Equitable Access to Cooling in New York City Under a Changing Climate

Jim Young
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Jim Young
Proposer First Name
Jim
Proposer Email
jim.young@guidehouse.com
Proposer Last Name
Young
Proposer Phone
(312) 583-3743
Proposer Job Title
Associate Director
Proposed Session Description
Climate change will have significant impacts on indoor cooling needs in New York City, particularly for vulnerable population and communities who will see disproportionate health, economic, and other effects. First, our project team analyzed how current cooling usage patterns will change based on climate change, building codes, and committed energy efficiency goals. Secondly, the team conducted structured dialogues with experts to understand the opportunities and challenges with different technology and policy solutions. Next, the team evaluated these strategies to meet the cooling needs for vulnerable populations while minimizing cost and energy demand across NYC. The key findings and recommendations will be useful for stakeholders involved in NYC building codes, public policy, environmental justice, health and safety, and other backgrounds.
Why is this session important?
We believe attendees will leave the session with a greater appreciation for the challenges that vulnerable populations face during summer heat waves, as well as solution sets that can have high impacts for equitable cooling while minimizing adverse effects on the electricity grid and NYC residents.

Comments

Fatou Jabbie Thu, 04/08/2021 - 1:42 pm

YES. Extremely important session on equity and impacts on indoor cooling needs for communities who will see disproportionate health, economic in NYC.
I also like that, the presenters have data that was analyzed showcasing how current cooling usage patterns and evaluated strategies to meet the cooling needs for vulnerable populations while minimizing cost and energy demand.
 

Susan Farber Mon, 04/12/2021 - 5:06 pm

ROUND 1 DISCUSSION: Cost of energy in low-income communities is profound. Needs to be discussed in ways that connects the dots. They have data, have analyzed what this means for our NYC communities. Wholistic approach, aligned to NESEA's goals. "Can't wait to learn more." NYSERDA speaker: might pull content towards policy? (Policy sub-group looking for more content.) HPD: New policy for cooling. Put this on the path to policy. Amanda Stevens is excellent speaker.

Elihu Dietz Mon, 05/17/2021 - 10:23 am

Yes - 90 min. Guidehouse responded to an RFP from NYSERDA about the future of cooling needs in NYC to help them develop their strategy over the next decade. This team used data from the NY State ClimAid report, as well as interviews with community groups such as WE ACT, Environmental Justice Alliance, Hope Program, and Million Trees program. The goal was to make recommentations for equitable cooling solutions that include factors such as AC saturation changes, impacts of tree planting, developing more cooling centers, HEEP programs, and impacts of heat on human health. They ultimately developed four scenarios for what the future of cooling could look like and made recommendations about how to provide cooling equitably. They have submitted a final draft report to NYSERDA and are awaiting comments. Speakers would include someone from NYSERDA, Guidehouse, and community organizations. Both Molly and Jim live out of state but said they would be able to present in-person in September. They would like a 90-minute session and I agree. This is an interesting and complicated policy session that raises larger questions about how we adapt to climate change and think holistically about costs and benefits. It's very high-level but the having a range of presenters and perspectives on this could be really compelling. This session may require some more hands-on attention from a conference committee member since the speakers have not yet been decided. It's a lot to cover in one session and they may need help to stay focused on certain take aways from the study, rather than trying to go over all of it's findings.  

Susan Farber Thu, 05/20/2021 - 2:56 pm

ROUND 2 discussion - Decade-long strategy for cooling in NYC, how to supply cooling equitably. Emphasis on data. Report is complete. Working with community groups. New and compelling information. Looking at 20 minutes about the report, then speakers from NYSERDA and the community orgs. Hesitation: high level, not immediately applicable/actionable. Can they connect to current policy?

Diversity and Inclusiveness
The project and the session focus on expanding cooling access for vulnerable populations in NYC. Achieving cooling equity both within the home and on a neighborhood level is the underlying driver for the NYSERDA-sponsored project.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize the health, comfort, and safety challenges that vulnerable populations face during the summer months in NYC and other areas.
2. Describe the opportunities and limitations for technology and policy solutions to address cooling equity.
3. Understand how different solutions compare on their impacts to vulnerable residents, impacts on the electrical grid, annual costs, relative cost-effectiveness, and feasibility.
4. Consider further action around expanding cooling equity in NYC through policies, building codes, and community action programs.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
Background topics and early findings from the project were discussed during the Low-Income Forum on Energy (LIFE) 2020 Virtual Event in Fall 2020, but not in a comprehensive way (https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All%20Programs/Programs/Low%20Income%20Forum%20on%20Energy).

NYC 2021 Areas of Focus

Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2021

Comments about your speaker roster
We will finalize the speakers based on the length of the session and speaker availability. This will likely include one or more members from the Guidehouse project team, our NYSERDA project sponsor, and potentially one representative from our Project Advisory Council, many of which represent experts in NYC building and health topics. The Guidehouse team and other potential speakers in our project team have extensive experience speaking at conferences and industry events around energy efficiency, building technologies, decarbonization policies, and other topics.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this session proposal and would be happy to answer any questions during the review process.
Reviewer 1
Jabbie, Fatou
Reviewer 2
Dietz, Elihu
Curator
Dietz, Elihu
Proposal #
106
Session #
212
Committee Decision
Accepted

Presenters