Grid Magazine January 2025 [#188]

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Don’t miss the bike bus to school

An oasis in Belmont is destroyed by development

Parents and students struggle with SEPTA commute

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JANUARY 2025 / ISSUE 188 / GRIDPHILLY.COM

T O W A R D A S U S TA I N A B L E P H I L A D E L P H I A

electrify

everything Our guide to the wiring, panels, appliances and rebates for your home’s energy future

REAL FOOD. LOCAL ROOTS. COLLEGEVILLE | DOUGLASSVILLE | DOWNINGTOWN KIMBERTON | MALVERN | OTTSVILLE | WYOMISSING kimbertonwholefoods.com

?

Not sure what to do with your

CHRISTMAS TREE For the 14th year in a row, Bennett Compost has you covered!

We are working with the Fishtown Neighbors Association to help you out.

OPTION 1

DROP-OFF

The Fishtown Neighbors Association Tree-Cycling Former Greensgrow Site 2501 East Cumberland Street Saturday, January 4, 2025 | 10am to 2pm $5 suggested donation OPTION 2

BENNETT COMPOST CURBSIDE PICK-UP January 4 and 5 | January 11 and 12 January 18 and 19 $20 ($5 will be donated to the neighbors association)

Sign up at bennettcompost.com/seasonal Please remove all lights and decorations!

We can also take live garland and wreaths.

Please make sure all wire and metal backing have been removed.

OPTION 3

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA For drop-off spots throughout the city, Google “phila.gov tree recycling”

JAN UARY 20 25

G R I DP HI LLY.COM

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EDI TO R ’S NOTES

by bernard brown

publisher Alex Mulcahy managing editor Bernard Brown associate editor & distribution Timothy Mulcahy tim@gridphilly.com deputy editor Sophia D. Merow art director Michael Wohlberg writers Kyle Bagenstose Gabriel Donahue Nic Esposito Emily Kovach Alex Mulcahy Jordan Teicher photographers Chris Baker Evens Matthew Bender Drew Dennis Jordan Teicher illustrators James Olstein published by Red Flag Media 1032 Arch Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 215.625.9850 G R I D P H I L LY. C O M

Content with the above logo is part of Every Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, and Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.

To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org.

Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.

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JA NUA RY 20 25

Four More Years

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ike a lot of Grid readers, I’m still adjusting to the reality of the 2024 presidential election. There is my conscious perception of reality, based on the facts of the world, and there is my gut-level sense of reality, colored by how I think the world should be. The two are out of whack.

Case in point: We have been planning this electrification guide for almost a year.

It started with an idea Grid contributor Kyle Bagenstose floated in conversation that resonated with my own desire to understand the electrification incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).

This is partly selfish: I’ve got a short but expensive list of fossil-fueled appliances I’d like to replace. Every time I try to figure out how much I’d get back through tax incentives if I were to replace them, my head swims. I can’t be the only one. So we ran with the idea. Over the following months we talked in the office, looked at hand-drawn mock-ups of the pages, and emailed back and forth. The election took place, and we kept working on the issue. But somehow it was only as I read our interview with Rewiring America that reality truly hit me: Trump’s administration might mean an end to the electrification incentives we were explaining in this issue.

As we go to print, about a month before inauguration day, Trump promises to repeal the IRA. No one is certain whether the votes will be there to do it, but with Republican control of both houses of Congress, it certainly is possible. That places us in the tough position of publishing a guide that might be outdated almost upon arrival.

Obviously our editorial mess pales in comparison to the challenges facing the country and the planet. We’re leaving behind the Biden administration, whose response to global warming was mixed. The success of the IRA legislation was undermined by sky-high fossil fuel production, like stepping on the gas and the brakes at the same time. But now the Trump administration promises to throw the fight against global warming into reverse.

So what can we do about it? Well, for starters, we can replace our fossil fuel furnaces with electric heat pumps, swap our gas stoves for induction ranges and take all of the other steps covered in this issue as fast as we can afford to. Going electric made sense for the climate and for our local (and indoor) air quality before the IRA was passed, and it still does now — even if the savings might take longer to add up.

Journalists are correctly stereotyped as being a grumpy, cynical bunch, but the truth is we’re mostly optimists. We wouldn’t do what we do if we didn’t think it was possible to improve the world. Even if the IRA is overturned — and it may not be — this guide is still worth it, as is electrification.

It’ll be another four years before we can make any changes at the White House, but we can start in our own houses right now.

b e r na r d b r ow n , Managing Editor

COV E R IL LUSTRATIO N BY JAM ES OLSTEI N

JAN UARY 20 25

G R I DP HI LLY.COM

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cycling

Here Comes the Bike Bus Philly parents and students are joining a global movement to reimagine the school commute story and photos by jordan teicher

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t’s a friday morning in October, and there’s a steady stream of cars driving down 43rd Street in West Philly’s Spruce Hill neighborhood.

Then, through the traffic, a cavalcade emerges of about 20 parents and children on bicycles — a mix of kids on electric cargo bikes, kids on the front of folding bikes, kids on their own bikes. A minute later, they reach the Penn Alexander schoolyard, where helmets are quickly removed, backpacks are slung onto young shoulders and kids disappear into the crowd.

This is no accidental convergence of school bike commuters. The Penn Alexander bike bus is an organized group of parents and students. Weather permitting, they meet every Friday, riding the half-mile or so along a

prescribed route to school. Biking as a group, participants attest, makes the ride safer and more fun. It also inspires more students and parents to choose a more active and more sustainable way to get around.

Andrew Ziv, Erin Abrigo and Yoni Brook started the group this year after Brook sent Ziv a video about a bike bus in Portland, Oregon. “Some of us bike to school every day, but a lot of parents do feel unsafe,” Ziv says.

“It’s nice to have a day of the week where we know you can bike to school and it’s safe.

The kids love it.”

The bike bus is an old idea that’s gaining new momentum. The first bike bus was organized in Belgium in 1998, and in the years since, municipal or parent-led initiatives have grown the movement in fits and

starts. In 2021, there was a surge in interest when videos of a bike bus in Barcelona went viral. Today, according to a survey by City Lab Barcelona, there are at least 470 bike buses around the world, and they transport about 32,000 children to school each week.

The average bike bus has 10 children and seven adults, travels less than two miles, and lasts about 20 minutes once a week.

Here in Philadelphia, the trend is catching on. The Penn Alexander bike bus is now one of three citywide. And the City would like to see more of them.

A few decades ago, it would have been fairly

common to see students biking to school. In 1969, nearly half of children got to school on foot or by bike. By 2021, that number had

Parents lead students in the Penn Alexander elementary bike bus, a weekly half-mile critical mass ride to school.

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dropped to just 11%, the result of increasing car traffic and sprawl. (Only 1% of students bike to school.)

To combat this trend, the first Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program emerged in the 1990s in the Bronx. In 2005, Congress approved $612 million in funding for SRTS programs across the country, which helped build or improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure around schools and launch SRTS education campaigns.

In 2013, this funding led to the creation of Philadelphia’s first bike bus at Meredith Elementary School in Queen Village.

Carsten Starke, a parent of two children, was one of the original organizers. More than a decade later, he still rides the route with his younger child. “It’s a unique opportunity for them to ride in the street. Usually, they’re condemned to the sidewalks, which are very bumpy and unsafe on their own, and they can’t really keep a steady speed,” he says. “On the street, it’s a completely different experience. It instills in them this fun of just pure bicycle riding.”

streets. Organizers of the Meredith bike bus, for instance, assign parents to ride up ahead of the pack to block intersections. In the past, Starke says, a police officer would escort the group.

Even with the best precautions in place, however, there’s still unpredictable Philadelphia drivers to contend with. On the day this reporter visited the Penn Alexander bike bus, the group encountered one of them. “There was an aggressive driver that was honking and speeding through. He started yelling at us about taking the whole road,” Ziv says.

According to Jason McCartney, who now leads the Meredith bike bus, such encounters are disconcerting, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. “You get some horns, you get some impatient people every once in a while,” he says. “But when people realize that it’s a bunch of little kids riding in the street together, it puts a little smile on their face.”

According to Peter DeCarolis, the coordina-

tor for Safe Routes Philly, the City’s youth bicycle and pedestrian safety education

You get some horns, you get some impatient people once in a while … But when people realize that it’s a bunch of kids riding in the street together, it puts a smile on their face.” jas on mccartney, Meredith Elementary bike bus parent

The experience is joyful for parents, too, if slightly more stressful. Organizing a bike bus requires a good deal of time and effort — both hard to come by for busy parents. As a result, most of the bike buses in Philadelphia run only semi-regularly. The Meredith bike bus rides for a month in the fall and a month in the spring. Jason Sandman, who got a bike bus started at George W. Nebinger Elementary School in Queen Village this year, intends to follow a similar schedule. “We are two parent volunteers.

So we are not signing up yet for a full-time situation,” says Sandman.

Bike bus organizers also have to mitigate the hazards that come with shepherding a group of kids through often-hectic city

program, Philadelphia can — and should — have more kids walking and biking to school together.

“We find this negative feedback loop in schools that are not quite set up for walking or biking the way they could be, where it looks dangerous, so you decide to drive your kids, so there’s more cars, so it looks more dangerous, and more parents decide to drive,” DeCarolis says. “So reversing that trend with the bike bus and the walking school buses is a way to make those kids safer as well.”

Bike buses can inherently make the ride to school safer for parents and students, but there’s more that can be done. “There’s two ways to make a street safer for a bike

bus. One is to have separated infrastructure where you’re physically separate from the vehicles,” says DeCarolis. “The other is to engineer a street that is calm enough where you minimize the danger of a crash because you’ve taken the speed out of the equation and the volume of cars.”

