Heinrich Highlights How Home Electrification Can Reduce Fossil Fuel Use, Create Healthier Living Environments

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), founder and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, is leading an effort in Congress to lower energy costs and create healthier homes for New Mexico families through electrification.

Today, during a Senate Climate Task Force meeting on the economic benefits of a clean energy transition, Senator Heinrich pointed out that there is a greater incentive for families to replace gas appliances if point-of-sale rebates for electric appliances and equipment are provided.

VIDEO: Heinrich Highlights How Home Electrification Can Reduce Fossil Fuel Use, Create Healthier Living Environments [HD DOWNLOAD LINK HERE]

Panelist Jonathan Scott, CEO Scott Brothers Global and co-host of HGTV’s Property Brothers, backed up Senator Heinrich’s argument stating that in his line of work he’s noticed that “people just want simple.” Scott added that he has noticed retailers who offer immediate incentives have seen business skyrocket and an increase in good-paying trade jobs for these types of installation services.

Senator Heinrich pointed to his Zero-Emission Homes Act that would make the economic, environmental, and health benefits of electrification affordable and accessible to all Americans as one potential solution. The legislation would provide upfront, point-of-sale rebates for the purchase and installation of electric appliances and equipment in single-family homes and multifamily buildings, with additional support for low- and moderate- income households.

Electric appliances can also help avoid the harmful health effects -- such as childhood asthma -- associated with the burning of fossil fuels in homes.

During the Task Force meeting, panelist Dana Johnson, senior director of strategy and federal policy for WE ACT For Environmental Justice, pointed to her organization’s project Out of Gas, In with Justice. Johnson explained that they already are expecting the project to show that there is an “improvement in the air quality” of homes that have shifted away from gas appliances.

More information about today’s Senate Climate Task Force meeting is available here.