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Biden pushes to slash home energy bills

October 12, 2023 Published by

Just In News | The Hill 

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Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

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The Big Story 

Energy Department pushes to slash home energy bills

The Biden administration announced new goals on Thursday aiming at cutting utility bills by 20 percent this decade. 

© AP Photo/Susan Walsh

The so-called “Earthshot” goal from the Energy Department also aims to reduce the upfront cost of cutting emissions from affordable homes by half over the same time period.

 

It is one of several energy and climate-related research and development goals laid out by the administration. 

 

According to the Energy Department, almost a third of the country’s planet-warming emissions come from buildings. Millions of U.S. households also fell behind on their energy bills last year. 

 

“The windows, walls, and roofs that protect our families from the elements and keep us healthy and safe are some of the most effective tools we have to lower our utility bills fight climate change and advance environmental justice,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. 

 

While the research and development goals are unlikely to generate much political pushback, the administration’s other efforts to decarbonize homes — especially efforts to mandate that new appliances be more efficient — have spurred controversy.

 

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

 

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Essential Reads 

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

 

The Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against two shipping companies Thursday, one based in Turkey and the other in the United Arab Emirates, over allegations they violated international price caps on Russian oil.


 Full Story
 

The United Auto Workers (UAW) expanded its ongoing strike against major automobile manufacturers Wednesday after a Ford truck plant in Kentucky joined the strike, the union announced.


 Full Story
 

Many protestors concerned about climate change stormed the stage where U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was being interviewed Thursday in Baltimore.


 Full Story
 

In Other News 

Branch out with a different read on The Hill:

Consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in September and 3.7 percent annually, according to data released Thursday by the Labor Department. A 10.6-percent spike in gasoline costs last month was a factor that drove overall inflation higher.


Full Story
 

On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

President Biden is scheduled to visit Philadelphia on Friday to discuss the energy transition and climate change. Multiple news outlets have reported that he will announce funds for hydrogen energy “hubs.”

 

What We’re Reading 

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

World “less likely than ever” to meet Paris Agreement goal: new analysis (Axios)

 

Human rights experts warn against European crackdown on climate protesters (The Guardian)

 

How efforts to protect an Indigenous oasis almost led to its demise (Grist)

 

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Republicans have their nominee for Speaker, but the House GOP is divided. Read more

Former President Trump risks potential backlash in the Republican presidential primary over his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the Hamas terror attacks in Israel.  Read more

 
 

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow! 

​Energy & Environment, Newsletters, Earthshot, energy bills, Energy Department, Jennifer Granholm, President Biden, utilities Read More