Winston-Salem Fire Department received a call that the plant was on fire. The fertilizer was stored in a wooden building that didn’t have a sprinkler system — a situation that was lawful, based on when the facility was built in 1939.

“It was in a highly developed area,” Barnette said. The city had grown around the plant, with homes, businesses and a prison nearby. The area is largely a community of color and a low-income neighborhood. State environmental regulators have designated it “potentially underserved.”

For two hours firefighters poured 600,000 gallons of water on the blaze. “It had done almost no good,” Barnette said.

Meanwhile, just feet from the plant, a rail car contained another 100 tons of ammonium nitrate.

Because of the risk of explosion, at 9 p.m. 6,500 people within a mile of the plant were asked to evacuate.

Ammonium nitrate is an oxidizer. That means although not inherently flammable, it can ignite and explode when it comes into contact with other hot materials. An ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas, in 2013 killed more than a dozen people and flattened a neighborhood. That disaster involved only 250 tons of the chemical; there was more than twice that amount stored at Weaver.

In addition, there were 4.5 million pounds of 26 other chemicals stored at the plant, according to the facility’s inventory report. “You see these in a chemistry textbook,” Barnette said. “They’re not what you want to see during a hot fire.”

Over the next day, the EPA set up stationary air monitors around the evacuation zone, and added a roving monitor to measure pollutant levels between them. The FAA closed airspace above the plant so government officials could fly drones, some of them equipped with thermal imaging equipment to monitor the fire.

The rail car, it appeared, was cool enough for firefighters to approach it. The ammonium nitrate “wasn’t off gassing, wasn’t molten,” Barnette said, indicating the risk of explosion was low.

Firefighters flooded the rail car with water — 10,000 gallons per minute — to keep the material from igniting.

This warehouse at 3100 Glenn Road is also owned by Meherrin Fertilizer, the parent company of Winston Weaver. Like the main fertilizer plant and another large storage barn, this building is near dense residential neighborhoods. (Photo: Google Street View)

More stashes of fertilizer chemicals found near residential neighborhoods

All that water carried chemicals into nearby Monarcas Creek, which feeds other waterways that eventually flow into the Yadkin River. “Fish were dying in the streams,” Barnette said.

Workers soon built a large earthen berm to contain the runoff. To determine the extent of the water pollution, a contractor for the city tested the creek uphill from the plant in order to get background levels. “They were not normal,” Barnette said of the test results.

While levels of ammonia and phosphorus — used to make fertilizer — were lower those downstream, they shouldn’t have been present at all.

The source of the contamination was Weaver Fertilizer. The company had been legally storing chemicals in an open-sided shed along Brownsboro Road. Rain had carried the contaminants into the creek.

The Brownsboro Road shed, represented by the yellow dot, is just east of an apartment complex, represented by the purple dots. Although a tree line separates the two buildings, it is only 222 feet between them. (Map: Forsyth County GIS)
The open-sided shed at 4020 Brownsboro Road, which stores fertilizer chemicals. It is owned by Meherrin Fertilizer, the parent company of Winston Weaver. (Photo: Google Street Map)

The parcel according to county records, is owned by Meherrin Fertilizer — Weaver’s parent company — based in Severn, in Northampton County. The shed containing the chemicals is 222 feet from the back doors of an apartment complex, according to county GIS maps.

After being cited by the city, the company improved the shed to keep out the rain. However, zoning regulations allow the shed to remain on the property.

Meherinn also owns a 123,000 square-foot warehouse at 3100 Glenn Ave., south of Weaver Fertilizer, in Winston-Salem. The brick building was constructed in 1958. Like the Weaver Fertilizer plant, it does not have a sprinkler system, according to county records.

The warehouse is across the street from a residential neighborhood, which is 73% persons of color and 68% low-income.

Several members of the state’s Environmental Management Commission urged Barnette to track the health of people who live near the main fertilizer plant. They would have been exposed to the air pollution before they evacuated; when they returned home, the indoor air could also still be contaminated.

Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. “It was such a destructive fire, it is hard to draw conclusions,” Barnette said.

It is unlikely that the Weaver plant will be rebuilt; if it were, the structure would have to meet current fire and building codes. Most likely, Barnette said, “it will be a
vacant piece of property.”

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Originally Appeared Here

Carrier Global : CIAT Air Handling Solution Provides Cleaner, More Comfortable Air for Crawley’s New Civic Centre

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WEST SUSSEX, England, 10th March 2022 – Staff and visitors to Crawley Borough Council’s new Civic Centre will benefit from outstanding indoor comfort with a new high-efficiency CIAT air conditioning and ventilation system. Three modular ClimaCIAT™ Air Handling Units (AHUs), equipped with high-grade filters to help support indoor air quality, will maintain year-round climate conditions for the nine-storey development, including a 41,000 square foot town hall with a double-height reception area and 77,000 square feet of commercial office space. CIAT is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

CIAT’s innovative ClimaCIAT AHUs are all Eurovent certified, meeting the latest efficiency and performance requirements under Ecodesign Directive regulations.

The AHUs are equipped with an advanced intelligent electronic control system, enabling them to be connected to building management systems to optimise performance and efficiency as part of a total building support system. This includes fine control of temperature and humidity levels and the management of fans, filter fouling levels and heat exchange coils. The control system is fully integrated into each unit, including wiring and sensors, and can be easily selected and configured using the dedicated software and tools.

“ClimaCIAT AHUs provide a complete ventilation solution for all buildings, whether in the public or private sector,” said Matthew Hopwood, Airside Sales Manager, CIAT. “In addition to providing excellent comfort levels and reliability, their efficiency ensures reduced carbon emissions and lower running costs throughout the lifetime of equipment. On both environmental and economic grounds, they deliver a win-win.”

For more details on ClimaCIAT, visit www.ciat.uk.com/product/climaciat-air-tech/.

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ClimaCIAT units are equipped with an advanced intelligent electronic control system.

About CIAT

CIAT is one of Europe’s leading names in cooling, heating, and indoor air quality. Renowned for its capacity to create innovative, durable and high-performing products, CIAT offers a complete range of equipment that is designed to work together. CIAT latest innovations have been specially designed to meet the most demanding requirements. CIAT is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, the leading global provider healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

For more information, visit www.ciat.uk.com.

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Dallas County Reports a Total of 569 New Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases and 11 Deaths, Including 290 Probable Cases

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Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) provided more than 500,000 total doses of COVID-19 vaccine at the Fair Park mega-vaccine clinic, which operated from January 11 through July 17. A vaccination clinic is open at the Dallas College Eastfield Campus Location on Thursdays – Saturdays from 9 am-6 pm. A weekly pop-up vaccination clinic will also take place at Fair Park on Tuesdays from 12:30 pm-6 pm and on Sundays, from 10 am – 4 pm.

The additional deaths being reported today include the following:

  • A man in his 30s who was a resident of the City of Garland. He expired in an area hospital ED and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 40s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 40s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 50s who was a resident of the City of Cedar Hill. She had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 60s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 60s who was a resident of a long-term care facility in the City of Dallas. He had been hospitalized and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 70s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. She was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 70s who was a resident of the City of Lancaster. She was found deceased at home and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 80s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He expired in hospice and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A man in his 90s who was a resident of the City of Dallas. He had been hospitalized and had underlying high-risk health conditions.
  • A woman in her 90s who was a resident of the City of Irving. She had been critically ill in an area hospital and had underlying high-risk health conditions.