The City is making progress on both approaches. At the end of 2023, there were 29.8 miles of separated bike lanes in the city, and 4.3 additional miles under construction.

The city’s High-Quality Bike Network plan aims for a network of protected bike routes within a quarter-mile of every Philadelphian by 2040. Last year, the City had six Neighborhood Slow Zones — which calm traffic in an entire zone of residential streets — completed or under construction. Six schools in North Philadelphia, meanwhile, received $25 million in federal funds to calm traffic last year.

There is, however, often more demand for such initiatives than there is supply. (There were 33 applications for the Neighborhood Slow Zones program in 2023, for example — an 18% increase from the previous round.

Only the top-scoring Slow Zone proposals will become a reality, pending the availability of funding.) And 2023 had a record-high number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

Residents of some neighborhoods are finding other ways to make the school commute safer. In Spruce Hill, the Spruce Hill Community Association and the University City District are partnering to add a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of 43rd and Spruce — near Penn Alexander — that will not only slow cars down but also force them to turn more safely. This fall, the City put in speed bumps around the entire perimeter of the school. According to Penn Alexander principal Lauren Overton, barriers will soon be installed to protect bike lanes near the school.

For some parents, the bike bus is a way to help demonstrate the immediate need for safer streets and better infrastructure. It’s also a way to prime the next generation to enjoy that infrastructure in the future, to get them hooked on biking for life.

“If we cultivate a population of active transportation kiddos, if they’re staying healthy and getting fresh air and arriving to school energized and awake and ready to go, that’s a pretty good legacy, I think,” says Sandman. ◆ JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HILLY.COM 5

sponsored content

Lianna Criniti, left, is Food for Thought’s kitchen manager and chef.

Right: Parent volunteers at KWS are beneficial to both the running of the kitchen and for the building of community among parents.

Cultivating Food and Community Kimberton Waldorf parents, students and staff grow, harvest and cook the school’s daily lunches by courtney h. diener-stokes

E

very Monday around 9 a.m., Kimberton Waldorf School’s Food for Thought lunch program stocks up on Seven Stars Farm maple and vanilla yogurt. Located just across the street, the biodynamic farm is among the many local food producers and growers the school uses to source ingredients for their daily lunch menu.

The agricultural hub of Kimberton, located in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Chester County, makes the school’s location ideal for easy access to a range of seasonal produce that’s either organically or biodynamically grown. Current partners include Seven Stars Farm, Kimberton CSA, Sankanac CSA, and Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op, among others.

Right on Kimberton’s 430-acre campus, the school’s two-acre organic/biodynamic garden provides opportunities for the kitchen to preserve their bounty to last through 6 GRID P H IL LY.CO M JA NUA RY 20 2025 25

the upcoming school year. “I look forward to working closely with the planning of the garden to compliment a seasonal menu,” says Lianna Criniti, the school’s newlyappointed kitchen manager and chef.

Gardening is interwoven with the curriculum and children at KWS experience the school’s acclaimed garden program from the elementary years through high school, so they give a hand in helping to create Criniti’s wholesome meals.

“The students plant a seed and, with love and care, watch the tiny seedling grow into a strong plant, which is then settled out into the garden — they get to witness the miracle of how the Earth provides for us,” says Celia Martin, KWS science teacher and student support coordinator, who previously

served as a gardening teacher at the school for 16 years. “When they finally get to eat the fruits of their months-long labor, they savor it and truly appreciate the time and care that went into growing it.”

The students benefit from the hot lunch program and garden program partnership in multiple ways, including expanding their palate, enjoying nutritious food, and realizing what goes into producing food.

“The kitchen benefits by getting free, fresh, very local food that the students are excited about and want to eat,” Martin says.

Items like homemade tomato sauce and pickles are among the more common pantry staples in the kitchen, compliments of last year’s harvest. Apple cider, made from apples grown in the school’s orchard that were

Kimberton Waldorf School is a founding member of and is accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).

P HOTO G RAP HY BY M E L ISSA KELLY

picked and pressed by students, is highly anticipated come fall. Leftovers are frozen into ice pops come spring when students can buy them at the snack bar after school.

At the snack bar, they can also find Criniti’s plump, warm chocolate chip cookies.

Wednesday’s snack bar day is the designated spot for parents who are soup and sourdough bread boule subscribers, to pick up their share. The slow-simmered soups, whether butternut squash, Italian wedding or potato leek, are packaged in 32-ounce Mason jars that are later returned by parents to be reused. Parent volunteers help run the snack bar and earlier in the day, they provide necessary help in the kitchen to prepare each day’s lunch.

Food for Thought’s parent volunteer program is beneficial to both the running of the kitchen and for the building of community among parents. Ania Zebrowski, who has four children at KWS, has a strong passion for cooking and feels that through volunteering, she can make a positive impact on ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Courtney Diener-Stokes is a Waldorf parent of three who served on Kimberton Waldorf School’s Board of Trustees for four years. An award-winning journalist and food writer, Diener-Stokes co-authored “Farmhouse Manna: Nourishing Head, Heart, and Hands,” a holistic guide and cookbook for parents of young children, and “Kimberton Whole Foods Cookbook: A Family History with Recipes” (Hickory Grove Publishing). Growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania fostered her passion for supporting local agriculture and love of homegrown food through her writing.

the community while also gaining valuable culinary experience and skills.

“Knowing that we, as a community, prepare simple, delicious and healthy meals for the children and faculty gives me lots of joy,” Zebrowski says. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces as they come up for seconds is always heartwarming.”

Getting a chance to spend time with other members of the community is also a perk.

“Working with other parents who share the same approach to the importance of cooking healthy food creates a good work environment,” she says. “I deeply believe that volunteering at the KWS kitchen brings joy and fulfillment to everyone’s life.”

At about 11:30 a.m. each school day, a flurry of activity happens in the school’s gymnasium as Zebrowski and other parent volunteers work to transform the gym into a dining room complete with fresh flowers at every table, serving stations and a salad bar that offers a variety of toppings and sides, such as homemade applesauce and granola to top the Seven Stars yogurt.

After lunch, students place any leftover food in designated scrap bins. “The sixth grade comes and picks it up to dump in the compost bin on campus every day and sometimes the scraps are fed to the third grade’s chickens that live on campus,” Criniti says of their zero-food-waste approach.

She feels strongly that the involvement of the children in each aspect of the meals they’re eating is imperative to growing them to be food-conscious humans. “It’s a gift to be a part of passing that knowledge on to them and the community.”

Read on for a couple of Criniti’s tasty recipes that are beloved by students, faculty and parents of Kimberton Waldorf School!

Potato Leek Soup with Fresh Dill Potato leek soup is one of the beloved soups served for lunch by Kimberton Waldorf School’s Food for Thought program on ‘soup day’ every Wednesday. serves 8 to 10 2 leeks, ends removed, chopped 4 stalks celery, chopped 1 large white onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, peeled and kept whole 1 tsp. paprika 3 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped 3 Tbsp. kosher salt 2 tsp. cracked pepper

5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and left whole* 6 cups vegetable stock 2 cups heavy cream**

ȯ In a large pot on medium heat, sauté the leeks, celery, onion and garlic in a small amount of olive oil for 10 minutes. Once the onions and celery are soft and translucent, add your spices and half of your dill. ȯ Continue to cook for 5 more minutes. ȯ Lastly, add your potatoes and stock, making sure to only use enough stock to barely cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes and then reduce to a simmer until potatoes begin to fall apart. ȯ Finally, using an immersion blender, blitz your soup while slowly adding your cream until you’ve reached your desired consistency. ȯ Fold in the remainder of your fresh dill and enjoy. notes from chef craniti * It’s very important to leave the potatoes whole during the cooking process because it allows for the natural starches in the potato to break down at a slower rate, thus making your soup rich and creamy. ** This soup can be made dairy-free by simply swapping out the cream for a dairy-free option. I prefer oat milk!

Lemon Buttermilk Pie Chef Criniti is known for the tasty pies she makes for the school’s bake and pie sales held on campus. serves 6 to 8 10 eggs 3 cups sugar 3 lemons, zested and juiced 2 cups buttermilk 2 tsp. vanilla ½ cups flour 3 Tbsp. melted butter 1 unbaked pie shell

ȯ Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together all ingredients except the buttermilk.

After fully mixed, slowly whisk in the buttermilk. ȯ Pour mixture directly into a cold, unbaked pie shell. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Pie will jiggle when finished. ȯ Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for one hour before serving. Pairs best with fresh whipped cream

JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HILLY.COM 7

open space

An apartment building now stands where neighbors had beautified a lot beside a mural memorializing celebrated broadcast journalist Ed Bradley.

Oasis Obliterated Development destroys a treasured pollinator garden and obstructs mural in Belmont by nic esposito

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n 2024, to celebrate her 75th birthday, Aminata Calhoun took a trip to Spain for some much-needed rest and relaxation. After a few weeks of soaking in the picturesque Spanish scenery, she returned home to a landscape starkly different from the one she had left. Surrounding the lot at Belmont and Wyalusing avenues that she had tirelessly cleaned and beautified into what she dubbed the “Ed Bradley Oasis” was a chain-link contractor fence barring Calhoun and the rest of the community from the land they had once tended with such care.

“It was a shock to me, visually, and it saddened me emotionally,” Calhoun remembers.

“I came back to heavy equipment, machinery, 8 GRID P H I L LY.CO M JA NUA RY 20 25

that had already torn down the planters and had destroyed the pollinator garden.”

