Alison F. Takemura
@alisontakemura.bsky.social
Staff Writer, @Canarymediainc | Clean energy journalism and compassion enthusiast. Reporting on building decarbonization, home electrification, heat pumps, and workforce. Fan of yoga and wandering. Opinions: just mine. @alisontakemura
++BREAKING++ The Daily Telegraph has... *rubs eyes* ...published something sensible about climate change: "I’m coming to the view that the Online Right is going wrong, eschewing compassion or charm, talking itself into corners of angry irrelevance. Take climate change."
Trump administration undermining local building codes with a ludicrous new analysis claiming energy efficiency raises costs — but only if you totally ignore all the savings from lower energy bills: www.canarymedia.com/articles/ene... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social
Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new…
A Department of Energy study found that the latest version of an international energy code would raise construction costs by billions — and ignored bill…
canarymedia.com
"Do you live in the U.S. and want balcony solar? A new initiative could help you get a deal on one of these small but mighty systems that plug into a standard outlet and push clean power into your home," reports @alisontakemura.bsky.social: www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol... 🔌💡
A new deal on balcony solar just dropped in the US
Plug-in panels can lower your bills. To boost the American market for the tech, nonprofit Bright Saver is selling kits with no markup, starting at around…
canarymedia.com
BDC’s Ted Tiffany spoke to @alisontakemura.bsky.social at @canarymedia.com about how the DOE’s latest building code analysis ignores half the affordability picture—and why energy-efficient homes actually lead to long-term bill savings. bit.ly/4buDfi6 #EnergySky #BuildingDecarb #HeatPumps
Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new…
A Department of Energy study found that the latest version of an international energy code would raise construction costs by billions — and ignored bill…
bit.ly
I was pleasantly surprised the other day when a contractor friend in a red county said that heat pumps are now simply the industry standard. Apparently they’ve outsold gas furnaces in the US for the past four years and are poised to overtake conventional AC. That’s really good news.
Heat pumps may soon outsell air conditioners in US
For years, heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces in the U.S. — and now the superefficient appliances are coming for conventional ACs, too.
canarymedia.com
"Both datasets led to the same conclusion: Roughly 85% of industrial energy demand could be electrified by 2050 — and upwards of 90% in the long term — with existing and emerging electric tech." www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social 🔌💡
Industry can dodge fuel shocks by electrifying. What’s the holdup?
As the Iran war spikes fossil fuel prices, Oxford University experts demystify electric tech’s vast potential to decarbonize industry — and how policy can…
canarymedia.com
I loved @adelepeters.bsky.social feature on Paris' transformative embrace of bike lanes, green spaces, and pedestrian streets in front of schools. Mayor Hidalgo: ”It’s very hard when you want to change lives and change people’s habits... But in the end, you can see how beautiful it is.”
How Paris redesigned itself to be a city of bikes—not cars
Over the last 12 years, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo fundamentally reshaped the City of Lights. As she leaves office, this is the story of how she reclaimed the city’s public spaces from cars, covered the...
fastcompany.com
Remember that federal appeals court ruling against the city of Berkeley that stopped California cities from banning gas in new housing? There may soon be conflicting court precedent in other parts of the country: www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social
Local policies to get buildings off gas keep winning in court
Even though a court struck down Berkeley, California’s pioneering gas ban in 2023, similar lawsuits against electric building and appliance standards are…
canarymedia.com
Many don’t know the dangers of gas stove pollution. So these kids are testifying at Palo Alto city council meetings to get the word out. Check out this story about the group Induction Rocks for a quick mood boost! www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele... @canarymedia.com
These Palo Alto kids are pushing the city to promote induction stoves
Middle and high school students in the California town are urging officials to tell residents about the harms of gas stoves and the benefits of cleaner…
canarymedia.com
Hoping CA Legislature does not pass this bill that would end a requirement for EV charging in apartment buildings and other multifamily housing. Trading small up-front cost savings for much big long-term fuel costs: www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social
California bill would limit EV-charging access in affordable housing
Legislation backed by developers would waive EV-charging requirements for new low-income housing projects, just as the state looks to build 1 million more…
canarymedia.com
Get up to speed on the cost, payback, and safety bona fides of plug-in solar systems before they hit shelves near you. Answers to FAQs by @alisontakemura.bsky.social: www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol... 🔌💡
What to know before you get balcony solar
States are starting to embrace plug-and-play solar. Get up to speed on the cost, payback, and safety bona fides of the systems before they hit shelves…
canarymedia.com
California has one of the most equitable EV-charging policies in the nation. A new bill would exempt affordable housing from its rules. www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
California bill would limit EV-charging access in affordable housing
Legislation backed by developers would waive EV-charging requirements for new low-income housing projects, just as the state looks to build 1 million more…
canarymedia.com
A dominant, persistent, and record-breaking heat dome. This satellite animation shows the evolution of the ridge over the last 6 days.
Clean air rules died in Southern California last year. Was there something rotten in the public comments?
