Invested in Affordable Electric Heat Pumps, CT Joins DOE in Better Climate Challenge

July 31, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

I’ve just returned from time at the Council of State Governments CSG East Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. More below on the panel discussion I participated in, but it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from the eastern U.S. as well as getting to meet Governor Wes Moore and hear more about some of the initiatives Maryland is undertaking. Always a great way to learn and think about better ways to serve the people of District 17.
 
You’ll see in this issue we have multiple articles on energy including one on heat pumps. For those who may have experienced heat pumps decades ago, they have drastically improved and are more reliable and eco-friendlier (and often, wallet-friendly) than ever before. It may be something you want to look into for your own home when it’s time to replace whatever system you have.
 
Today is also International Lifeguard Day and we sure are grateful to have them staffing our pools and beaches in Connecticut and beyond. Their work keeps us safe and saves lives!
 
It’s hard to believe we are already at the end of another month of summer and I hope you are packing as much fun as you can in the remaining time we have until school starts at the end of August.

Have a great week,

Eleni
AN INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC HEAT PUMPS 
Connecticut will get up to $100 million to help speed up the process of attaining more affordable electric heat pumps installed throughout the state. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $450 million to a coalition of states, including Connecticut, known as the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Coalition.

The goal is to increase the number of cold-climate air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and ground-source heat pumps in single-family and multi-family homes. These heat pumps reduce emissions, provide significant health benefits, and deliver energy savings.

The coalition will work collaboratively to promote the development of heat pump skill sets in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical workforce. It also intends to invest about 50% of the benefits in historically overburdened and underserved communities.
Additionally, the coalition will partner with heat pump manufacturers, distributors, and installers to increase the availability of air-source and ground-source heat pumps while lowering equipment and installation costs for consumers. This partnership will include significant investment in workforce training, ensuring installers will have access to good-paying careers while delivering more efficient heating and cooling solutions. To learn more, please click HERE.
 
CT JOINS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IN BETTER CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Connecticut has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge, becoming one of more than 50 organizations across the United States stepping up to the challenge and driving real-world action toward a low-carbon future. 

As Connecticut undertakes this challenge, DOE will support its efforts with technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and a platform for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution to climate change. If you would like to read more, please click HERE.
 
CEA LEGISLATOR REPORT CARDS ARE IN
The Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest group of public school teachers, uses a report card system to evaluate legislators' voting records and their advocacy in advancing the CEA's priorities over the two-year legislative cycle. Please click on the image below to see how I scored.
I want to thank the CEA for acknowledging my efforts, which align with theirs, including promoting the teaching profession, protecting pensions, and supporting policies that enhance public education.
 
COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENT EAST CONFERENCE
Another great day at The Council of State Governments CSG East Conference with colleagues and friends talking middle housing and TOD. Great questions from the audience and interesting ideas from across the country. 
 
When I speak to business owners in our district and across the state, many of them want to expand, but the concern remains, where will their employees live? Electric Boat took the issue into their own hands and started building housing to help fill the thousands of job vacancies they have. But, smaller businesses that want to expand can’t afford to build housing. 
One thing is clear, middle housing is critical for every state’s economy to grow. And smart, effective housing policy is one way we will get there.
 
 DEADLINE TODAY: TOWN OF CANTON SURVEY 
(Town of Canton)

The Canton Economic Development Agency seeks your input on future development ideas and has compiled a survey, which you can access right HERE. The deadline to submit responses is TODAY, July 31, 2024.
 
SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS GRANT PROGRAM 
If you are an Avon non-profit planning an event this winter, the Town is welcoming applications for its Support for Community Events Grant Program. Applications are being accepted from non-profits for qualified events occurring between November 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025. The deadline to submit applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024. For more details, please click HERE.
 
VETS HALL OF FAME ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH SEPT. 15
Are you looking to pay homage to distinguished veterans from Connecticut who have continued making positive impacts after leaving military service? You can nominate them for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2024! Download the nomination package by clicking on the image below.
Completed nomination packages must be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs by September 15, 2024. They should be delivered by email to lindsay.jesshop@ct.gov or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to:
 
Office of the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
287 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Additional information on eligibility criteria and other requirements can be found in the nomination package.
 
ARTIST FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH SEPT. 20

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) and its Artist Fellowship program, which, provides recognition and funding support for Connecticut artists to pursue new work and advance their artistic careers, are now accepting applications.

All artistic disciplines are eligible! 

Connecticut artists must be the primary creators of original works of art.

Grants are awarded in three designations and grant amounts:

  • Artistic Excellence grants: $5,000
  • Artist Fellowship grants: $3,000
  • Emerging Recognition grants: $1,000 

The deadline to apply is on or before September 20. Some eligibility restrictions apply, so please review the program webpage before applying HERE.
 
THANK YOU LIFEGUARDS

Let’s hear it for the lifeguards who keep our community safe throughout the year!

Sincerely,


Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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