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The City of Ithaca collaborated with Cornell University and RMI to model 5,468 buildings using a combination of the Urban Building Energy Model (UBEM) and the Green Upgrade Calculator (GUC). The analysis found that combining air-source heat pumps with envelope improvements and rooftop solar significantly reduces operating costs and electricity demand. The study identifies residential homes in low-income communities and certain downtown commercial buildings as high-priority targets for cost-effective decarbonization.

Earthjustice urges New York State to increase funding for water infrastructure and environmental protection while accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to electricity. The testimony specifically advocates for the NY HEAT Act to downsize the gas system, the RAPID Act to speed up electric transmission, and the Green Transit, Green Jobs bill to electrify bus fleets. It also calls for urgent action on childhood lead poisoning and the reduction of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, while opposing 'false solutions' like hydrogen and renewable natural gas.

The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (24/7 CFE) Compact, launched in September 2021 at the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy, aims to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels by moving beyond annual renewable energy matching to hourly, real-time matching of demand and carbon-free supply. Coordinated by SEforALL with support from Google, the Compact has grown to over 120 signatories, including governments, private companies, and academic institutions. The initiative supports a technology-inclusive approach, prioritizing storage, demand-side management, and the development of Granular Certificates to drive investment. Current and future efforts include a global study on policy and regulatory reforms to empower consumers and a working group exploring the role of green hydrogen in achieving 24/7 CFE.

The document argues that electrifying homes and businesses is a critical pathway to net-zero emissions, noting that these buildings account for 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights high-efficiency heat pumps, smart thermostats, and weatherization as key upgrades that can reduce emissions and lower utility bills. The brief emphasizes that while individual actions are important, systemic support through government incentives, building codes, and financing is necessary to overcome barriers, particularly for low-income households and renters in multifamily housing.

District energy systems provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipes, utilizing sources such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat, and renewables. In the United States, over 700 such systems exist, offering benefits like reduced fuel consumption, lower peak electrical demand, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. While high upfront infrastructure costs can be a barrier, examples from universities and city centers demonstrate significant energy savings and carbon reductions.

The document outlines a data-intensive process for local governments to match electricity demand with carbon-free energy resources on an hourly basis. It identifies three essential datasets: hourly load data, hourly grid mix and emissions data, and hourly generation data from additional energy procurements. The guide details four methods for obtaining load data—ranging from actual meter readings to machine learning models—and directs users to resources like the EIA and NREL for grid and emissions information.