2021: A Tipping Point Year?

As 2021 comes to a close, it is a great time to reflect on all that has been accomplished this past year in our efforts to create a clean energy future. Along the way, we may be have been disappointed that not enough was achieved or frustrated at how long it takes to make progress, but this past year has been momentous in many ways.

I invite you to remember how you were feeling a year ago at this time, after what seemed like 4 years of drama and environmental rollbacks. Then check out our highlights below of major wins that have piled up this year and ask yourself how you are feeling today.

I hope you feel encouraged that it is possible to make headway against these huge challenges, and that all our individual efforts can add up to something bigger, and that momentum is building around clean energy solutions.

Happy Holidays!

Check out the recording of our webinar - 2021: A Tipping Point Year? to hear our roundup of major clean energy accomplishments for the year with Nora Apter from Oregon Environmental Council, and Meredith Connolly from Climate Solutions.

Costs continue to fall as renewable energy generation increases

There is a lot to be excited about with the progress made in renewable energy this past year. Costs for onshore wind declined 13% in 2021, and solar declined 7%, continuing decades of cost declines as deployments of these technologies increase dramatically. This has made new renewable power generation cheaper than the lowest cost fossil fuel alternatives in the majority of cases globally. A new analysis by Oxford University predicts that the world will be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2045 based on economic factors alone.

In the US, renewables account for 75% of all planned new electricity generation and clean energy is projected to hit 22% of total in 2022, up from 18% in 2019 as more coal plants are retired - see this map of coal plant retirements.

Biden’s federal infrastructure bill includes $65 Billion for thousands of miles of new power lines to distribute clean electricity and make the grid more resilient, and additional funding for renewable energy research.

Oregon passed the 100% Clean Energy Bill this year ensuring that we will have 100% clean energy for everyone in the state by 2040. This is the most aggressive timeline that has been passed into law by any state in the US. Oregon also expanded the Community Solar program to enable more customer subscriptions, and lowered rates even further for low income subscribers to 40% below market rates. This is one of the best ways to get clean energy into your home today and also save money on bills.

Join the clean energy revolution - clean up your electric supply today!

EV adoption picks up speed in the US and globally

Global EV sales rose 80% in 2021 and hit 7.2% of total vehicle sales, up from 4.3% in 2020. Although the US trails Europe and China, EV sales are projected to be close to 5% of total sales in 2021. California is the leader in EV sales by state, but surprisingly, Florida and Texas are next in line. The Tesla Model 3 was the highest selling vehicle of all automobiles in Europe this year - the first time an electric car has topped the list of best sellers.

Most of the major automobile manufacturers have made big commitments to EV production in the last year, including GM who plans to discontinue production of gas burning cars by 2035. Many automakers, as well as state and national governments around the world have signed a pledge to achieve 100% EV sales by 2040 and sooner in major markets.

Biden’s federal infrastructure package includes $7.5 Billion for new EV charging infrastructure. This will add thousands of new high speed charging sites across the US. The bill also includes $5 Billion for electric busses.

Just this month, more than 50 major power utilities formed the National Electric Highway Coalition and will spend $3 Billion to build a coast to coast EV fast charging network along major US travel corridors before the end of 2023.

A whole batch of exciting new EVs are poised to launch in the coming year, making more choices available to more people.

Check out the EV Life Climate Loan to save up to $200/mo on a new EV

Focus grows on the dangers of methane - electric is better

A growing chorus of scientists, public health experts and the media are sounding the alarm over the dangers of cooking with gas as more studies have emerged linking gas stoves to higher risks of asthma, especially in children. Cooking with methane can also create levels of indoor air pollution that would be illegal outside.

More and more chefs and cooking experts are advocating the benefits of cooking with electric induction stoves. Check out this great short video “Why I Cook with Induction” from the rising TikTok star Jon Kung, a Detroit-based chef who adopted induction years ago because it keeps his kitchen cool and his air cleaner.

Over 50 cities in California as well as cities in Washington State and most recently Ithaca and New York City have imposed bans on gas in new construction or other electrification mandates. Ithaca has gone farther than most gas bans, and is aiming to eliminate gas in all its existing buildings before 2030. Eugene, Oregon is also considering a ban on gas in new construction.

Utility commissions in nine states have started to investigate the “future of gas” to explore how to bring gas utility emissions in line with state climate goals. These include California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Washington, D.C. These proceedings are likely to propose policy changes to limit expansion of the gas systems in those states and accelerate the electrification of buildings.

In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality has finalized the rules around the Climate Protection Program requiring gas utilities to reduce emissions every year in alignment with state climate goals. This makes Oregon the second state in the nation to create enforceable rules about emissions reductions from fossil fuels. It is certain to lead to rising gas prices and measures by the Utility Commission to reign in expensive gas infrastructure spending, protect low income rate payers and begin to curb gas usage in the state, all of which will make heating with efficient electric heat pumps even more attractive to homeowners and businesses.

Learn how to Electrify Your Home to eliminate fossil gas where you live

A free webinar to help you choose the best system

Central Heat Pumps - Find the most cost effective solution for your home January 19th, 12 Noon PST

If you are contemplating installing a heat pump to heat and cool your home, it can be confusing to understand all the various options and configurations. Join the Electrify Coalition as we discuss the key elements to understand, and explore which type of central heat pumps are most cost effective to help you make the right choice for your home. We'll talk to leading experts who will help guide us through the different types of heat pumps and their best applications including the following topics:

• Central or ducted heat pumps versus ductless heat pumps

• Explanation of the types of heat pumps - single, dual or variable stage

• Adding a heat pump to an existing gas furnace

• Switching out a gas furnace for an all electric system

• Why electric resistance backup heating is a good solution

• What systems are most cost effective based on climate

• Key features to consider when getting a new system

Find recordings of our past webinars on every electrification topic

Your donations help electrify those who need it most

Electrify Now has partnered with Community Energy Project to replace old gas powered water heaters with free heat pump water heaters for income qualified homes in Portland. The Electrify Everyone program has installed nearly 50 high efficiency units so far. Each heat pump water heater will avoid over 25 Tons of carbon emissions over its lifetime and saves these families hundreds of dollars per year in utility bills. 

"It's not something that we as a family could possibly do on our own. The program provided a way for us to do what we would want to do if we had the funds." - Desiree

Please make a donation today and take advantage of the 100% match!

Tips on how to electrify your life and reduce your carbon emissions

Learn how you can participate in the growing electrification movement and find discounts on products and services by visiting Electrify Now.

If you have questions or comments, or need some advice about electrification in your home, please contact us at: brianstewart@electrifynow.net

Please share this newsletter with your friends.

Thanks and good luck with your electrification projects!