Rewiring America

We were named in April, but today, on the two year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act being signed into law as the biggest climate investment in history, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially awarded our Power Forward Communities coalition a $2 billion National Clean Investment Fund grant alongside our coalition members Habitat for Humanity International, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and United Way. As part of this coalition working on single-family homes and apartments, especially in low-income and disadvantaged communities, Rewiring America will be announcing local community partnerships in the coming months. We're excited to have these resources to help shape the market, draw in private investment to this work, and for families, help make going electric easier! Read the press release here:

Alabama is building the clean energy workforce of the future! The city of Birmingham is getting a $250,000 Department of Energy grant for an apprenticeship program that will train high school students in clean energy construction trades. https://lnkd.in/gz3aXnpp

Get fired up with the rousing keynote that our fearless co-founder Saul Griffith delivered at Trellis Group's #VERGE24 this fall. When it comes to dishing out the climate tough love and inspiring action, Saul is unmatched! https://lnkd.in/gwQyRjQb

Did you know? Houses of worship are three times more likely to adopt rooftop solar than other non-residential buildings, per the Department of Energy. And it’s all thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. How? The IRS gives funds directly to faith-based organizations and other nonprofits to make clean energy upgrades to their buildings. Instead of waiting for tax returns, these organizations can move faster to install clean energy appliances, like solar panels, and enjoy their benefits. Along the way, the congregations and communities they serve are learning about these benefits, too — and becoming more open to adopting them themselves. https://lnkd.in/edjqzZ8H [ ??: Caleigh Wells]

tired: spending hours scrubbing greasy, gritty gas stove grates after cooking thanksgiving dinner wired: cooking thanksgiving dinner on an electric stove, which cleans up faster than a kid on allowance day rewired: ordering 11 extra-large pizzas for thanksgiving and not having to step foot in the kitchen at all

“Last year, we had 70,000 pounds of produce; by adding this agrivoltaics project, not only have we learned that interrelationship between this type of energy generation and vegetable production, we’re going to add about 30,000 pounds of food in the first year, taking us to a whopping 100,000 pounds of food.” With solar panels, Colorado farmers are producing clean energy and vegetables at the same time. https://lnkd.in/giFhPiAH

“We still farm and do everything we used to, except underneath solar panels.” That’s Chad Raines, a fourth-generation farmer in Lamesa, Texas. When a multi-decade drought decreased his yields, he switched gears, embracing solar grazing. The solar company pays Raines to have his 4,000 sheep eat the grass underneath the solar panels in a set-up that’s a win-win for the energy company, the farmers, and the sheep (yum, grass). It’s also a set-up that stands to generate a lot of revenue: Per the Washington Post, “Agrivoltaics, the practice of sharing energy and food production on the same plot of land” is an industry projected to reach a value of $9.3 billion by 2031. [??: Samuel Gilbert, The Washington Post]

“Matusiak said that while there's an enormous amount of work ahead, he's optimistic. His job is to help people understand the value of going electric, such as saving money on their utility bills, living in healthier homes with better air quality, and protecting the planet.” Our co-founder, president, and CEO Ari Matusiak was recognized by Business Insider’s third annual Climate Action list: https://lnkd.in/ejWUh-9e

“On the hottest day of the year, our air conditioner failed. With the IRA and other incentives, we received a 25% cost reduction — about $6,300. Our air conditioning bill is now halved. My persistent cough, likely aggravated by burning gas in the home, has improved.” https://lnkd.in/gKnsPJKW

slow moments that are good: - basking in the sun - savoring a cup of chamomile tea - reading the latest BookTok recommendation in the park slow moments that are not so good: - waiting forever for your gas stove to boil water