Buildings, particularly older ones and those with poor energy efficiency, account for 31 percent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond contributing to the climate crisis, these structures can saddle their occupants with high utility bills, further burdening those with low incomes.
On Thursday, the U.S. Climate Alliance, an association of 25 governors of states accounting for half of the country's population, announced a major move to reduce those emissions, cut utility bills, and create jobs. Beyond committing to emissions reduction targets including achieving zero-emission new construction, they promised a four-fold increase in the number of buildings using heat pumps.