The fences that went up at the southeast corner of Belmont and Wyalusing marked an end to eight years of Calhoun’s organizing and beautification work. As covered in the September 2020 issue of Grid (#136), after Calhoun’s parents passed away in 2016, she moved into their house on Belmont Avenue. What she didn’t expect was that she’d soon be taking care of the vacant lot just a few doors down.

Calhoun says she couldn’t just stand by and watch the lot accumulate heaps of illegally dumped trash and debris. At first Calhoun started doing cleanups herself.

When that became unmanageable, she tried

reporting the illegal dumping through the Philly311 system. And when that proved ineffective, she coordinated with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and Mural Arts Philadelphia to beautify the lot.

Mural Arts started the process by installing a mural of West Philadelphia-born broadcasting legend Ed Bradley. After the mural went up, the lot was among those selected by PHS to receive a pollinator garden as part of a collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The 2020 Grid article quoted representatives from PHS and NWF touting the project as a verdant example of using horticulture to beautify a community. Only four years after moving in, Calhoun had created what she affectionately referred to as the “Ed Bradley Oasis.”

When, just a year after the garden was created, the pandemic hit, the site became an even greater refuge for the community, offering somewhere for children to escape quarantine and virtual school and experience the P HOTO BY CHRIS BAKER EVENS

Aminata Calhoun spearheaded the beautification of the corner lot on Belmont Avenue.

She returned from vacation to find the oasis destroyed.

I came back to heavy equipment, machinery, that had already torn down the planters and had destroyed the pollinator garden.”

DREW DENNIS

aminata calhoun, Ed Bradley Oasis caretaker natural world, a place for neighbors to safely convene and enjoy events such as poetry readings. Calhoun reports placing drastically fewer 911 calls after the lot was beautified than she had previously. This was where the Grid story of September 2020 ended.

For Calhoun the story continued. Early on in her efforts to clean up the lot, Calhoun had contacted the property’s owners, a couple from South Philly who had owned the lot for almost 30 years. After hearing about the pollinator garden and Calhoun’s ideas for bringing positive change to the community, they were upfront with her about not having plans for the lot. They told her to go ahead with her project, especially if it was going to do the neighborhood good.

Calhoun says that, over the years she tended the land, she tried to make contact a few more times with the owners and even invited them to the ribbon cutting once the pollinator garden was installed, but they declined the invitation. With all the work she was putting in, Calhoun didn’t have time to think about the ownership of the space or to engage with the associated bureaucracy. And the lack of strong Registered Community Organization (RCO) representation in Calhoun’s neighborhood didn’t help matters. These community organizations function as development and zoning liaisons between the City government and residents. One RCO leader suffered a terrible fire at his residence, Calhoun explains, and the other recently passed away. Calhoun

had no idea that the lot was even under the threat of development.

Even now, as a multiunit building is being constructed on the land that once hosted her pollinator garden and the Ed Bradley mural is completely covered, Calhoun says she is not mad at the former owners or the developers they sold to. Although she still has not had contact with the owners and doesn’t know why they sold the parcel, Calhoun says she can imagine a number of reasons, including needing the money for retirement or some other family necessity.

She also says she isn’t angry at the developers who bought the lot and built on it, because, as she puts it, “Developers do what developers do.”

Mural Arts is not letting the developers evade responsibility, however. They have been in touch with Isaac Katz, the director of operations of site developer Grandview Developers. According to a spokesperson, Mural Arts is asking Grandview to fully or partially fund the mural’s re-creation on another wall near the garden. As of this writing, Grandview, which did not respond to questions before this article went to print, JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP H ILLY.COM 9

open space

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The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society installed a pollinator garden at the site.

F LO W E R P H OTO BY D R E W D E N N I S

had not communicated whether they would honor this request.

According to Mural Arts’ executive director, Jane Golden, the public art nonprofit isn’t appealing only to Grandview. She would also like to see a City policy requiring developers to coordinate with the City when there is a community asset such as a mural or garden on a lot they want to develop and notify the creator of that work of the development threat. Golden points out that a developer wouldn’t just demolish a building without telling anyone even if they didn’t know who owned it. So, in her view, the same should go for works of art like murals. But when it comes to community, Golden has an even more compelling reason for this advocacy.

“When a mural goes away, there’s also all the people who worked on that project, the community voice, the team of artists,” Golden laments. “It’s this robust village that brought the work of public art to life.

So when it goes away, it’s like just taking away a part of Philadelphia.”

Calhoun shared Golden’s sense of loss when she saw her work get buried, especially since the lot in question is in one of the many neighborhoods that have historically shouldered the burden of Philadelphia’s vacant lot crisis.

“These lots are predominantly in communities that are challenged with resources and psychologically stressed from the blight,” Calhoun explains. And as the City’s 2019 Litter Index Report found, the majority of heavily dumped-on neighborhoods and vacant lots are in the lowest income parts of the city. (Full disclosure: I worked on this report while serving as the director of the City’s Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet.)

Calhoun is frustrated that the City government lacks the policies and programs to help residents and community organizations — left to deal with the negative effects of vacant lots — put these spaces to productive use via a clear and transparent process.

Calhoun has, however, seen the power of vacant lot beautification, and even after the frustrating and traumatic demise of the Ed Bradley Oasis, she is actually looking to start another project.

“I’m a little dismayed, but I’m not beat down to the point that I would not do it again,” she says. “I’m just looking in a more strategic way.” ◆

AE RIAL P HOTO BY CHRIS BAKER EVENS

public transit

Tariem Burroughs and his son rely on the Route 21 bus to get to school every morning.

Not Getting There SEPTA’s funding crisis doesn’t just disrupt service. For Philly students, it disrupts their school day by gabriel donahue

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n mo st weekdays, Tariem Burroughs takes his first grader to school on the Route 21 bus, so his husband, Nick, gets their son dressed and ready. Nick manages the moods of the six-year-old, sure, but it’s Burroughs who deals with the piece of the morning puzzle that’s both unpredictable and beyond the family’s control: SEPTA. P HOTO BY M AT T H EW B END E R

“It’s really frustrating and stressful because you want to make sure your kid gets to school on time so they get the most out of their education, and also I have to get to work afterwards, too,” the West Philly resident and SEPTA Citizen Advisory Committee member says.

The transit authority transports roughly 55,000 students, and they could all face more disruptions to their commute as

SEPTA continues to navigate a multimillion dollar funding crisis. Late last month, Governor Josh Shapiro transferred $153 million from highway projects to SEPTA, Billy Penn reported. That money will stave off service reductions for buses and trains for about six more months. But with no permanent, stable funding source and an ongoing operator shortage, SEPTA’s reliability and future useability remains in question.

Christina Clark, a communications officer for the School District of Philadelphia, confirmed in an email that tardiness due to SEPTA are excused. And, luckily for Burroughs, he usually gets his son to school while the other students are lined up or walking into the building — on time, in other words, but just barely.

The same isn’t true for everyone. Pennsport resident Katy Otto boards the bus twice a week to accompany her fourth grader to Friends Select, a private Quaker school in Center City. Service disruptions have become routine, she reports, and many a morning she and fellow passengers vent their frustrations to one another en route to one more late-starting school day.

“It used to be somewhat infrequent, but now it’s like every time,” Otto says. “It’s just generally gotten worse over the past two months.”

Otto says that when the bus is late, she and her son can take the Broad Street Line or the family car, the latter parked roughly a quarter-mile away. The walk can be difficult for a young child, though, and often, by the time Otto realizes the bus isn’t coming, those other options won’t prevent her son from missing his before-school job greeting the younger kids or even the beginning of the school day itself.

“He’s missing out on education time, as is everyone else on the train,” she says.

Dave Younkin, director of the Friends Select Lower School, says that lateness caused by SEPTA delays or cancellations is excused. In an email, he explained that the school checks the transit authority’s website to confirm issues reported by parents checking students in late. But Younkin clarified that that doesn’t mean it’s a nonissue.

“From an educational perspective, SEPTA issues or delays that cause a student to be late on a frequent basis do impact the child’s day in negative ways, as CO N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 2 JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HILLY.COM 1 1

the

BY KYLE BAGENSTOSE

issue

The year is 2050. On every street across the wide expanse of the United States, nearly every vehicle that goes by emits only the quiet whine of an electric motor. A few folks still ride by in antique, gas-powered cars, but in many places such vehicles are greatly outnumbered even by electric bikes. ¶ The houses lining the streets are also quiet, peaceful. There’s nothing coming out of their chimneys, no big tanker trucks rumbling up with “heating oil” emblazoned across their sides. On the roofs of many dwellings are arrays of solar panels. Elsewhere along home exteriors, the rectangular frames and circular fans of heat pumps jettison warmth inside or out, depending on the season. Within, appliances are all electric: stoves, water heaters, laundry machines all do their work without spewing noxious chemical byproducts. ¶ Globally, climate change is arrested. Several degrees of warmth have undeniably altered the planet and the human civilization that inhabits it. Tragedies unfold on every continent, some documented, many not. But humanity has bent the curve of warming, and can look forward to the future with hope instead of trepidation. ¶ Yes, this is a dream for our planet that may or may not come true. We hope that this edition of Grid, our Guide to Home Electrification, will inspire you to play your part. ¶ The year 2050 is not selected at random. That’s when many international climate scientists, including those gathered under the banner of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), say that most of the developed world will need to have almost fully transitioned away from using fossil fuels to power our daily life, and toward clean, carbonfree sources of energy. That’s if we hope to check global warming before it exceeds two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels and triggers even more catastrophic, cascading effects. ¶ Scientists say we still have a window. The next few decades must see a transition.