In more than half of US states, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would boost adoption of small plug-in solar panels that sit on apartment balconies and plug directly into household outlets. Canary Media buff.ly/5B79fOA #ShareGoodNewsToo
Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm
In more than half of U.S. states, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would boost adoption of DIY solar systems.
buff.ly
Is your heat pump struggling to keep up in frigid weather? Or are you afraid it might? Don't miss these expert tips, which I wrote up to help you get the most out of your all-electric, efficient heater (and AC)! @canarymedia.com #energy #affordability www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea...
How to keep your heat pump humming in the freezing cold
Plenty of heat pumps work well even in subzero temps. But these expert tips will help your heat pump work even better on the coldest days of the year.
canarymedia.com
Is your heat pump struggling to keep up in frigid weather? Or are you afraid it might? Don't miss these expert tips, which I wrote up to help you get the most out of your all-electric, efficient heater (and AC)! @canarymedia.com #energy #affordability www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea...
How to keep your heat pump humming in the freezing cold
Plenty of heat pumps work well even in subzero temps. But these expert tips will help your heat pump work even better on the coldest days of the year.
canarymedia.com
Low-income households will get much needed LIHEAP aid for utility bill relief and home energy upgrades. Plus, Congress funded ENERGY STAR and the Weatherization Assistance Program. @sierraclub.org @canarymedia.com www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
In U-turn, Trump approves low-income energy-assistance funds
A new spending bill gives the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program $4 billion — a reversal from the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate it…
canarymedia.com
Exciting, Clare!!
Clare Fieseler, PhD@fieseler.bsky.social · 6mo ago🌊I have a new gig. 🌊 Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social. We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Whose got $200 million in federal funding to turbocharge 2-way ACs, a.k.a. heat pumps? Denver-area local governments. They're one of the awardees of an oft-overlooked IRA program — all of which still have access to their grants for local climate action. www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea...
Bills in the California Legislature from @scottwiener.bsky.social would make it easier for people to install plug-in solar panels without utility delays, and also super-efficient electric heat pumps: www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social
California bills would cut red tape for balcony solar and heat pumps
State Sen. Scott Wiener wants to tackle energy affordability by making it easier than ever for households to adopt increasingly popular clean-energy tech.
canarymedia.com
The Trump administration has sued two small CA cities over their local ordinances prohibiting gas in new construction. But with the state's new building code, it might not matter. “California’s really moved on.” — Matt Vespa, @earthjustice.org www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
Trump’s DOJ turns its attention to local gas bans
The federal government is suing two San Francisco Bay Area cities over their right to bar gas in new buildings. Critics say the case’s legal argument is…
canarymedia.com
California has a plan to get heat pumps and battery-equipped induction stoves to residents who otherwise couldn’t access them.
California’s plan to boost plug-in heat pumps and induction stoves
Regulators greenlit a $115 million, first-of-its-kind effort to drive demand for tech that can make home electrification easier and cheaper.
canarymedia.com
Warming is to blame for nearly half of particulate pollution and two-thirds of emissions unleashed by western wildfires, a study finds.
Warming Responsible for Two-Thirds of Emissions from Western Wildfires
Warming is fueling ever larger wildfires in the U.S. West, which are becoming a major source of pollution. A new study finds that warming is to blame for nearly half of particulate pollution and two-thirds of emissions unleashed by western wildfires.
e360.yale.edu
According to a new report by a group of anti-poverty researchers, the cost of completely ending extreme poverty would be $318 billion per year. Using targeted direct cash transfers, it would cost around 0.3% of global GDP to ensure that virtually everyone has enough to pay for the absolute basics.
The low, low cost of ending extreme poverty
Less than Americans’ holiday shopping, actually.
voxdotcom.visitlink.me
This Colorado coal town is betting big on ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling to help navigate a rapidly changing economic landscape. www.canarymedia.com/articles/geo... @canarymedia.com
Great write up from Alison. I’m very proud to have worked on this rule making and the subsequent outcome. It’s also the first time I’ve been quoted in Canary Media, so personally I think that’s pretty cool.
Alison F. Takemura@alisontakemura.bsky.social · 8mo agoYay, Colorado is doing a good thing! Regulators told gas utilities they need to hit an ambitious emissions-reduction target by 2035 — a boon for public health and a managed energy transition. www.canarymedia.com/articles/uti...
Yay, Colorado is doing a good thing! Regulators told gas utilities they need to hit an ambitious emissions-reduction target by 2035 — a boon for public health and a managed energy transition. www.canarymedia.com/articles/uti...
Colorado mandates ambitious emissions cuts for gas utilities
Resisting industry pressure, regulators ordered a 41% emissions reduction by 2035.
canarymedia.com
It’s not too late to tap federal tax credits to make clean and energy-efficient home improvements! Let @alisontakemura.bsky.social be your guide.
Electrify your home with our handy roundup before tax credits expire
You could save thousands of dollars on heat pumps, solar, and other home energy updates if you act before Dec. 31. Our explainers and guides will get you…
canarymedia.com
More climate backsliding in New York, with Gov. Kathy Hochul pausing the state's first-in-the-nation ban on gas in most new buildings: www.canarymedia.com/articles/car... via @alisontakemura.bsky.social
New York pauses its landmark gas ban in new buildings
The state will delay enforcement until a legal dispute is settled, the latest in a string of moves from Gov. Hochul to “govern in reality” around energy.
canarymedia.com