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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.
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).
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists

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