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IL LUSTRATIO N BY JAM ES OLSTEI N

the electrification issue

FROM THE EXPERTS Electrification advocates answer some frequently asked questions

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ounded in 2020, Rewiring America is the nation’s leading nonprofit for helping Americans electrify their homes.

Their task is a challenging one. Electrification can be a confusing endeavor, with homeowners often left on their own to figure out what to electrify first, when to do it, how to get started and what financial incentives they’re eligible for.

Fortunately, Rewiring America has built various online tools to make the process as easy as possible. In this Q&A, Rewiring America’s Cora Wyent, senior director of research; Sarah Laza-

rovic, vice president for communications; and Quentin Barber, senior product manager, walk Grid through answers to the essential questions. Responses are from a series of interviews, edited for length and clarity.

Let’s start with the elephant in the White House, President Donald Trump. Many are worried about a rollback in policies impacting home electrification. How could his presidency impact this space?

Obviously, we want market certainty. We don’t want things [like federal incentives] to get stripped away. There was a letter in August 2024, signed by 18 House Republicans, to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, saying, you know, “Keep federal clean energy tax credits because money has poured into [our states].” So we’re hoping good sense prevails. We’re trying not to speculate.

But, we look at our strategy, and nothing changes either way. It’s still, how can we help households? At the end of the day you still have to rip out your gas machines when the time comes. And we know it’s a story of affordability over time. There are upfront costs and operating costs to electrification, and whether you’re breaking even in year two or year four, you’re saving money.

Rewiring America’s website offers a personalized stepby-step guide to electrifying your home.

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Why is electrification important? One stat we really like to use is that 42% of energy-related emissions in the U.S. come from kitchen table decisions. So that’s how we heat our air, heat our water, cook our food, dry our clothes and how we get around. That’s a huge chunk of the emissions pie. So home electrification is really one of the most impactful things that an individual can do, if they have the resources and time to make the decision to upgrade.

We also like to talk about the “four C’s” of why you might go electric. The first is climate. But the second is comfort. Just the fact that so many of these technologies are better than the fossil fuel versions. An induction stove cooks food more quickly, it’s easier to clean, you get less waste heat in your kitchen. A heat pump keeps your home at a more consistent temperature.

The third C is cost. A lot of these electric appliances can actually save you money on your energy bills. An EV is a great example, where the average household would save over $1,000 a year. If you currently heat your home with fuel oil, propane or electric resistance, you can save hundreds or even thousands a year.

The fourth C is community, and that’s really that these electric appliances have benefits that go beyond your home. [Fossil fuel combustion] releases pollutants, making air quality worse for your whole community. By switching to electric there are benefits related to air quality and health, and also creating good jobs.

EXPERT PANEL

WYENT

BARBER

a heat pump. That makes it a lot more manageable and digestible. We don’t need to do this all at once.

It’s really just about being prepared and making the right decision when your current machine dies.

On our website, we have a tool called the Personal Electrification Planner. You can enter your address, enter some information about your home, and then you get a personalized list of the upgrades and a stepby-step guide to making those upgrades. You’ll get sort of an order on what you should do first, second, third. It also has estimates of what it might cost, what the savings might be, and what the emissions impact will be. We highly recommend people use that planner as a way of preparing to make the right decisions, especially when you have a device that’s close to the end of its life.

And for low-income homeowners, you might look into what financing is available to you. In a lot of cases, your local credit union or government programs might offer low interest rate financing for doing green home upgrades. So if you see bill savings year over year, they may be greater than what your loan payment would be.

How difficult is it to file paperwork to receive the incentives? On the tax credits, it’s a pretty straightforward form that when you’re filing your taxes, it just asks if you’ve gotten any energy-efficient upgrades.

When I did my taxes through TurboTax, it even LAZAROVIC prompted me; it asked me if I’d gotten any energy-efficient upgrades and then sent me to that form. It asked, what did you spend? When did you spend it?

What can be electrified in a home? When we talk In the next year or so, there will be some standards about electrification, what that means is taking anythat heat pumps have to meet to qualify for the tax thing that uses fossil fuels inside your home and switching to credits, and they’re trying to make that as simple as possible, so it’s something that runs on electricity. And as the grid gets cleaner, just a single product PIN that you would enter on your tax form. eventually all of those things that run on electricity will become For the rebates it’s going to vary state by state. zero emissions. There are five big switches that we like to talk about. There’s switching your heating and cooling to a heat pump, Any advice for renters? It’s definitely challenging for a renter to which is a machine that can do both. There is switching your waelectrify on their own. Focus on what you can control. So for exter heater to a heat pump water heater, switching your cooking to ample, getting that induction hot plate, you can basically put it an electric or induction stove, making sure your clothes dryer is on your stove and use it to cook instead of a gas stove. That has electric — which in most cases they already are — and switching the climate benefits, but also a lot of benefits for your health and your driving to an EV or e-bike, basically electrifying your means indoor air quality, because you’re not releasing really harmful gas of transportation. stove pollutants into your air. There are similar portable devices, like portable heat pumps that are a really cool technology.

Many of these electric appliances cost more than their fossil fuel You can always try talking to your landlord, too, particularly counterparts. Any advice for the cost-conscious? For people who if you know you have an appliance that’s about to go and they’re don’t have a ton of resources, the approach we like to advocate is, considering upgrading to a new one. We have a guide on our web“when it dies, electrify.” So when your current stove dies, upgrade site about how to talk to your landlord about electrification, with to an electric stove. When your AC or furnace dies, upgrade to a sample letter. ◆

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the electrification issue

IS YOUR HOUSE READY FOR ELECTRIFICATION?

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Here’s what you need to know before you go all-in on electrifying your home Make a plan!

Experts say that before homeowners start installing new electric appliances, they should evaluate some fundamentals. First, is their house properly weatherized? And second, is their electrical system properly wired?

After all, even an industry professional like Cora Wyent, the senior director of research at electrification nonprofit Rewiring America, can make mistakes. As Wyent began installing electric appliances in her California home over the past few years, contractors had to perform costly wiring work each time when, with a little planning, it could have been done all in one go.

“My electrical panel is actually embedded in a stucco wall in my house,” Wyent says. “So they had to break open the stucco to get into the crawl space. They closed it up, and a year later had to break it open again. It was a pain, and we could have saved money.”

“Philadelphia’s housing stock is particularly old, meaning many homes may be poorly insulated and leak air through gaps and cracks in the building’s envelope,” the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability (OOS) tells Grid. “So it is important to look into weatherizing your home before making investments in efficient electric appliances and HVAC systems.”

Discovering where you’re leaking the most indoor air, knowing which kind of insulation to install and where, and making sure you don’t end up causing problems like mold can all require professional expertise and testing. For these reasons, both OOS and Rewiring America recommend that homeowners consult with a weatherization professional before proceeding with any projects. In some cases, it can pay dividends at later stages of the electrification journey: when a home is properly insulated, a smaller, less expensive HVAC system may suffice to get the heating/cooling job done.

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Insulate and seal first

Perhaps the least glamorous part of the energy puzzle is getting your home insulated and sealed. Properly weatherizing your home can reduce energy use by as much as 20% without touching a single part of your electrical system, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Can your electrical system handle it?

If you are changing how you are powering your house from gas to electric, you may need to upgrade your panel, which you may know as the circuit breaker. Panels in some homes, especially older ones, only provide 100 amps of service, which is a measurement of the total amount of en-

ergy they can distribute throughout the house. Many homeowners seeking to electrify their homes upgrade to a 200-amp panel, which is already the standard in newer homes. That ensures your home will have enough capacity to run multiple heavy-duty electric appliances at once. This upgrade typically costs about $1,000 to $3,000.

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Can your wiring deliver the juice?

Installing new appliances can also require expensive wiring upgrades. Typically, larger electric appliances like heat pumps, electric ovens and dryers will need a 240-volt outlet, double the capacity of a standard wall outlet. An electrician will typically charge a few hundred dollars to install a 240-volt wire and outlet if one isn’t already available at the site of the appliance.

But, Wyent says, some homeowners might be able to avoid both expenses and, with the right appliances, rely upon using their existing 100-amp service and wiring. There are induction stoves and heat pump hot water heaters that plug into standard outlets and thus don’t draw as much power. And someone purchasing an electric car who commutes less than 30 miles a day can also likely just recharge at home using a standard extension cord and wall outlet.

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Wyent recommends using Rewiring America’s Personal Electrification Planner, a free online tool on their website that enables users to enter details about their home and personal preferences and receive a step-bystep guide, complete with cost estimates and further advice.

The IRS currently offers 25C tax credits for home wiring and weatherization projects, with a cap of $3,200 annually.

This includes ...

The Philadelphia Office of Sustainability highlights the following state and local incentives: ✹ Philadelphia operates a Basic Systems Repair Program that enables eligible homeowners to receive free emergency home repairs for damages that may lead BASIC ENERGY ASSESSMENTS to spikes in their energy bills, such as roof leaks, structural repairs to PECO visits your home exterior walls or faulty electrical and evaluates conditions. ways for you to save money, ✹ The City also administers even providing Neighborhood Energy Centers, powerstrips and lightbulbs where residents can find more resources to help with bill affordability, weatherization and emergency repairs. ✹ The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development operates a federallyfunded program to help income-qualified residents weatherize their homes. Individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can qualify for a free home energy audit and improvements to weatherize their home and improve PGW offers rebates for energy efficiency, with an home insulation and air-sealing calculated by average expenditure of more the square foot through the than $7,000. ◆ EnergySense program.

