There’s a lot riding on today, with 39 gubernatorial races on the ballot. If you haven’t made a plan to get your ballot in before the polls close, hurry! (And if you’ve already voted, I see your sticker!)
Here’s what’s keeping me calm while the results roll in. As we shared in last month’s Momentum Q3 | 2026: Special Legislation Edition report, policymakers in 35 states introduced 124 building decarb bills this year, the broadest participation we’ve ever seen. And a third of them became law. Whatever the political weather, states keep arriving at the same conclusion: cleaner, healthier, more affordable buildings are simply good policy.
I’m also finding joy today in our Clean Green Neighborhood book, which just turned one! (Happy birthday, little book. You’ve grown up so fast.) It keeps delighting readers of all ages, and last week someone told me it’s their kid’s favorite bedtime story. I’m not saying we’re coming for Goodnight Moon, but Goodnight Moon never mentioned an induction stove. If you’d like a little decarb delight on your own nightstand, order a copy here.
The rest of this newsletter is packed with wins that prove the work keeps moving. Take a deep breath, enjoy the good news, and let’s keep building.
Yours in decarbonizing,
Panama
MOMENTUM REPORT
Momentum Q3 | 2026: Special Legislation Edition
Rising utility bills made energy affordability a defining issue in this year’s legislative sessions. Our new Momentum Q3 | 2026: Special Legislation Edition report shows how states responded and what stood out this year.
More states than ever introduced building decarbonization laws: 35 states introduced 124 building decarbonization bills, and a third became law.
Energy affordability takes center stage: Nearly a third of 44 affordability bills passed, targeting utility spending, customer bill assistance, shutoff protections, and the system costs driving higher monthly bills.
Utility profits face new scrutiny: Four states proposed reforming how utilities earn returns on infrastructure with the goal of lowering customer bills.
Plug-in solar gains ground: 11 states passed plug-in solar laws, out of more than 50 bills in 33 states, to make small-scale solar more accessible and help households offset some of their electricity costs.
Cutting the heat pump red tape: California passed the first statewide law to streamline heat pump permitting.
It’s been one year since we launched The Clean Green Neighborhood, a story about sharing energy, building power, and the union workers who make neighborhoods resilient and renewable. This book is written in Spanish and English and is intended for both children and adults. Written in collaboration with unions and printed by a union print shop in the U.S., this book embodies the vision of the world it seeks to create.
The holiday season is right around the corner. Order now through the end of November, and receive 25% off with discount code: 9NDRCCTP
This year has been a big year for building decarbonization in California! Last month, Governor Newsom signed several landmark bills that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to install heat pumps and support the state’s broader transition to clean energy. Together, these bills clear blockages at several points where building electrification tends to stall, including permitting, inspection, and gas infrastructure spending. Learn more about what makes this session so significant for California Heat Pump Partnership’s work.
We invite you to join us for our monthly California building decarbonization policy discussion. Learn about legislation, regulation, and what’s on the climate policy horizon as our coalition works to advance neighborhood-scale decarbonization, statewide healthy air standards, and energy affordability.
Energy experts call on New York regulators to modernize the state’s grid, lower energy costs through clean energy, and prepare for growing electricity demand “The Grid of the Future plan is a unique opportunity for New York to remove outdated barriers to electrification, reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices, and build an energy system that is cleaner, more affordable, and ready for growing demand,” said Nicole Abene, New York associate director at BDC. “New York should lead the nation with a grid plan centered on the policies and technologies that lower costs for families, make the energy system more resilient, and grow our economy. Heat pumps and thermal energy networks, paired with fair electric heating rates, accomplish all three, while ensuring safe and effective systems for all.”
IN THE PRESS
New York Cautiously Advances a Key Clean Heat Technology NY Focus The approval of two utility thermal energy network (TEN) projects by New York’s Public Service Commission (PSC) was a “breakthrough” moment for TENs in the state, because it provides an opportunity to show how they can cost-effectively deliver clean heating and cooling while also creating union careers in building decarbonization, explains BDC’s Allison Considine.
New York to build state’s first two utility-scale thermal networks Canary Media BDC’s Allison Considine tells Canary Media that the two utility TEN projects recently approved by New York’s PSC join other TEN initiatives in the state, including projects being built at State University of New York (SUNY) campuses and New York City’s study of whether a TEN could help cool the city’s subways while also heating nearby buildings.
Heat Pumps Hold 58% of U.S. Heating Market After Tax Credit Expiration The Hardware Story highlights data from BDC’s latest Momentum report showing that heat pumps have moved far beyond being a “niche electrification product” and in fact now represent the majority of U.S. heating-equipment shipments.
