Energy affordability has reached a crisis level in New York State, with 1.4 million New Yorkers having struggled to pay their energy bills this past winter. Disadvantaged New Yorkers – particularly people of color and low-income – face the greatest burden because they are required to spend, on average, a disproportionate amount of their household income on energy bills. On top of that, they are more likely to live in older, less energy-efficient homes that require more energy to heat and cool – raising their energy bills even higher. And given that many of these homes are also plagued with issues such as lead paint, mold, and pests, these households are not eligible for the State’s energy efficiency and clean energy transition programs because they do not cover the cost of remediation required to do this work.
MANHATTAN CLEAN ENERGY HUB
The Manhattan Clean Energy Hub is a virtual resource to help – free of charge – tenants, nonprofits, small businesses, and affordable housing owners in Manhattan learn about low and no-cost renewable energy upgrades that improve indoor air quality and reduce utility costs. We also connect interested jobseekers to clean energy careers. Click here to visit the Manhattan Clean Energy Hub.
CLIMATE JUSTICE WORKING GROUP
Climate justice refers to addressing the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. Building on WE ACT’s legacy of climate justice leadership, our Climate Justice Working Group is comprised of WE ACT members working together to implement equitable climate change solutions at the city, state, and federal levels while building community leadership in support of climate justice in Northern Manhattan and beyond.
The CJWG meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM. Click here to register. And if you want to learn more, including how you can get involved, contact Annie Carforo at annie@weact.org.