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REBATES

Where to begin

FEDERAL TAX CREDITS

Additional help

A HOME ENERGY AUDIT

UP TO $150

NEW, QUALIFIED EXTERIOR DOORS

UP TO $500

NEW, QUALIFIED WINDOWS AND SKYLIGHTS

UP TO $600

ELECTRIC UPGRADES LIKE A NEW PANEL OR CIRCUIT*

UP TO $600

INSULATION AND AIR SEALING

UP TO $1,200

*It must be connected to the installation of a qualified electric appliance

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the electrification issue

CHOOSE WISELY A great energy audit starts with the right expert BY ALEX MULCAHY

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Will the energy audit include a review of my home’s utility bills?

A comprehensive energy audit should include a review of your utility bills for the past 12 months. Reviewing utility bills helps the auditor understand your home’s energy usage patterns, seasonal variations and potential inefficiencies. It provides a baseline for measuring improvements and identifying the largest areas of energy waste.

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Does the energy audit analyze my home’s air leakage rate using a blower door test?

A blower door test is a standard diagnostic tool used to measure air leakage in the home. Air leaks can significantly increase energy costs by allowing conditioned air to escape and outdoor air to infiltrate. Measuring the air leakage rate helps pinpoint areas that need air sealing to improve energy efficiency and comfort. (PECO Energy Assessments do not pro-

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vide a blower door test. The advanced audit, Energy Assessment PLUS, does provide a blower door test but is reserved for those with electric heating and is more expensive.)

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Does the audit include a thermal evaluation of my home using an infrared camera?

An infrared camera is typically used to detect temperature variations in walls, ceilings and floors. Thermal imaging identifies areas of poor insulation, air leaks and thermal bridging that are not visible to the naked eye. This ensures that the auditor can recommend targeted solutions for energy loss.

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How does the energy audit provide recommendations? Will the auditor create a prioritized list of recommendations that aim to improve my home’s energy efficiency, comfort, health and safety?

The auditor should provide a detailed report with a prioritized list of recommendations based on potential energy savings, cost-effectiveness and improvements to comfort, health and safety. A prioritized list helps homeowners focus on the most impactful and affordable improvements first. It ensures that upgrades align with homeowner goals.

COURTESTY OF ECA

Before you begin your journey toward electrification, you need to find out where your home is losing energy. A skilled energy auditor doesn’t just inspect — they diagnose, prioritize and recommend solutions tailored to your home’s unique needs. Selecting the right person can make all the difference. Ask these questions to help determine whether a prospective auditor has the right stuff.

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Does the list of recommendations include estimated costs and quantified benefits for each item?

The report should include estimated costs, expected energy savings and potential payback periods for each recommendation. Providing cost estimates and benefits allows homeowners to make informed decisions and plan for investments. Quantified benefits, such as reduced utility bills, provide transparency and help justify the upfront costs of improvements.

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What improvements and opportunities will be included under the recommendations?

Recommendations should cover a range of opportunities, including air sealing, insulation, HVAC upgrades, lighting improvements, renewable energy options (like solar) and addressing health and safety concerns (e.g., carbon monoxide risks, mold). Comprehensive recommendations address both energy efficiency and overall home performance.

For example, improving indoor air quality and ensuring safety are critical for long-term health and comfort, in addition to lowering energy bills.

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Does the auditor hold any unique qualifications such as Building Performance Institute (BPI) certifications?

Reputable auditors often hold certifications such as BPI, RESNET HERS Rater or state licenses for energy auditing. Credentials ensure that the auditor is trained and qualified to assess home performance accurately and recommend appropriate upgrades. Certified professionals follow industry standards, giving homeowners confidence in the audit’s quality and recommendations. ◆

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the electrification issue

Common appliances to electrify

Purchasing smaller electric appliances, like a leaf blower or hot plate, is a good way to try out newer technologies, especially on a budget

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few years ago, Cora Wyent, senior director of research at electrification nonprofit Rewiring America, and her partner were weighing the purchase of an induction oven to replace the old gas model in their kitchen. Induction ovens run off electricity and, thanks to some fascinating engineering, boast such perks as cooking elements that not only heat up super fast but also are instantly cool to the touch once the appliance is turned off.

Many home chefs swear by gas for cooking (a common cultural preference that actually has roots in fossil fuel ad campaigns), however, and induction ovens are more expensive on average than gas models and also require compatible cookware.

So, Wyent started by purchasing an induction hot plate. These often cost less than $100 and can be used to cook whatever you would on a single burner. After using the hot plate for about a year, Wyent felt ready to upgrade to a full-scale induction oven.

“It’s a great way of just trying out the technology and making sure you’re comfortable with it, that you like it, before going with a big appliance purchase,” Wyent says of her hot plate trial.

It’s also a great strategy for renters, who often don’t have a say in the purchases of major appliances for their unit (although Rewiring America also has a free guide for talking to landlords about electrification). Smaller appliances are also helpful for those on a budget, as the installation of big-ticket appliances may require upgrades to a home’s electrical system.

Another perk of buying smaller electric appliances is that the barrier to entry is far lower. ▶ Small appliances can be picked up via online The Cuisinart retailers and local home improvement stores.

Digital Wyent has also purchased — at a lower-than-reGooseneck Kettle is tail cost on Facebook Marketplace — an electric $99.95, and lawn mower and leaf blower with interchangecan help reduce the able batteries. daily use “We love them,” she says. “All of these electric of your gas appliances are just a much better experience.” range.

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✹ Portable heat pump: These units typically sit on the floor and vent through an adjacent window. They work like standard window air conditioning units but can also provide heat and are energy efficient. At a typical price of $500 to $700, according to Canary Media, they’re a good option for renters or the budget conscious. ✹ Plug-in space heaters and electric blankets: A nobrainer of a low-budget option, these products allow those who can’t afford a full home HVAC system powered by a heat pump to heat a room or keep warm at night without dialing up the thermostat on a gaspowered furnace. ✹ Electric ovens, teapots and induction hot plates: Use these smaller appliances, which typically cost no more than a few hundred dollars and often far less, to dramatically reduce your usage of gas-powered alternatives in the kitchen. ✹ Landscaping equipment: Yes, there are electric versions of just about everything: leaf blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, snowblowers and even snowmobiles. Electric models typically cost more than their gas-powered cousins, but Consumer Reports has found that, after factoring in fuel and maintenance costs, they have a higher return on investment over five years. ◆

COURTESY OF CUISINART

STARTING SMALL

Looking to quickly electrify your home and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions? Here’s a short list of common smaller appliances that can help. Experts recommend trying to find models that are Energy Star certified — a federal accreditation for energy-efficient appliances. And, as always, comparing prices and reviews is advisable.

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the electrification issue

Copper’s Charlie induction stove is compatible with a standard 120V outlet.

THE BIG FOUR

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am calisch has electrification bona fides.

There’s the MIT engineering degree, the years spent in a lab tinkering with electromagnetic devices and his time on Capitol Hill as a scientist-turned-advocate, successfully campaigning for the inclusion of historic climate measures in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. So why is his new gig all about the humble kitchen stove? Because, Calisch says, he sees an opportunity in the home appliance sector to make a direct, tangible impact in arresting climate change.

“About five years ago I had a realization that the [climate] technology we have is already pretty awesome,” Calisch, a resident of the San Francisco Bay area, says. “What we really need are tools for deploying it.”

So in 2022, Calisch founded Copper, a company that makes a battery-powered induction stove, which is a technology that

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uses electromagnetism to heat up its elements, instead of the combustion of fossil fuels. Climate experts say it’s essential to make such electric-powered home appliances the norm over the next several decades, with homeowners swapping them in as their old gas-powered models break down. In most homes, there are a “big four” of appliances that must be converted: the kitchen stove, the water heater, the clothes dryer and the HVAC system.

Conversion to these technologies comes with significant benefits, of which reducing greenhouse gas emissions is only one.

Owners will also experience improved indoor air quality; recent studies have found that gas stoves release levels of benzene, a carcinogen, comparable to those found in secondhand smoke.

Electric models also often provide a better user experience, advocates say, offering quieter operation, more precise temperature control and safety features. Induction stove heating elements, for example, are immediately cool to the touch after use. And let’s

COURTESTY OF COPPER

To address climate change, gas-powered stoves, water heaters, dryers and HVAC systems must go

not forget the promise of lower energy bills.

There are also, however, serious challenges to implementation. One is cost. Some of these appliances, depending on the model, are more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts even after factoring in lower energy bills — although the gap is narrowing and financial incentives can help. For example, for most homes in Philadelphia, installing a heat pump and minisplits for HVAC would cost between $20,000 and $30,000, a steep price compared to the $5,000 it typically costs to replace a gas boiler, furnace or AC unit. The IRS offers a $2,000 tax credit for heat pump installation, however, and an $8,000 rebate is expected to come online next year, making the system’s price comparable.

A second challenge is logistics, as some electric products can be more difficult to find than their gas-powered counterparts.

For example, most people buy a water heater after their old one fails and they find themselves without hot water. The average contractor may only carry gas-powered models on their truck, leaving unprepared homeowners locked into a new gas model for its decade-plus lifespan.

The third challenge involves the necessary prep. Installing these technologies often requires upgrading a home’s electrical panel and wiring in order to provide enough power, groundwork that often runs into the thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, there are solutions to each of these problems.

Do you really need a new panel?

Calisch has a philosophy that is gaining some steam among electrification advocates: maybe going fully electric doesn’t necessarily require expensive upfront wiring work.

Copper’s first induction stove model, called Charlie, works on a standard 120V outlet by slowly sipping energy to fill up its internal battery, which it can then draw upon when it’s time to cook.