To date, a total of 1,658 cases with SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified and investigated in residents of Dallas County, including 162 cases of B.1.1.7 (Alpha); 4 cases of B.1.351 (Beta); 1,2670 cases of B.1.617.2 (Delta); 14 cases of B.1.427 (Epsilon);  20 cases of P.1 (Gamma);  9 cases of B.1.526 (Iota); 4 cases of C.37 (Lambda); 2 cases of B.1.621 (Mu); 172 cases of B.1.1.529 (Omicron); and 1 case of P.2 (Zeta). Three hundred and five cases have been hospitalized and 44 have died. Twenty-five COVID-19 variant cases were reinfections. Four hundred and thirty-eight people were considered fully vaccinated before infection with a COVID-19 variant. As of 3/4/2022, a total of 808 confirmed and probable cases were reported in CDC week 8 (week ending 2/26/22), which is a weekly rate of 30.7 new cases per 100,000 residents.

As of the week ending 2/26/2022, about 80% of Dallas County residents age 12 years and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including 98% of residents age 65 years and older; 86% of residents between 40-64 years of age; 77% of residents 25-39 years of age; 66% of residents 18-24 years of age; and 61% of residents 12-17 years of age.  In the cities of Addison, Coppell, Highland Park, Irving, and Sunnyvale, greater than 92% of residents 18 years of age and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  In the cities of Cedar Hill, Desoto, Farmers Branch, Garland, Lancaster, and University Park, greater than 80% of residents 18 years of age and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (See below). About 55.7% of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Week 8 were Dallas County residents who were not fully vaccinated. In Dallas County, 35,606 cases of COVID-19 breakthrough COVID-19 infections in fully vaccinated individuals have been confirmed to date, of which 3,406 (9.6%) were hospitalized and 559 have died due to COVID-19.

Of all Dallas County residents tested for COVID-19 by PCR during the week ending 2/26/2022 (CDC week 8), 5.4% of respiratory specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. For week 8, area hospital labs have continued to report elevated numbers and proportions of respiratory specimens that are positive for other respiratory viruses by molecular tests: parainfluenza (2.74%), rhinovirus/enterovirus (35.62%), and RSV (2.46%).

There are currently 63 active long-term care facility outbreaks. A cumulative total of 6,378 residents and 4,270 healthcare workers in long-term facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 1,305 have been hospitalized and 882 have died. About 16% of all deaths reported to date have been associated with long-term care facilities.

There have been 11 outbreaks of COVID-19 in a congregate-living facility (e.g. homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes) reported within the past 30 days. A cumulative total of 840 residents and 295 staff members in congregate-living facilities in Dallas have been diagnosed with COVID-19. New cases are being reported as a daily aggregate, with more detailed data dashboards and summary reports updated on Friday evenings, available at: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/2019-novel-coronavirus/daily-updates.php.

Local health experts use hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and ER visits as three of the key indicators as part of determining the COVID-19 Risk Level (color-coded risk) and corresponding guidelines for activities during our COVID-19 response. The most recent COVID-19 hospitalization data for Dallas County, as reported to the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, can be found at www.dallascounty.org/covid-19 under “Monitoring Data,” and is updated regularly. This data includes information on the total available ICU beds, suspected and confirmed COVID-19 ER visits in the last 24 hours, confirmed COVID-19 inpatients, and COVID-19 deaths by actual date of death. The most recent forecasting from UTSW can be found here.

“The pandemic has entered into a new phase that is a welcome respites from the high infection rates we have seen for much of the last two years. However, with viruses we know that eventually the virus will morph into another strain that is highly contagious. To be protected from that strain and the still present risk of current strains of COVID, get a vaccine if you have not been vaccinated, or get a booster if you are due for your booster so that you are fully up to date on your vaccine. You can find vaccines near you at vaccines.gov,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

All Dallas County COVID-19 Updates and Information can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/ and all guidance documents can be found here: https://www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/guidance-health.php
Specific Guidance for the Public:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others and continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care
  • Wash your hands often and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children to do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands. Immediately wash your hands.
  • Monitor your health daily. Be alert for symptoms. Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Additional information is available at the following websites:

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Coalition Building Electrification Policies Key in NY Budget / Public News Service

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The New York Legislature will approve Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget by April 1. Environmental advocates are pushing for the fiscal plan to include policies that move buildings off fossil fuels.

