This Week's News for LA’s Best Buildings
Tenant Protections, Good Jobs Key to Decarbonizing Buildings
It’s no secret that reducing greenhouse gases is an essential step to mitigating the worst effects of climate change. In Los Angeles, buildings are the top source of carbon pollution, and the city is taking bold steps to end these harmful emissions completely by 2050. As city leaders and other stakeholders consider how to achieve these emissions reductions equitably, two new reports show that tenant protections and family-sustaining jobs must be at the heart of any building decarbonization policy.
Advancing a Green New Deal for Los Angeles Renters
Los Angeles, which has made great strides in creating a clean energy economy, could be reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a scale in line with meeting the Paris Climate Agreement targets if it more effectively made energy-efficiency programs available for low-income residents of multifamily buildings. By doing so, the city would not only further advance its efforts to stem climate-change but also make its buildings healthier and more affordable for one million of the city’s most economically vulnerable renters.
D.O.E. Proposes New Lightbulb Efficiency Standards
The US Department of Energy and the Biden Administration have proposed a lightbulb efficiency standard that could save millions in energy costs and help reduce carbon emissions.
The DOE proposal would require lightbulbs to have a minimum efficiency specification to be sold and would likely move the market complete toward LEDs. The DOE found that new standards would result in $3 billion of energy cost savings and reduce carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons over 30 years.
Overextended: It's Time to Rethink Subsidized Gas Line Extensions
A new natural gas customer is added to the system every minute in the United States, and existing gas customers are covering their construction costs through subsidies knows as line extension allowances. Each year, these extensions of gas service enable utilities to pass hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to existing customers while expanding the fossil fuel system for decades to come.
L.A. Voters Angry, Frustrated Over Homeless Crisis, Demand Faster Action, Poll Finds
Amid deep frustration over widespread, visible homelessness, Los Angeles voters want the government to act faster and focus on shelter for people living in the streets, even if those efforts are short-term and fall short of permanent housing, a new poll of county voters shows.
Most voters continue to express empathy for homeless people, but also impatience and disappointment with the region’s leadership, according to the poll, conducted by the Los Angeles Business Council Institute in cooperation with The Times.
LABBC’s Midnight Mission Holiday Drive
This holiday season, the LABBC challenges you to chose hope for the holidays by donating to The Midnight Mission. Each year, each day, and each hour, The Midnight Mission is delivering life-changing services to Los Angeles community members who are currently experiencing homelessness and providing a pathway to self-sufficiency.
In exchange for your donation, the LABBC offers you a chance to win a memorable experience donated by one of our esteemed staff or partners.
Photo by Alexis Balinoff via Unsplash