A Category 5 fire swept through the Twin Parks North West building in January, bringing grief to 17 of our community’s neighbors and their lost homes.In the wake of this tragedy, we heard tenants often complained about insufficient heating in the building, and emergency space heaters started fires.A recent Renthop study found that a staggering 85 percent of the 20 most unique heat-complaining neighborhoods are located in the Bronx.
This is unacceptable.Residents of the Bronx, whether they are low-income immigrants, black or brown, should have basic rights in their homes — including the right to reliable heating and cooling.That’s why we must act quickly to upgrade our buildings to be smarter, greener, healthier and prevent further tragedies.
The Bronx can lead New York City’s building electrification by phasing out the often-failing oil and gas fired heating systems and replacing them with modern, all-electric, and safe equipment such as air-source heat pumps and induction or electric furnaces.When building owners power their homes, businesses and places of worship, we can provide solutions to three complex issues facing communities today: health and safety, economic opportunity and climate change.
Evidence is mounting that every time we burn oil and gas for heat or use a gas stove, we damage our lungs with harmful toxins like nitrogen dioxide.A Stanford University study published last month found that methane leaks from gas stoves even when they are turned off.Children living in households with gas stoves had a 42 percent increased risk of asthma.
Fossil fuels are already taking a toll on the health of Bronx residents, especially children.Due to its proximity to three major highways, asthma rates in the South Bronx are eight to 12 times the national average.This is an environmental justice crisis, and the gas stove and HVAC system in the home will only make things worse.
As an alternative, heat pumps work by taking heat from the outside air (even on cold days) and pumping it indoors.They can also run in reverse, providing cooling in the summer without the need for air conditioning.Heat pumps are 2-4 times more efficient than conventional gas, oil or electrical resistance.They are also quiet and clean.
Electric stoves in the Bronx have become popular.An exciting pilot project between Columbia University and WE ACT for Environmental Justice has just launched in Mott Haven, offering induction cooktops to residents who want to switch from gas to induction.
Currently, BlocPower offers building owners an innovative financing model that makes replacing this aging equipment affordable and easy.Building owners can enjoy the immediate benefits of a heat pump without having to pay a lot of money out of pocket (or in some cases at all).To reduce the cost of retrofit projects, BlocPower’s experts also take advantage of energy rebates and tax programs such as New York State’s Clean Heating Program and the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program.
The upfront cost of upgrading a large building to all-electric can be expensive, and for many low- and moderate-income building owners, it appears to be a hurdle.But the financial and political solutions before us will ensure that all Bronx owners can electrify their buildings for years to come.
In 2019, New York State took the lead in passing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a historic law that promises to reduce climate pollution in the state by at least 85% by 2050.However, the bill has not yet been fully funded by the government.condition.A whopping 67% of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions come from our buildings.That’s why we must pass another bill, the Climate and Community Investment Act, to secure funding for this year’s budget by charging polluters for harmful and dirty emissions.We can then use the funds to modernize and electrify the Bronx’s aging heating and cooling systems.
We also create good green jobs for Bronx residents when we upgrade our buildings to be fully electric.In September, BlocPower partnered with the mayor’s office to launch a civilian climate team to ensure climate technology work flows to communities like the South Bronx that need it most.In just a few months, the company has prepared more than 1,000 people for careers in climate technology, including heat pumps, solar and community WiFi installations.
For example, in 80 District Councils, BlocPower has enrolled nearly 60 participants, most of whom are still active in paid training programs.Over 75% of the participants have received OSHA cards, and a dozen more have graduated and are now working locally in climate technology.Imagine the career opportunities as we expand this program to more Bronx residents.
It’s clear that swift action is needed to electrify buildings in the Bronx not only as a matter of health and safety, but as a win-win for those seeking to participate in New York’s clean energy revolution.The Bronx doesn’t just need to build electrification — it deserves it.
Nathalia Fernández is a member of the New York State Assembly representing the 80th District of the Bronx.Keith Kinch is the general manager and co-founder of BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based climate technology company.