Hochul’s budget includes $250 million for electrifying homes as part of a plan to get two million homes in the state electrified or electric-ready by 2030.

During a news conference yesterday hosted by the Renewable Heat Now campaign, Lonnie Portis – environmental policy and advocacy coordinator with Harlem-based group WE ACT for Environmental Justice – said it’s about addressing indoor air pollution that can lead to negative health outcomes for communities of color.

“There’s an opportunity to ensure that neighborhoods that are hit first and worst with air pollution and climate change see developments that are all-electric,” said Portis. “And building electric also enables New York to meet its climate targets in a way that ensures everyone has a safe, warm, healthy home.”

New York leads the nation in premature deaths resulting from air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels in buildings for heating, hot water and cooking. The campaign is asking for $1 billion in the budget to fund all-electric or electric-ready affordable housing.

The campaign also supports the Fossil-Free Heating Tax Credit and Sales Tax Exemption, which would incentivize the move to geothermal heat-pump systems.

Oneida County resident Maggie Reilly installed an air-source heat pump in 2020. It’s kept her home warm while reducing her carbon footprint.

“We must pass the legislation that electrifies New York now,” said Reilly. “The urgency of this action can’t be understated. If anybody wants to learn about these air-source heat pumps, they totally work in cold climate and we have cold climate here in central New York.”

The tax credit and exemption have been introduced in the Senate and Assembly.

The coalition is also calling for the passage of the All Electric Building Act, which requires new buildings to have all-electric space and water heating and appliances. It passed the Senate Housing Committee on Wednesday.

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Idaho lawmakers want more control over building codes that regulate energy efficiency.

The standards cover things like the efficiency of appliances and how windows are insulated in residential and commercial buildings, and are updated every three years.

Legislators want to lock the 2018 codes into statute so that any changes must be approved by the House, Senate and governor. The construction industry has voiced support for the move, saying energy-efficiency requirements make homes more costly.

But Jonathan Oppenheimer, the external relations director at the Idaho Conservation League, said it’s important to keep up with standards.

“They help reduce the cost every month to homeowners for utilities in their homes, and in their businesses,” said Oppenheimer. “And by applying some of the modern technologies and best practices we can save homeowners and renters and business owners hundreds if not thousands of dollars every year.”

Oppenheimer said energy-efficiency codes also help reduce carbon emissions from a sector that is producing an increasing share of overall emissions.

House Bill 660 passed the House and has moved on to the Senate.

Another piece of legislation, House Bill 614, would similarly place lawmakers directly in charge of electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes. Oppenheimer said both bills would ultimately take control away from local governments.

“We’ve often heard the refrain that ‘government closest to the people governs best,'” said Oppenheimer. “But in this case what it is doing, it is saying that the Legislature knows best, and precluding local communities from adopting standards and codes that makes sense for their communities.”

Idaho Conservation League says HB 614 could affect ordinances in Boise and Ketchum that require newly constructed single-family homes to be set up for electric-vehicle charging.

Oppenheimer said these ordinances will help reduce costs to retrofit homes as electric vehicles become more prevalent.

HB 614 has also passed the House and is in the Senate.

Disclosure: Idaho Conservation League contributes to our fund for reporting on Energy Policy, Environment, Public Lands/Wilderness, Water. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.

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In recent years, New Mexico has tried to move away from its historical role as an oil and gas hub, and the crisis in Ukraine could have major implications.

Russia’s invasion of its neighboring country has caused oil prices to surge.

Reilly White, associate professor of finance at the University of New Mexico, said depending on the length of the conflict, it also could put pressure on U.S. producers to ramp up crude-oil production.

