The Future is Electric: How New Jersey Should Support Building Owners in the Transition

Mark Kresowik is a deputy regional director for the Sierra Club and co-manager of Sierra Club's work to center affordable housing, low-income families, workers, and communities of color in the building electrification movement. For nearly 15 years Mr. Kresowik has organized and supported campaigns with the Sierra Club to replace dozens of coal-fired power plants with energy efficiency and clean energy, end mountaintop removal coal mining, transform electricity markets, electrify transportation and buildings, and transition communities and workers to a more prosperous and sustainable future. He is a co-author and editor of multiple analyses of the health, climate, and economic impacts of gas in buildings and fossil gas alternatives, including "Rhetoric vs Reality: The Myth of "Renewable Natural Gas" for Building Decarbonization". 

Mr. Kresowik will share conclusions from the New Jersey Energy Master Plan and other states that efficient heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow, and induction cooking are the most cost-effective and practical ways to eliminate climate pollution from our buildings and avoid costly investments in deteriorating gas infrastructure. Electric appliances and vehicles, clean electricity, and grid-interconnectivity will also improve health, safety, and resilience in the face of extreme weather events like Texas experienced this winter. As this transition occurs pipelines will become stranded assets and gas prices will escalate on remaining customers. Building owners looking to control energy costs will want to be on the leading edge - and New Jersey should step up to support them. Mr. Kresowik will share examples of the ways that other states have created resources and started to align funding streams to help building owners make comprehensive, deep retrofits in their properties. He will leave plenty of time to hear your perspectives on what New Jersey should do, and how the Nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization can help. 

By attending this webinar you will: 

1) Get a better view into what the future of energy supply, use, and costs for your buildings will look like as New Jersey transitions to clean energy

2) Learn a little bit more about what other states are doing to support building owners in moving off gas, oil, and propane

3) Have an opportunity to tell one of the Nation's leading advocacy groups what you want them to do in New Jersey and beyond to help you

Jeff Grant is moderating this webinar.