Climate Change

No one is going quietly as the change in administration looms. In the latest, though probably not the last, final maneuver, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing to block Biden’s effort to ban gas-powered water heaters.

Paxton says it's part of [Biden's] "radical environmental agenda that hurts consumers." Paxton and a multi-state coalition of Attorneys General are challenging the regulation imposed by Biden’s Department of Energy.

On December 26, 2024, the Biden Administration promulgated a final rule that would ban the sale of non-condensing instantaneous natural gas water heaters. Paxton's suit says the rule disproportionally affects seniors and low-income households by limiting market options and forcing consumers to use products that require more energy to perform the same task.

“It makes no sense to ban better performing instantaneous water heaters in the name of ‘green energy’ and force consumers to purchase more expensive and less efficient models. Beyond being ridiculous, it is an unlawful abuse of power,” said Paxton. “Until the final second of Biden’s tenure in Washington, I will defend Texas from the chronic lawlessness of his Administration.”

Environmental groups, including the Natioanl Resources Defense Council (NRDC), say the attacks on the rule are misguided.

"This is a senseless attack on a rule that is good for business and good for the climate,” said Joe Vukovich, staff attorney at NRDC. “The commercial water heater standard promises savings of $149 million per year in operating costs for businesses and will prevent 38 million metric tons of climate-warming carbon emissions over 30 years. We can’t afford to delay this overdue update for water heaters any longer.” 

Paxton joined the multistate coalition led by Georgia, Kansas, and Tennessee to stop the rule from taking effect. In addition to Attorneys General from across the country, the National Propane Gas Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, and the Rinnai Corporation joined the lawsuit.

A phase-out, not a ban

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has not outright "banned" gas water heaters, but it has implemented new energy efficiency standards that may make it more difficult for certain older or less efficient models to be sold.

These new standards aim to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging the adoption of more energy-efficient technologies like heat pump water heaters and electric water heaters.

While the DOE has not banned gas water heaters, these new standards are part of a broader trend toward promoting cleaner, more energy-efficient alternatives. The DOE's decision aligns with the broader goals of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy efficiency, with an emphasis on reducing emissions and helping the U.S. meet climate goals.

Gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat water, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Environmental groups say that contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Other advantages of electric water heaters cited by the environmental groups include: 

• Energy Efficiency: While gas water heaters are generally more energy-efficient than electric ones, they still waste some energy. A significant amount of energy is lost in the combustion process, and heat is often lost from the tank itself.

• Health and Safety Concerns: Gas water heaters rely on combustion, which can lead to dangerous issues like gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, and the risk of explosions if the system is not maintained properly. Inadequate ventilation can cause the buildup of harmful gases inside the home.

Considering these issues, many people are opting for alternatives like electric water heaters, solar water heaters, or heat pump water heaters, which can be more environmentally friendly and safer in some situations.

Florida has a new program called "Elevate Florida" and it's not about raising the state's image or profile. It's about raising its houses in areas that are prone to flooding. 

Florida’s emergency management director announced the program this week. It offers grants and low-interest loans to assist with home elevation, which is expected to reduce future insurance claims and legal disputes as flooding and storms become more frequent.

Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Division of Emergency Management, said the program will integrate existing federal and state resources for the first time.

Homeowners impacted by recent storms can apply for grants to elevate their homes above the base flood level, though they must contribute 25% of the total cost.

A new idea?

“This has never been done before,” Guthrie said. “When we presented this, the mitigation and resiliency guys at FEMA said that no one has thought of that before.”

To cover this down payment, homeowners can access Small Business Administration (SBA) loans up to $500,000, with favorable terms (no interest for the first year and a 2.8% interest rate thereafter), he said.

The funding for the grants is essentially federal. Some $2 billion in federal disaster relief funds were made available after Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton hit Florida this fall. Most of that can be used to assist stricken homeowners, but some of it can also go to elevation and mitigation programs, Guthrie said. 

The federal government has allocated $2 billion in disaster relief funds for Florida, which can be used for elevation and mitigation projects. Additionally, homeowners may use the SBA loans to refinance existing mortgages, often at lower interest rates.

Quick, do you know which La Niña is which? Most people don't but the weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center do, and they predict a 60% chance that a weak La Niña will form this fall and could last until March.

What would that mean? It could mean that southern areas of the U.S. and parts of Mexico could be drier. The northern U.S. and southern Canada might see wetter conditions.

La Niña is part of a natural climate cycle that can lead to extreme weather around the world, though its effects vary by region.

La Niña is the cooler phase of a global climate pattern called El Niño-Southern Oscillation. It involves changes in wind and ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can impact weather worldwide.

El Niño, the warmer phase, happens when trade winds weaken, causing warm water to pile up near South America. During La Niña, the opposite occurs—the winds get stronger, and cooler water rises to the surface, cooling the eastern Pacific.

These changes in ocean temperatures affect the jet stream, a fast-moving band of air that influences storm patterns and rainfall. During La Niña, the jet stream shifts northward, affecting storm paths and increasing precipitation in certain areas.

A rare "triple-dip"

Recently, Earth went through a rare "triple-dip" La Niña from 2020 to 2023, where La Niña conditions occurred three winters in a row, something that had only happened once before in the 1970s. Climate scientist Michelle L’Heureux from NOAA explained that La Niñas tend to last longer and recur more often than El Niño events.

Ben Cook, a climate scientist at NASA, said that while another La Niña this year would be unusual, it’s not impossible. He added that frequent La Niñas can be tough for regions already dealing with drought, like East Africa, as it could worsen dry conditions.

In the U.S., areas like the Northeast and Ohio Valley are often wetter during La Niña, with more storms due to the jet stream’s position. The central U.S. may experience more cold outbreaks, and regions like New England and the Great Lakes often see more snow, though this isn’t guaranteed. In contrast, the southern U.S. tends to be drier and warmer.

Scientists are still uncertain about how climate change affects La Niña and El Niño. Some models suggest El Niño events may become more frequent, while La Niñas may occur less often, but there’s no consensus. Climate scientist Paul Roundy notes that it’s hard to separate natural climate cycles from the influence of climate change, but the patterns we see now could shift in the future.