Mark Wolfe is an energy economist, managing director of the National Energy Assistance Directors'Association (NEADA), and representing state directors in low-income countries. doing. Home Energy Support Program and Energy Program Consortium. He specializes in energy, climate, housing, and related consumer finance issues. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own.
Last week, there were more than125 million peoplein the United States. Living under heat warnings and recommendations, the second major heat waveofis expected this week, breaking over 100 high temperature records. And that's only June.
Federal, state and local governments need to see the latest heat waves as an awakening call to develop long-term strategies to help low-income households adapt to rising temperatures. there is.
Here's where to start:
Treat cooling as if it were heating
Extreme heat is just as dangerous. But today, in many states, landlords only need to provide heat to their tenants and do not need air conditioning.
These are outdated rules and need to be updated to reflect rising temperatures.
About 7 million low- and middle-income households (income less than $ 40,000) do not use air conditioning, probably because they cannot afford it. Therefore, the state must require the landlord to provide air conditioning to the tenant.
Introduce utility blocking provisions during the summer
These are, at best, Band-Aid solutions. The state needs stronger barrier protection that applies throughout the season during the summer.
Providing additional funding
And given the rise in electricity prices, the National Energy Assistance Board project predicts that the cost of household energy this summer will increase from $ 450 last summer to about $ 540. doing.
In addition, we need to further fund the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program provides the state with official grants to help low-income families pay for heating and cooling. Currently, about 85% of the program's funding is used by the state to help families pay for heating. With more money, we will be able to provide more robust cooling assistance and equipment.
Rising temperatures are killing people. Helping low-income families adapt to the hotter world and get the relief they need should be an important element of a country's climate adaptation strategy.