“The United States right now is the largest oil producer,” White explained. “We have about 20% or so of the world’s production. Russia is third; they have about 11%, and New Mexico is the third biggest oil-producing state.” Texas produces the most oil in the U.S., followed by North Dakota.

The U.S. economy has weakened because of the two-year pandemic, with Americans already paying more for electricity, heating and gasoline than they were last year. White pointed out it is the most expensive we have seen oil prices since 2014, and it is impossible to know if its effects on consumers will be short-term or long-term.

“But the hard part is that we respond because we’re humans to these immediate price shocks, as opposed to sort-of long-term overarching stories, and they’re not two separate issues,” White noted. “We have to consider both the short-term and long-term.”

There is also speculation Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will put pressure on governments to build more wind and solar power to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, but as White emphasized, it cannot happen overnight.

“It’s likely this will speed it up, but at the same time, we don’t have the infrastructure to switch to completely electric tomorrow,” White stressed. “Infrastructure takes a very long time to build out and technological progress takes a long time to see fulfilled.”

White added New Mexico and other states could also be affected by the supply of palladium from Russia used in catalytic converters, jewelry and other items. Russia is the world’s largest producer of the chemical element, also found in South Africa and Canada.

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Washington state could head to the front of the pack when it comes to electrifying new buildings. Proposals before the State Building Code Council would require high-efficiency heat pumps for space and water heating in new commercial buildings.

According to the nonpartisan organization RMI – formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute – the shift away from gas to electric would eliminate about eight million tons of carbon dioxide by 2050, equivalent to taking 1.8 million cars off the road each year.

Jonny Kocher is an associate with the clean energy think tank.

“Building electrification is one of those kind of no-brainer solutions where it’s like we can actually save money both up front if the building is designed correctly,” said Kocher. “The utility bills typically will either be the same or less. And then, we reduce emissions and improve health.”

Skeptics of the plan point to the reliability and affordability of alternative sources to gas.

The State Building Code Council is hosting a public hearing on Friday, including testimony on potential code changes. The state updates its energy codes every three years.

Other states and cities are considering changes that would push the electrification of buildings. Kocher said if Washington approves the proposed code updates, it would become a leader on this issue.

“Even though they would be some of the strongest in the country, it’s overall a very modest change,” said Kocher. “We’re just starting with new construction because we know that by 2050 we need to have a lot of our buildings be all electric, and if we don’t start with new construction we’re just going to never really get there.”

Washington state cities, including Seattle, Shoreline and Tacoma, already have ensured that new buildings must be electrified.

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Report: Maryland’s Water Pollution Enforcement Is on the Decline

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A view of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County. Environmental groups released a new report this week analyzing Maryland’s water pollution enforcement efforts over the past 20 years. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

Maryland’s enforcement of water pollution laws has declined over the last two decades, but especially in the last few years, according to a new report.

Environmental groups found that the Maryland Department of the Environment took 422 water pollution enforcement actions between 2016 and 2021 under Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R), which was significantly lower than the 1,280 enforcement actions between 2010 and 2015, during the administration of Gov. Martin J. O’Malley (D).

In the past year alone, MDE took 55% fewer water pollution enforcement actions than the historical average over the last 20 years, according to the report by the Chesapeake Accountability Project, a coalition of environmental groups. The coalition reviewed the Department of the Environment’s annual enforcement and compliance reports from 2001 to 2021 “to provide a historical perspective of [water pollution] enforcement in Maryland,” said Katlyn Schmitt, a policy analyst for the Center for Progressive Reform.

But the decrease in enforcement actions does not mean that there are fewer pollution violations, and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay remains a concern, the group said.

The environmental groups focused on actions made by the Water and Science Administration within MDE, which is responsible for regulating stormwater from industrial facilities such as processing plants and landfills, from which harmful chemicals can flow into local waterways after it rains. Enforcement action can include penalty fines and referral to the Attorney General for potential litigation.

