<
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/21/gas-company-habitat-for-humanity>
"US gas utilities are partnering with one of the nation’s most trusted
non-profits as part of a “cynical PR stunt” to combat efforts to curb fossil
fuel usage, a
Guardian investigation has found.
Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates have teamed up with at least four
utilities across 10 states to build “zero-net energy homes”, which are meant to
produce more energy than they use.
The houses, which are sold at affordable rates to low-income families, are
weatherized and meticulously insulated to boost efficiency and equipped with
rooftop solar panels. But they also come with appliances powered by gas, a
planet-heating fossil fuel that has been shown to degrade indoor air quality.
The utilities say the homes provide lower electricity bills and affordable
mortgages for vulnerable families.
“It’s part of our culture to really give back to the communities that we
serve,” Jennifer Altieri, vice-president of public affairs for Atmos Energy’s
Colorado-Kansas division, said in a video announcing the utility’s first
Habitat home in Evans, Colorado, in September 2021, which was provided to a
single mother and her children.
Yet Atmos has privately described the project as something closer to a public
relations tactic, intentionally launched in a state that is “on the frontlines”
of attempts to quell reliance on gas."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
