Dear Angeles Central Group Member,
In this newsletter, we focus on Renewable Energy, from how you can obtain rebates for energy-efficient upgrades to your home, to how LA-area houses of worship can obtain rebates for solar panels, to how electrifying your home is good not only for the environment but for your health.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tues Oct 8, 7-8 PM: Environmentalist Book Club, at Village Well Books & Coffee 9900 Culver Blvd, Culver City; discussion on Lydia Millet's A Children's Bible; RSVP here
Sat Oct 12, 11-3 PM: Wildlife to Watts at Ted Watkins Memorial Park in Los Angeles
Sun Oct 27: 30x30 Conservation Outing. Hike in and learn about the newly designated section of the San Gabriel National Monument and take a quick foray into the area now the subject of advocacy for inclusion in the monument
Tues Nov 5: Vote!
Sat Nov 16: 8:30 AM Newcomers Hike at Griffith Park
Sat Dec 7: 30x30 Conservation Outing. Save the Date!
If you love producing content for social media channels and you love the environment, please consider volunteering for the Central LA Group as a Social Media Manager.
For more information on getting involved with the Sierra Club Central Group, please email barbarajhensleigh@gmail.com.
HOW THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
CAN HELP YOU SAVE
BOTH MONEY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
By Edmond Wu
As we all know, climate change is quickly becoming an issue that requires action at almost every level, from cars to buildings to the electrical grid to renewables. One big step toward saving the environment and thus improving our quality of life is electrifying our grid so we can become more energy efficient. In 2022, congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), marking the largest climate-change-related bill in US history, which allocates $369 billion toward energy security and climate change. While parts of the bill allocate funds toward healthcare and deficit reduction, a large part of the bill is allocated toward helping buildings become much more energy-efficient by using electrified appliances such as central heating and cooling units, stoves, and water heaters. This bill also renewed the $7,500 rebate toward electric vehicles, which has helped grow the national EV market.
Photograph credit: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
NEW FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR SOLAR POWER
BENEFITTING LA-AREA
HOUSES OF WORSHIP
By David Tewksbury
Running a church, temple, or synagogue is not cheap. Among the largest overhead expenses can be electricity, particularly in the hot months of the year. It may surprise some to learn that the federal government is offering to help with reducing their energy costs. It is true, and the Sierra Club is helping it all come together.
Chef Jocelyn of Todo Verde, demonstrating how to cook home-made tortillas and tacos on an induction cooktop; Photo by Julien Lasseur
ENERGIZED ABOUT BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION
By Barbara Hensleigh
It’s not the sexiest of topics, but the Sierra Club is fired up about it! Or should we say, "electric" about it? Did you know that California's buildings produce a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making homes and businesses a major factor in climate change? This makes Buildings the second largest contributor to climate change in CA next to the transportation sector. “Buildings” includes appliances within, such as stoves and those that warm and cool your home's space and water. The good news is that California has a roadmap to electrify buildings, getting us to meet our climate goals, and advancing our transition away from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy sources.
The Central Group is the heart of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, representing the areas from West Hollywood through East LA, and Griffith Park through South LA, and several Gateway Cities.
