SCE files to reduce fossil fuels in buildings with electric heat pumps
In a new green push that could also improve indoor air quality, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed a plan this week with the California Public Utilities Commission that would install approximately 250,000 electric heat pumps throughout its service area.
“Building electrification represents a vital opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and is the area of the California economy where the least amount of progress has been made,” Steven Powell, president and CEO of SCE, said. “This program will accelerate the widespread adoption of electric heat pumps as a first step toward removing the use of fossil fuels in homes and other buildings.”
Meant for both businesses and homes alike, these pumps would be provided for through a $677.2 million budget — supposing the Commission approves. They would be distributed over the course of four years, replacing older gas furnaces. Whereas gas furnaces emit significant greenhouse gas, heat pumps use electricity to funnel heat where needed and draw it back if it’s not, providing heating and air conditioning from the same device.
Income qualified customers and communities disproportionately affected by indoor and outdoor air pollution, extreme weather and climate change would be prioritized by this plan, with approximately 81,000 of the heat pumps earmarked for those purposes. Additionally, some of the funds would go toward retrofits and incentives for panel or circuit upgrades to improve electrical infrastructure as well. At least 40 percent of electric upgrades would go to income-qualified customers and these environmental and social justice communities, as SCE denoted them.
All customers could see a resulting easing of rates, though, as the grid experiences less energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions are cut. For SCE, it could also help meet California’s carbon neutrality goals.
The plan would be paired with a market education initiative to teach the public about the availability and benefits of building electrification technologies.