Although MDE noted a total of 15,827 enforcement actions in its 2021 annual compliance and enforcement report, almost 15,000 of those actions came from the lead poisoning prevention program.

MDE also completed 40% fewer in-person site inspections from 2016 to 2021 when compared with the number of inspections conducted between 2010 and 2015, according to the Chesapeake Accountability Project. However, the ability for MDE to do in-person inspections may have been limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between 2017 and 2020, the department inspected 1,305 facilities that were deemed not compliant with their stormwater permits and nearly half were repeat offenders, according to the report findings. But the state only took 14 formal enforcement actions against industrial facilities in those three years.

“We think that MDE and the Water and Science administration can do better in creating a culture of consequences for those who violate clean water laws,” Schmitt said. “Some of that depends on the political will and mission of the agency and we’ve seen that fluctuate overtime.”

More enforcement action encourages polluters to follow the state’s water pollution laws, similar to how enforcing speed limits encourage more people to drive safely, said Courtney Bernhardt of the Environmental Integrity Project.

Environmentalists claim that the downward enforcement trend accelerated more dramatically during the Hogan administration. But the report also shows that MDE issued more “compliance assistance” for water violation polluters now than during the years when O’Malley was governor.

Compliance assistance is a type of enforcement action in which the Department of Environment notifies a facility for a minor violation and requires the facility to submit documentation that shows they have taken steps needed to come back to compliance with their permit. But Schmitt said this process not have enough teeth.

In recent years, MDE also collected more penalties on average than the gubernatorial administrations of Robert L. Ehrlich (R) and Parris N. Glendening (D). During the Hogan administration, the Department of the Environment collected an average of $945,000 in penalties between 2016 and 2021. That figure was $740,000 and $643,000 under Ehrlich and Glendening, respectively, adjusted for inflation. O’Malley’s administration had the highest annual average at $1.6 million, according to the report.

The report also showed downward trends in the number of site inspections and compliance assistance issued by MDE under the last four gubernatorial administrations overall. The state conducted an average of 8,000 inspections in the early 2000s, which slowly dipped throughout each administration to an average of 3,000 inspections under Hogan’s administration.

Doug Myers, a scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said the downward trend under both Democratic and Republican leadership may be an indication that neither made enforcement a priority and that there may be “philosophical issues within the Department [of the Environment.]”

These findings come after recent critiques of MDE’s spotty oversight of permits, including a poultry-rendering plant in Dorchester County that has reportedly discharged pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay since 2019 and a recent sewage spill in St. Mary’s County that led to two dozen people falling sick after they ate contaminated oysters.

Maryland Department of the Environment spokesman Jay Apperson said in an email that any “objective reporting of MDE’s enforcement record” would also include the steps it took to stop water and waste pollution from the Verso Corp. paper mill, the Morgantown coal-fired power plant (which will retire this year) and Baltimore sewage backups and wastewater treatment plant violations.

“The Department will continue to take aggressive enforcement actions and seek stiff penalties, when warranted, in order to hold polluters accountable. MDE is committed to changing Maryland for the better by protecting and restoring the environment while providing businesses and communities with clear expectations and consequences for failure to follow the law,” he wrote.

But Schmitt claimed that MDE only took steps after citizen groups highlighted issues and “filled the void where the Water and Science Administration lacks in terms of enforcement and inspection activities.”

Environmental advocates also said the Department of the Environment no longer has the budget and staff it once did to enforce all of the state’s pollution regulations. Funding for MDE makes up 0.018% of the state’s total general budget, which is half of what it was two decades ago after adjusting for inflation, according to Eliza Steinmeier of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance.

There are also staffing declines within the department: MDE had more than 1,000 employees in 2002 but has only around 880 now, which Steinmeier attributed to a lack of competitive positions within the department.

“We also recognize that MDE needs more resources to truly create a culture of compliance that is necessary to protect our state,” Steinmeier said.

State lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would allow MDE to seek more administrative and civil penalties on private corporations, individuals or municipalities that violate safe drinking water regulations, wastewater facility pollution permits, tidal wetlands restrictions and dam safety regulations.

Administrative penalties are typically less serious and provide quicker relief than civil penalties — which are adjudicated in court.

Another measure introduced in the legislature would limit how long the Department of the Environment can allow facilities to operate under “zombie permits,” which refers to the period after a permit expires and before a new one is issued. Maryland is currently facing a backlog of more than 200 zombie permits.

Maryland and surrounding Bay states collectively agreed in 2010 to reach pollution limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency by 2025, commonly known as the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint. Advocates argue that the state’s decline in water pollution enforcement actions undermines the Bay cleanup targets. In 2020, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science graded the Bay’s health at a “C.”

“If we fail to address this issue, it will only make it more difficult for the state to meet the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. We can’t fix pollution problems that aren’t being identified due to lack of inspections and enforcement by MDE,” Myers said.

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Improving Indoor Air Quality and Education with VRF and Slimduct RD | 2022-01-20

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Improving Indoor Air Quality and Education with VRF and Slimduct RD | 2022-01-20 | ACHR News

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Detroit HVAC experts offer deep-cleaning duct advice for spring

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“Not only can dust, germs and bacteria accumulate in corners and under furniture, but they can also grow in ventilation systems that aren’t properly cleaned,” said Dayna Hottle, general manager of C & C Heating and Air Conditioning. “Eventually, those ventilation systems can become overrun with mold and mildew to produce harmful irritants. It’s important to stay proactive and preventative with your spring cleaning and duct management, even in those hard-to-reach places.”

Here are three tips to ensure ductwork is cleaned properly:

  1. Start with vacuuming — For those who want to start the duct-cleaning process themselves, the first step begins with the vacuum cleaner. Apply the attachment to floor grilles and wall duct registers, and don’t be afraid to unscrew the grills and hose out the visible interior of your ducts. Remember to clean as thoroughly as possible to eliminate any and all contaminants.
  2. Replace the filters – Another small step that homeowners can do to ensure homes are receiving excellent indoor air quality is replacing the filters. Homeowners will never receive the full benefit of clean ducts if the HVAC filters are clogged with dust or other contaminants. Consider purchasing the highest quality filter recommended by the manufacturer to cut down on the dust in your home and better filter the space.
  3. Call in a professional — After these steps are complete, home and building owners should be aware that a full ductwork cleaning may not be finished unless you are willing to rent a hose and ozone generator. If the answer is no, then it may be time to call in a professional to finish the job. When the task is complete, not only will you have eliminated harmful irritants and bacteria from your house or facility, but you will have also increased airflow efficiency, prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC system.

“With proactive steps or even a simple phone call, you can save yourself, family or employees from harmful irritants that can build up over time,” Hottle said. “With the particulates gone, you can turn on the A/C and bask in the allure of spring without having to worry about the HVAC system’s cleanliness or efficiency.”

About C & C Heating & Air Conditioning

C & C Heating & Air Conditioning is a Detroit-area heating and cooling company with more than six decades of expertise installing and servicing all makes and models of heating and cooling equipment. Their technicians are highly trained and qualified and undergo annual background checks, random drug testing, extensive technical and customer service training and are North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified. Services include HVAC maintenance and repair, duct cleaning, whole-home air filtration systems, indoor air quality systems and comprehensive maintenance agreements. For more information, call C & C Heating & Air Conditioning at (586) 439-3319 or visit their website at https://candcheat.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
[email protected]

SOURCE C & C Heating & Air Conditioning

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Hon&Guan: World’s Leading HVAC Company

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Established in 2010, Shenzhen Hongguan Mechatronics Co., Ltd. provides modern Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning appliances.

