Every Monday, we round up five of the best good climate news stories we’re celebrating this week. This week we’re covering the Biden administration’s investment in energy efficient and climate resilient housing, the transition to electric shuttles and cars, and more.

1. Biden administration announces $100 million for energy efficient upgrades in low-income housing

The Biden administration has announced it will invest over $100 million to improve the energy efficiency and climate resiliency of the homes of more than 1,500 low-income families. Energy efficient home upgrades can help curb up to 37% of emissions that stem from operating buildings, such as emissions from heating and cooling.

The investment is part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and will help the administration to reach its goal of reducing the cost to decarbonize new and existing housing by 50% in the next 10 years.

Source: White House Fact Sheet

2. Zion National Park first national park with all-electric shuttle fleet

Zion National Park is working to transition its entire propane-powered shuttle bus fleet to all-electric models over the next several years. The new fleet will consist of 26 electric shuttle buses, and 27 charging stations, to provide visitors low-emission transportation to and from the park.

Millions of visitors ride Zion’s shuttle buses every year due to limited parking at the park itself. By transitioning away from dirty, propane powered shuttles to electric buses and dramatically reducing air pollution from tailpipe emissions, Zion National Park hopes to preserve the natural beauty of the region for generations of visitors to come.

Source: KUER 90.1

3. All government vehicles in New Mexico to be zero-emission by 2035

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico signed an executive order stating all state agencies must switch to an all-electric vehicle fleet by 2035. The governor also said she will be pursuing further tax credits for EV purchases in the state’s upcoming legislative session.

Transitioning state vehicles to electric models will reduce emissions and air pollution in the state, meaning cleaner, healthier air for its residents.

Source: AP

4. FEMA to offer funding for stronger building codes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it will offer $2 million to every state and territory, as well as a total of $25 million to Tribal communities, to improve their building codes. The funding comes as part of a larger disaster and climate resilience funding grant program.

New, stronger building codes that account for the impacts of climate change have proven to be an extremely effective way to reduce damage from climate disasters. They can be the difference between life and death when it comes to disasters like floods, hurricanes, and other extreme weather.

Source: Climatewire

5. New research shows net-zero emissions possible by 2050

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report last week stating that it is possible for the U.S. to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 due to the recent influx of federal investment in clean energy. While the authors warn that these programs must be implemented as efficiently as possible in order to reach net-zero emissions, the report states that recent policies have established a solid foundation for achieving this goal.

Reaching net-zero is one of the most important steps in addressing the climate crisis, and the policies under the Biden administration’s affordable clean energy plan are helping us get there.

Source: POLITICO

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