Calisch points out that similar options exist for the other major appliances: companies also now make 120V plug-in heat pump hot water heaters, an energy-efficient technology that can draw heat from ambient air. And, barring a long daily commute, most drivers of electric vehicles can probably use a standard outlet.

Heat pumps for HVACs and dryers are harder to work around, as 120V models exist but are much smaller in capacity. Still, Calisch believes that just about every homeowner can make it work through wise energy management, such as by not running multiple 240V appliances simultaneously, leaving enough electricity for the rest of the house. There are even switching devices that can help, say by automatically turning off a vehicle charger while the dryer runs. In fact, Calisch says, figuring out how to electrify on 100 amps might be essential, given that it’s the standard amperage for any home built before the 1980s.

“We can’t all do that [upgrade],” Calisch says. “If we all get 200 amps, we’re going to fall down in building out the grid. Staying on the existing service has a ton of benefits.”

Taking advantage of financial incentives Buying electric appliances can be expensive. Induction ranges available at big box retailers start at about $1,200, double the cost of the cheapest gas ranges. And the cost of middle- to high-end induction models can run into the multiple thousands of dollars.

Copper’s Charlie range retails for $6,000.

But as is the case for many other technologies, there are incentives. Both HVAC heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters are currently eligible for an IRS 25C tax credit, which will provide eligible taxpayers with a 30% savings back on the sale price, up to $2,000. For clothes dryers, there are currently no federal incentives, but PECO offers a $75 rebate for heat pump–powered models, along with various smaller rebates for energy-efficient appliances. And when Pennsylvania launches a federal rebate program in 2025, the savings will improve: up to $8,000 for a heat pump-powered HVAC system, $840 for a heat pump clothes dryer, and $840 for an electric stove, plus $2,500 for wiring.

Due to its internal battery, however, the Charlie model is eligible for a 30% federal tax credit for home battery storage, knocking the price down for eligible customers to about $4,200. When factoring in that the unit can allow many homeowners to forgo thousands of dollars in electrical system upgrades, it becomes cost competitive with 240V induction stoves.

Where to begin It’s hard to keep track of all the technologies, options and financial incentives for home electrification. To help, Rewiring America created a Personal Electrification Planner, which allows users to input their home zip code, income level and personal preferences and receive a plan: what to do first, how to do it and what financial incentives they’re eligible for. The planner also gives homeowners an estimate of return on investment and transparently displays when an upgrade might not actually make sense financially. The free online tool is available at homes.rewiringamerica.org.

A general rule, experts say, is to have a plan detailing which electric model you want to buy once your existing gas appliance breaks down and who will install it for you. That’s particularly important for HVAC and water heating systems, as it may take some time and research to find a local contractor who carries, installs and services electric models.

Heat pump installations can take some additional planning. At the moment, the technology typically works by installing a heat pump unit somewhere outdoors that can heat or cool the house depending on the season. For homes without existing air ducts, ductless mini-splits are typically installed in several rooms, with the size of the outdoor unit and number of mini-splits dependent on the size of the house. For homes with existing ductwork, switching to a heat pump is usually simpler because existing ducts are repurposed.

If your house is currently heated by a water boiler that forces hot water through radiators or similar equipment, you’d likely abandon the system. “Air-to-water” heat pump systems exist, but are a niche technology. ◆

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the electrification issue

◀ Switching from a car to an electric bike is a way to significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

ELECTRIFIED RIDE Looking for a surefire way to cut down on your household’s greenhouse gas emissions?

Electric cars and e-bikes are a plug-and-play option

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combustion engine. Lower fuel and maintenance costs mean EVs typically have a lower cost of ownership, although where you live is a factor, and lower-cost hybrids can be very economical.

Your second option is to choose from the world of micromobility, which includes electric bikes, scooters and even one-wheeled “hoverboards.” These start for as low as about $600 for basic low-mileage commuter models and go up to about $6,000 for “car replacement” e-bikes that can haul groceries, children and even additional adults. But even these expensive models can still be viewed as an affordable option, Boyle says.

“Compared to the cost of an electric vehicle or even a [gas-powered] car, that’s a bargain,” Boyle says.

Of course, Philadelphians have the benefit of a third option, public transportation. SEPTA’s most expensive option, a go-anywhere TrailPass good for about eight trips a day on any service, currently costs $204 a month, and less if you commute within the city. SEPTA doesn’t go everywhere, but as Boyle can attest, pairing it with a foldable e-bike — his retails new for about $800 — can cover a lot of ground.

So you want to buy a car?

Good news if you decide you want to buy a car: They may not be as expensive as you think. Federal incentives, the introduction of cheaper models, and a maturation of the used EV marketplace have all contributed to a significant price reduction over the past few years.

J E S S I C A PAU L / B L I X

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everal times a week, John Boyle, research director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, rides the power of electricity to work. A resident of Edgewater Park, New Jersey, Boyle rides a foldable e-bike to the Beverly Rail Station, which he takes aboard NJ Transit’s River Line to Camden. If the weather is nice, he’ll then bike across the Ben Franklin Bridge to the coalition’s Center City offices. If not, he crosses the Delaware on the PATCO Speedline instead.

Either way, the commute is timely, convenient and a blueprint for how electrified transportation can drive down greenhouse gas emissions.

In the United States, 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions comes from transportation, the most of any sector, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And it’s not just big rigs and airplanes: 57% of transportation emissions come from everyday light-duty vehicles like the family car, while less than a quarter comes from heavy road vehicles like 18-wheelers.

Over the past 15 years, Philadelphia’s transportation emissions have actually increased. If you drive, you can help turn that trend around by switching to an electrified ride.

There are two primary categories of electrified personal transportation. One is the electric car. If you can look past the occasional erratic CEO, experts say these vehicles have obvious climate benefits. Yes, much of the energy grid is still powered by fossil fuels, but renewables are in the mix and gaining, and power plants are more efficient at energy generation than a car’s internal

Federal incentives are a bit tricky. Technically, a consumer can get a $7,500 tax credit for purchasing a qualified new electric vehicle and $4,000 for a used model. But eligibility depends upon carmaker and model, and a buyer must fill out IRS form 8936 with their tax returns to get the money back.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers a comprehensive look at EVs on their website. There you can learn that, after incentives, a new Nissan LEAF S starts at under $29,000, which has a 149-mile range. But, there are also currently 20 models of new EVs with ranges of at least 200 miles that can be had for under $35,000.

Used cars are cheaper, naturally: as low as $13,000 for a 2017-2021 Chevrolet Bolt, and under $20,000 for a larger, crossover model such as a Ford Mustang Mach-E or Volkswagen ID.4.

But what about a home charger? Experts say if you drive less than about 35 miles a day, you might be wise to go with a level 1 charger. These often come with a car, can be plugged into a standard 120V wall outlet, and can add about that much mileage plugged in overnight.

A level 2 charger can typically fully charge an electric vehicle overnight, but comes with its own costs. Tony Fusco, electrical and construction manager for Levittown-based home improvement company McClain Bros., regularly installs chargers in the city and suburbs. He says installing a level 2 charger starts at about $500 for a simple job, such as putting one in a garage where an electric panel is already located.

But prices increase the further the panel is from the charger.

The most complicated jobs, which require running an underground wire dozens of yards to a post near the curb (and thus digging up the yard), can run into the several thousands of dollars.

And, your panel might also require an upgrade to 200-amp service in order to provide enough energy, which can cost a few thousand more, even after a federal 45C tax credit good for up to $600.

In Philadelphia, a permit is also required to install a level 2 charger. The city’s Department of Licenses & Inspections did not respond to several questions from Grid by deadline, but did note the city has established an EZ Permit for residential electric vehicle chargers.

Bionic power For those who don’t have long or complicated commutes, e-bikes can be a great alternative to the car.

Drew Christy, store manager for the Manayunk location of Trek Bicycles, says he sees a variety of different types of customers.

Some are white collar commuters who want an e-bike to get to work without breaking a sweat, then lower the electric assist on the way home to sneak in a workout. Others are parents who want the car replacement experience, and some are recreational enthusiasts who just want to be able to take longer rides.

“It goes across all populations. It can be a useful tool for most people,” Christy says.

Locally, customers can choose to purchase e-bikes at a physical store like Trek, REI, Bikesmith or Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles, since they can also provide repairs or services.

Boyle, with the Bicycle Coalition, says his experience is that more bicycle shops in recent years have started to offer repair services for many varieties of e-bikes. Some larger direct-to-consumer companies partner with local shops, such as Rad Power bikes (5 locations in Philadelphia) and Lectric (3 locations).

Theft a concern? Consider a few options Unfortunately in Philadelphia, bike theft remains an issue. Options come down to personal comfort. Christy says he wouldn’t lock up any e-bike for any extended period of time that he wasn’t prepared to lose. Boyle shares those concerns, but says a high-quality lock that can resist power tools can help, such as a Litelok or Hiplok, which both cost several hundred dollars.

Boyle also pays about $10 a month for e-bike insurance through Oyster for extra peace of mind, and can carry his foldable, 45-pound e-bike with him most places he goes (including trains).

For those who don’t want to deal with all the hassle and live within its service area, Boyle suggests looking into Indego, the city’s only bike share program. For $20 a month, users can currently get two 30-minute e-bike rides per day, and pay $0.20 for every extra minute. For Pennsylvania ACCESS card holders, rates drop to just $8.33 a month. ◆

JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HI L LY.COM 25

the electrification issue

RAY OF LIGHT ome solar isn’t essential to home electrification, but for those with the financial means, it offers environmental and budgetary benefits, says Cora Wyent, senior director of research at the electrification nonprofit Rewiring America.