New York City, New York – For Comfort, Affordability and Durability, Hon&Guan is a modern high-tech company that specialises in the research and development of air replacement, fresh air ventilation, and ventilation equipment. Hongguan provides efficient ventilation and refrigeration solutions for well-known brands in the home appliance, fresh air system, air purification, and communication equipment fields, and Hongguan is leading the way into the era of smart ventilation to better serve various fields’ customised ventilation needs. Mixed flow inline duct fans, silent exhaust fans, square duct fans, EC motor exhaust fans, AC/DC cooling fans, and ventilation accessories are among Hongguan’s ventilation accessories.

Inline Duct Fans

Established in 2010, Hon&Guan is world renowned for their Inline Duct Fans. The premium quality Inline Duct Fans remove heat and humidity from grow tents and rooms.

They have a variety of Inline Duct Fans which can also be installed in closet systems that house servers and AV gear. Hon&Guan Inline Duct Fans are made to cool and ventilate enormous spaces. Their Inline Duct Fans are leading the Global charts for producing high airflow, functioning normally with minimum CFM loss. Their exclusive Hon&Guan 4 Inch Inline Duct Fan with Wired Smart Controller 141 CFM comes with three-speed engine: NMB ball bearing, more than 50,000 hours of operation.

Watch here: Hon&Guan Quiet Powerful Inline Duct Fans for Ventilation System & Hydroponic Indoor Growing

Exhaust Fans

Poor Ventilation System is a prevalent issue in urban settings. Not only does it cause unpleasant smells to build up in homes but it also causes high humidity causing heat. In addition, homes with insufficient ventilation, contaminants such as dirt, dust, pet dander, pollen, and biological development can be built. Hon&Guan Exhaust Fans are a must have, be it in a kitchen or in a washroom, Any small space that lacks proper ventilation, Hon&Guan Exhaust Fans helps in adequate ventilation. Hon&Guan’s 6 Inch 160 CFM Axial Exhaust Fan 110V D-Type which is on sale right now has modern design, manufactured using the silent-clever technology. It can be easily installed, directly mounted into the ventilation shaft and is also suitable for ceiling mounting. The Exhaust Fan range also includes Wireless Smart Sensor Exhaust Fan. Their premium quality, performance efficiency and affordability make them the best Bathroom Exhaust Fans in the world.

Cooling Fans

Hon&Guan Cooling Fans have a cooling technology that enables them to have a high thermal conductivity, which implies that heat diffuses more quickly across the various components. Hon&Guan Cooling Fans are a great saver, they use a lot less energy than air conditioning, therefore they’re a lot less expensive. Generally compared to other cooling equipment, a fan running at high speed consumes less energy than a 100 W light bulb and can save up to 47 percent. Furthermore, Hon&Guan Cooling Fans are extremely cost effective. The Hon&Guan 80x80x38MM DC 12V Axial Flow Cooling Fan delivers high volume air flow with lower noise to facilitate a highly efficient ventilation in enclosed or small areas. The Dual ball bearing allows continuous operation 24/7 without too much dust and high temperature concern, and has a lifespan. Even more, it allows the fans to be laid flat or stand. And there is more! It is easy to install.

Happy Customers

Hon&Guan has many happy customers all across the globe. They prioritise customer satisfaction that has allowed many customers to return to them. One satisfied customer reviewed the experience: “Affordable option. I was looking at a corner fan that was about $40 and, honestly, I couldn’t figure out why. I’ve owned two of the other brands in the past and know the pricier option moves less air, makes nearly as much noise, and has plastic casing. Also, both of the other brands failed too quickly. This fan is affordable, moves quite a lot of air and is made of sturdier materials in a more compact package. What’s not to like?”

For more details and information, visit their website. Shop today to avail exclusive discount offers. Use promo code “HG10” to avail 10% on purchases. They offer free shipping on orders of over $100! Subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated about the latest offers and launch of a new appliance. They also offer wholesale for bulk buyers. 

Media Contact
Company Name: Hon&Guan
Contact Person: Saika
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://hongguanfan.shop/

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