Heat pumps have so far withstood the death of federal tax credits Canary Media Heat pumps are a “bright spot” in the cleantech market, with 2026 set to be “a very good year for the tech” despite the end of their federal tax credit last year, according to findings in BDC’s Momentum Q3 | 2026 report.
Gas stoves put restaurant cooks’ health at risk, new study finds Canary Media Fully electric kitchens can help protect food-service workers' health, and the U.S. should implement policies that make it easier for commercial kitchens to electrify, says BDC’s Panama Bartholomy.
Utility surcharges Philadelphia Inquirer A Philadelphia resident references findings from BDC’s recent report, The Cost of Heat: Managing Pennsylvania’s Thermal Transition, in a letter to the editor calling for the elimination of the Act 11 accelerated pipeline replacement incentives that are increasing gas utility customers' bills.
POLICY UPDATES
Each month, BDC summarizes key building decarbonization policy-related news from the states in which we currently work. For more details on policy-related news in each state, visit the state’s policy page by clicking the "Learn More" button beneath the state’s summary.
California
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is advancing two proceedings that could shape the affordability of building electrification and the future of California’s gas system. In the Advanced Rate Design proceeding, a new scoping memo moves residential rate design onto its own track, with workshops planned for early 2027 and a Proposed Decision expected by Q3 2027. Under SB 1221, CPUC staff have proposed giving gas utilities an incentive equal to 25% of verified net savings from neighborhood decarbonization pilots, with a Proposed Decision expected in late Q4 2026 or early Q1 2027. Meanwhile, on Nov. 4, the Bay Area Air District board will vote on amendments to its water heater standard (Rule 9-6) that add flexibility measures for implementation and move the compliance date to January 2028.
BDC submitted comments on the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Future of Gas (FOG) Decarbonization Pathways Study, emphasizing the need for long-term gas and electric system planning to align with Illinois’ climate and clean energy goals. Yami Newell, Senior Policy Manager for Illinois, served as a panelist at the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Buildings Code Conference, sharing examples of TENs in practice and emphasizing the importance of treating TENs as long-term infrastructure and identifying financing approaches that can support upfront investments in energy centers, distribution systems, building retrofits, and geothermal resources.
On Oct. 15, the New York Public Service Commission approved two Utility Thermal Energy Networks (UTENs) for construction. The projects are Orange & Rockland’s in Haverstraw and National Fuel Gas’ in Buffalo, and they will cost a combined $111.5 million. These projects will be the second and third utility thermal energy networks built in the country, after Eversource’s project in Massachusetts. The projects will utilize $93 million from New York’s Sustainable Future Program, dramatically lowering the cost to ratepayers. The Department of Public Service will hold a technical conference within 180 days to discuss a regulatory framework for these and similar thermal energy networks.
Furthering our commitment to knowledge sharing, we are excited to continue our "Report Roundup" segment, which highlights insightful reports from other organizations in the building decarbonization movement.
Managing the Gas Transition Saves Oregonians Billions Climate Solutions and Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, July 2026 Analyzing the impact on customers and utility finances from changes to gas customers and sales along different pathways to comply with Oregon’s greenhouse gas targets, the model identifies a managed transition as the lowest-cost path, which is $6.8 billion less than the business-as-usual case.
The Opportunity for Heat Pumps to Put Downward Pressure on Electricity Rates RMI, October 2026 This report models winter headroom (available winter generation capacity after reserves above winter peak demand) across states and identifies strategic heat pump deployment as an opportunity to improve grid utilization, put downward pressure on electric rates, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bringing Unions Home: A Blueprint for Labor-Led Residential Decarbonization in New York ILR Climate Jobs Institute, September 2026 To decarbonize New York’s private residential market, lower energy bills, create high-quality union jobs, and reduce emissions, this report identifies three coordinated, worker-centered strategies, including the Healthy Home Improvement Program, to achieve these goals.
FROM OUR FRIENDS
Silicon Valley Clean Energy What does an electric home feel like to live in? As part of a recent event, Silicon Valley Clean Energy partnered with BDC on The Power Behind Modern Living, a lifestyle magazine that answers that question through comfort, health, and design. Inside, Stanford pediatric hospitalist Dr. Lisa Patel explains how appliance choices shape the air we breathe at home, Chef Matt Dailey shares why he cooks on induction, and Bay Area residents describe life with heat pumps and other electric home technologies that are redefining comfort, performance, and everyday living.