“We’re trying to switch our whole grid to renewable electricity, and anywhere we can convert to solar is good,” Wyent says.

“You’re basically getting free electricity from your roof.”

Really, though, free?

According to Alon Abramson, vice president of residential programs for the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), solar panels are indeed products that quite often pay for themselves — at least on a long enough timeline.

In Abramson’s experience, the finances “pencil out” for the majority of homeowners, even those with low incomes. The hefty

26 GRID PH IL LY.CO M JA NUA RY 20 25

up-front costs of solar panels (an average of $23,000 to $33,000 in Pennsylvania, depending on tax incentives, according to EnergySage) are typically recovered by the 15-year mark, and solar panels should last about 25 years. For those who can’t afford to pay up front, providers have loan and lease options that still provide a return on investment, Abramson says.

Established by the Nutter administration in 2010, the PEA is a quasi-City agency with a large portfolio of “energy affordability and sustainability” programs. One of those is Solarize Philly, which connects Philadelphians interested in home solar to a number of solar panel installation companies. According to Abramson, the providers have been vetted by the City, including a review of the quality of their work and price rubrics to ensure they’re within industry norms.

“We know these are legitimate enterprises and not just fly-bynight,” Abramson says.

C O U R T E S Y O F P E A ( I N S TA L L E D BY S O L A R S TAT E S )

H

A roof solar array is within reach for many Philadelphians, thanks to the federal tax credit

◀ A home solar array is a significant investment, but the uncapped 30% federal tax credit can save a bundle.

of this credit would prove detrimental to those interested in rooftop solar, it wouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker. The investment would likely still be worth it for many, although the overall savings would be less.

Check your roof first Abramson says it’s important for homeowners to consider the age of their roof before solar panels are installed because it is costly to disassemble a solar array if the roof beneath needs to be replaced.

Those with a roof installed in the last five years are probably good to go, and those who know they’ll need a new roof within the next five to 10 years would be wise to wait to install solar. For everyone in between, or those who aren’t sure, a trustworthy roofer or solar installer should be able to assess the condition of the roof and help make a determination.

Federal tax credits

Not yet a solution for all

C O U R T E S Y O F S O L A R S TAT E S

Unfortunately, anyone who receives public assistance to help pay for their energy bills probably wouldn’t benefit from rooftop solar because financing the panels would add to overall monthly costs. Renters would understandably be disinclined to make a huge capital investment in real estate they don’t own, especially if they don’t pay their electric bill.

From an environmental standpoint, it is concerning that Abramson says his agency is actively discouraging some rental property owners from installing rooftop solar. The reason?

Switching electric bills from tenant- to landlord-paid could result in some tenants losing public assistance and actually paying more per month for energy.

The threat to solar from Trump Perhaps the biggest looming question is the potential elimination of federal tax incentives under the Trump administration. Presently, the IRS offers a 25D rooftop solar tax credit, which allows an uncapped 30% tax credit for solar installation, saving the typical homeowner about $10,000. Abramson says that while elimination

The IRS offers tax incentives for home solar installation through the 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit. It offers the credit for homeowners who install solar panels through 2032. Homeowners cannot, however, receive a credit greater than the amount of their owed income tax: a homeowner who is eligible for $10,000 in solar tax credits but only owes $5,000 in income taxes can only receive $5,000 in credits.

The 25D credits can also be used to cover the costs for battery storage technologies, geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters. In order to obtain the credits, homeowners must file an IRS Form 5695 with their returns.

Solar renewable energy credits In many states across the country, energy companies and grid operators pay a credit to solar producers as part of climate-mitigation efforts, known as the Solar Renewable Energy Credit. In Pennsylvania, homeowners with solar are eligible to receive $35.50 for every 1,000 kWh of energy their solar system produces as of December 2024, according to EnergySage. Such credits can add up to hundreds of dollars a year, a significant part of a homeowner’s return on investment.

For a time, the PEA offered solar rebates. The program is currently unfunded and thus not active, but applications are still being accepted in case funding resumes. See phila.gov/programs/ solar-rebate-program. ◆ To get started, visit solarizephilly.org, fill out an interest form and attach an energy bill. The program will connect you to a provider to begin the quote process.

JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HI L LY.COM 27

the electrification issue

RIGHT BACK AT YOU State and local rebates and assistance for home improvements abound

W

hile the federal inflation reduction act currently provides homeowners thousands of dollars of electrification incentives through tax credits, that is only one piece of a larger savings puzzle.

The next biggest piece are federal rebates established under the IRA. Unlike the tax credits, which require homeowners to have enough taxable income in order to benefit, rebates return money directly for all eligible electric appliance purchases.

The catch is that federal funding must flow through state programs, and states are on varying timelines to make funding available.

According to Stephanie Berardi, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the state will go live with its Home Electrification and Appliances Rebate (HEAR) program in spring 2025. The program will apply to Energy Star-certified appliances such as heat pumps and electric stoves, wiring and weatherization measures. Exact rebate amounts will vary depending on household income and other variables, but will offer up to $8,000 for heat pump-powered HVAC systems (compared to only $2,000 currently available through tax credits), up to $6,500 for electrical system upgrades, $1,750 for heat pump hot water heaters and $840 for electric stoves.

Berardi says rebate instructions will be available on the DEP’s website once the program goes live. There will not be an annual limit on rebates, which will be honored for all eligible purchases until an estimated $100 million in funds is exhausted. Homeowners can expect to receive a rebate within about two months of submitting an application, Berardi says.

Local programs and rebates Nidhi Krishen, deputy director for climate solutions for the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, says Philadelphians should also be aware of the following local incentives and programs that support home electrification and weatherization.

UTILITY REBATES

✹ PECO offers rebates of up to several hundred dollars for electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and other efficient appliances. ✹ PGW also offers rebates for gas customers who add

28 GRI D PH IL LY.CO M JA NUA RY 2025

roof insulation, with and without air sealing, as well as tankless water heaters.

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development operates a federally funded program to help income-qualified residents weatherize their homes. Individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level can qualify for a free home energy audit and improvements to weatherize their home and improve energy efficiency, with an average expenditure of more than $7,000.

BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS

✹ Tax deductions are also expanded under the IRA for new and retrofitted commercial buildings achieving a minimum 25% energy/cost savings. Deductions range from $0.50 per square foot to $5 per square foot, depending on total savings and bonuses for meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship criteria.

Commercial property owners can also reach out to the Philadelphia Energy Authority’s C-PACE program, which can provide financing to help commercial property owners pay for energy efficiency, water conservation, clean energy, indoor air quality and resiliency projects. ✹ For entities that do not owe income taxes, the IRS’s Elective Pay now allows eligible nonprofits to receive a cash payment from the IRS for eligible clean energy investments equal to the full value of clean energy tax credits. These tax credits can also be combined with most Department of Energy grants and loans. ✹ PECO offers a Direct Install program for small businesses, which provides free on-site energy analysis, the installation of energy-saving items and increased savings on upgrades including interior and exterior lighting, refrigeration and hot water measures. To participate, businesses can fill out an interest form on PECO’s website or reach out directly to one of the Program Providers. ◆

COMMON SENSE PGW has several programs to save money and increase efficiency, no matter your budget

K E L L E Y O H / I S TO C K P H OTO

T

BY ALEX MULCAHY

he dream is to electrify everything, and to do it now. The reality is that Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) serves 500,000 households, and shifting from one energy source to another is going to take time.

So for those of us who can’t yet leave gas behind, PGW has EnergySense, a program designed to help customers manage energy use, save money and adopt more energy-efficient technologies. The program offers rebates on purchases of new appliances that meet energy efficiency standards and provides low-cost, easy-to-adopt solutions for residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Steve Jerue, PGW’s interim director of customer programs, says that the $90 rebate on programmable thermostats has been a very

popular choice. That rebate is available to all PGW customers and includes thermostats by Honeywell and Google Nest — some of which cost $99. The Amazon Smart Programmable Thermostat with Alexa has the lowest price — $79.99 — and when Jerue ordered that model using a test account, he said that, after taxes and shipping, the customer would pay only $4.80.

In January 2025, PGW will be launching their EnergySense Kit, a free kit to help customers tackle some basic DIY projects. Jerue says the kits will include caulk, faucet aerators, showerheads and more. These projects should help lower energy bills by reducing water flow and, subsequently, hot water usage.

Jerue understands that people usually buy heating equipment like boilers and furnaces when something breaks. When you need to upgrade your heating system, if you elect to continue using gas, there are rebates for heating equipment — but there’s a 95% efficiency threshold.

“We want to help you choose the most efficient model,” says Jerue. “So our incentive helps to bridge that gap between what the standard efficiency model is, which is usually 80% efficiency, and the high-efficiency model of 95%, which is our requirement.”

Residential equipment rebates of up to $1,400 per piece of equipment are available for eligible homeowners. The rebates bump up to $2,000 per piece for people with low incomes who qualify for the Affordable EnergySense program.

PGW also recently launched an EnergySense program offering rebates for installing insulation and air sealing. The rebates are based on the square footage of the home (65 cents per square foot, and 95 cents per square foot if you meet Affordable EnergySense requirements) and the insulation must have certain “R-values,” a term used to measure the thickness of the insulation. PGW offers slightly lower rebates if you get the insulation without the air sealing, but they strongly encourage having the air sealing done.

“We would rather you air seal because that’s going to make the insulation much more effective,” says Jerue.

PGW hopes to build a network of vetted contractors just as the Philadelphia Energy Authority has with solar installers participating in their Solarize Philly program. Right now, PGW requires that contractors be certified by the Building Performance Institute.

Another program that is noteworthy for PGW customers is the Parts and Labor Plan, according to Dan Gross, director of external communications and media relations. It’s an annual subscription service offering repair coverage for heating appliances like boilers, heaters and dryers. You can choose to cover appliances piecemeal (protecting a water heater costs $39 per year; a gas clothes dryer, $118) or in package deals (house heater and water heater for $140 annually). It functions as a form of insurance to ensure uninterrupted heating for customers. “When you wake up and your heat’s not working, now you can call PGW and someone will come out.”

While climate change makes pursuing an emissions-free energy supply an imperative, anything we can do to reduce emissions in the meantime is welcome. EnergySense offers a way for consumers not ready for electrification to do just that. ◆

JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HI L LY.COM 29

the electrification issue

POWER UP n 2020, members of POWER Interfaith, a grassroots social justice organization with a mission to “shine a light on broken systems,” organized to push PECO, Pennsylvania’s largest electric and gas utility, to incorporate long-term contracts for renewable energy into its Default Service Program (DSP).

The DSP is essentially the company’s “house special,” and about 75% of the utility’s approximately 1.6 million customers opt for it. PECO’s DSPs have always heavily relied on a mix of fossil fuels purchased with short-term contracts; only 0.5% of the plan has been solar purchased through credits, which aligns with the state’s required minimum.

That small percentage, POWER activists had decided, was not enough.

And so representatives from the group attended PECO’s virtual public hearing with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), where the DSP energy mix for the next four years would be determined.

“The PUC said, ‘Well, POWER, what’s your plan?’” remembers POWER volunteer Peter Furcht, who was in attendance.

The advocates weren’t prepared with a fleshed out proposal but resolved that, when the 2024 hearing rolled around, they would be.

“We learned a lot about the PUC, what they regulate and how they’re involved,” says Wendy Greenspan, another POWER volunteer involved with this action. “Rabbi Julie Greenberg, the climate justice director of POWER, connected us with Devin McDougall, a lawyer with Earthjustice, who brought legal representation free of charge and great strategizing and advice as to how to move the needle.”

With this legal counsel, POWER helped to form the Energy Justice Advocates consortium along with ​​the Sierra Club, Vote Solar, Physicians for Social Responsibility ▶ Pennsylvania, Clean Air Council and Penn­ Right: POWER Interfaith member Environment.

Nancy Sleator In June 2023 on the steps of Philadelphia speaks in favor of renewable City Hall, the group kicked off a campaign energy at the called “The People’s Energy Plan for PECO” Pennsylvania to raise public awareness about their efforts Public Utility Commission to get PECO to reduce its dependence on foshearing. Opposite: sil fuels (attendees danced to “The Electric Former POWER executive director Slide”). With the help of their Earthjustice Bishop Dwayne counsel, the group began mobilizing supRoyster addresses a rally calling on porters to champion change at the 2024 DSP PECO to increase hearing. its renewable For years, other activist groups, like ​​Earth energy share.

30 GR ID PH IL LY.CO M JA NUA RY 2025

Quaker Action Team (EQAT), have been pressuring PECO to plan a transition away from fossil fuels without eliciting much response.

So, when PECO’s DSP hearings took place in November 2024, the Energy Justice Advocates showed up strong.

“This time, we went into the meetings with a service plan, and organized to get people there to advocate for clean, renewable, affordable power in the default service plan,” says POWER volunteer Mitch Chanin.

“We had 175 people, including clergy, elected officials and people from other organizations, to show up to two hearings. The PUC administrative judges were committed to making sure every voice was heard — that was really exciting,” Greenspan says.

“Eighty regular people testified in favor of PECO engaging in long-term solar contracts, and expert witnesses showed PECO that, if they’d engaged with long-term solar contracts over the last DSP cycle, they could have saved $80 million,” adds Furcht.

One expert witness was Karl R. Rábago, the owner of an energy company in Colorado. He has 33 years of experience in the utility industry; his résumé includes positions such as commissioner with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, deputy assistant secretary with the U.S. Department of Energy and executive director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center.

In his testimony, Rábago noted: “PECO’s proposed DSP approach is designed to secure the lowest-priced generation supply over the short term … and fails to make necessary progress on addressing the impacts of climate change. PECO’s DSP proposal fails to con-

PETER HANDLER

I

A coalition of activists and advocates nudges PECO toward purchasing more renewable energy BY EMILY KOVACH

TA R A FA I K

sider the economic, environmental and social benefits of generation supply from zero-emission renewables procured through long-term contracts.” One of his recommendations to the PUC was for the next DSP to “develop a solicitation process aimed at securing 7% of its required DSP generation supply from zero-emission renewables under long-term purchased power agreements.”

The result of the hearing was that PECO refiled its DSP to include not 7% but 1% of the energy mix coming from solar. But, instead of buying solar credits with energy produced out of state, as PECO has done in the past, the utility agreed to put out a bid for a Pennsylvania-based entity to construct a 25-megawatt solar farm, which will be the largest utility solar project ever to be built to serve default service customers in the commonwealth’s history.

PECO also agreed to subsequently buy energy from that solar farm via a 10-year contract. Energy Justice Advocates negotiated for the opportunity to provide comments on the power purchase agreement that PECO will use for the solicitation.

A 25-megawatt solar farm produces enough energy to power about 3,000 homes, a tiny percentage of PECO’s DSP customer base. And 1% is just a slight increase over the 0.5% of renewable energy already in the default plan mix. When asked why the increase was so nominal, PECO’s senior communications specialist, Brian Ahrens, points to minimizing risk for customers.

“When we’re devising our portfolio, we take a lot of factors into

account and have to make sure that we’re not taking on undue risk for our customers,” he says. “We’re essentially looking to purchase energy from a facility that hasn’t been built yet, and we have to ensure that we’re buying enough capacity to meet the needs of our customers at all times.”

Ahrens also points out that PECO’s new DSP, which will cover the period from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2029, includes other customer protections, such as price comparison tools and the elimination of cancellation fees for customers who want to switch from alternative energy suppliers to PECO. Greenspan notes that, while she’d hoped for more, PECO’s concerns about the risk of long-term contracts and investing in renewables are understandable.

“This is new for PECO; they’ve never done this before. While it makes sense to start small, we’d like to see a bigger ‘start small,’” she says.

For now, POWER and the Energy Justice Advocates view this as a victory worth celebrating, but certainly not the end of the story.

“This created a precedent: PECO said they couldn’t and wouldn’t adopt solar into the DSP, but they did. It’s not much, but it creates a foundation for the future,” says Chanin. “Our next step is continuing to push for a larger percentage.”

As Greenspan succinctly puts it: “We’ll be back again in four years.” ◆

JAN UARY 20 25 G R I DP HI L LY.COM 31

Public Transit CO N T I N U ED F R O M PAG E 11

they often miss out on the morning routines necessary for a successful day or, in middle and upper school, they miss out on the activities happening within their advisory group,” he said.

SEPTA’s director of media relations, Andrew Busch, told Grid in an email that the transit authority and the School District of Philadelphia regularly “work in close coordination on student transportation needs.”

“School locations, along with start and dismissal times, are major factors in our scheduling and routing for buses,” he said.

“If SEPTA has to go forward with service cuts due to the funding crisis that is projected to leave us with an annual operating budget deficit of nearly a quarter-billion dollars, … we will continue working closely with the school district to do all we can to minimize these impacts.”

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The Route 21 bus connects Penn’s Landing to the 69th Street Transit Center via Chestnut and Walnut streets through University City and West Philly, and SEPTA ranked it within the top 20 of 89 city routes for daily ridership across all modes in 2023. So Burroughs is confident that while bus frequency could decrease and impact his morning routine, he’s in no danger of losing his route.

But countless other parents may have reasonable cause to worry and need to make a new plan to get their kids to school. For Otto, that means taking the car.

“We would like to rely on [SEPTA] more, be less of a part of traffic in the city, especially in a city where limiting traffic … [would be] better for everyone involved,” she says.

“But when we can’t depend on SEPTA, we can’t make that choice.” ◆

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Turning a passion for the environment into a career Riya Choudhury (MES ’24) was training to be a chemical engineer when she took her first environmental elective. “I found studying the environment really interesting and something I was passionate about for the first time. It had a purpose, and it could be a career for me,” she shares.

“So, I decided that I wanted my master’s in environmental sustainability.”

Riya Choudhury, MES ‘24 Project and Market Research Associate, The Catalyst Group

Virtual Drop-in Hour Join the MES program team from 12-1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for an online chat about your interests and goals.

Log in with us.

Drawn to the Penn Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program’s flexible curriculum and faculty research, Riya traveled to the US from her home in India and jumped in with both feet. “I tried to explore and see what I liked and where I fit in,” she says. Riya spread her coursework across environmental law, policy, finance, and climate technology. Her extracurriculars included two professional internships, a leadership role with student government, the vice presidency of the student club Penn Sustainability Consulting, and a Climate Leaders @ Penn Fellowship, plus additional climate and human rights volunteering off campus.

After graduation, Riya launched a career in sustainable finance, first with the catalytic capital and climate finance nonprofit Prime Coalition, and now with The Catalyst Group. “Steering capital towards climate investments is super important to reducing emissions,” she explains. “As a project and market research associate at The Catalyst Group, I specialize in conducting market research and analysis to support energy transition and decarbonization strategies and projects,” she shares. Long term, Riya plans on staying in corporate sustainability and sustainable finance, where she can continue to drive climate action with a big impact.

To learn more about Riya’s experience, visit:

www.facebook.com/UPennEES @Penn_MES_MSAG

www.upenn.edu/grid