Happy New Year, Alameda!
Perhaps your New Year’s resolutions include reducing your carbon footprint. One meaningful action you can take is to install a heat pump, which is an electric appliance that both heats and cools your home. Since Alameda’s municipally owned electric utility — Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) — uses 100 percent clean, green energy sources, when you swap your gas furnace for an electric heat pump you also eliminate greenhouse gas emissions generated by a fossil fuel-burning gas furnace.
Additionally, switching to a heat pump will significantly reduce your energy bill because they are highly efficient, using less electricity than traditional heating and cooling systems, and AMP’s electricity rates are competitively low. AMP also offers rebates of up to $1,500 per unit for both home owners and renters. While renters are unlikely to install a heat pump, they might consider a portable unit that can be installed in a window and plugged into the wall for power.
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Alameda residents can maximize savings on home electrification by combining federal, state and local incentives. You may want to apply for the federal tax credit of up to $2,000 soon because funding comes from the Biden administration’s climate change legislation, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act which may be eliminated in the Trump administration. Additionally, AMP General Manager Tim Haines reports that AMP expects funding for its heat pump space heater programs to be available through the end of this fiscal year (June 30, 2025).
AMP offers an array of customer programs that help our city achieve its Climate Action and Resiliency Plan goals. Learn more about them at alamedamp.com.
For information on applicable rebates and tax credits visit The Switch is On website at incentives.switchison.org. Simply enter your ZIP code and select “Space Heating/Cooling” from the drop down menu to start saving money and the planet.
Safety tips for winter bike riding: Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to travel by bike or foot whenever possible. Bicycling is an excellent way to get around our island, and beyond, but wintertime riding can mean wet weather, darker conditions and reduced visibility which requires additional safety considerations. Bike Walk Alameda Board Member Cyndy Johnsen shared helpful information on riding in wet weather and at night from Bike East Bay:
“When riding in the rain, wear neon and bright colors in dim, but not dark conditions. When it is dark outside you should wear high-visibility fluorescent clothes, but avoid hoods that cover your ears because they muffle traffic noise. Remember, bicycle brakes don’t work as well on wet surfaces so give yourself more time to stop. Try to avoid riding through puddles because they obscure road hazards like potholes, nails or broken glass.
“When biking after dark, California Vehicle Code requirements include a white front headlight visible from the front and sides of your bike from 300 feet, and a red rear reflector visible from 500 feet when in a car’s headlights. Many experienced cyclists exceed these requirements and use a red rear light, rather than a reflector.”
You’ll find more useful tips at bikeeastbay.org/wetweather, bikeeastbay.org/nightriding and bikewalkalameda.org.
AC Transit is hiring drivers and mechanics: Alameda residents rely on AC Transit’s bus service to get on, off, and around the island, and residents throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties also depend on this vital transportation service to travel to work, school, medical appointments and more. (Riding the bus also reduces your carbon footprint.) But AC Transit’s ability to operate depends on having enough drivers to serve its local and transbay routes, and enough mechanics to keep the busses running. If you’re looking for a new job in 2025, consider AC Transit.
AC Transit External Affairs Representative Maria Henderson says, “Each day, AC Transit’s skilled workforce connects communities throughout the Bay Area with safe and affordable transportation solutions. We are seeking team members who are courteous, customer service-oriented, and dependable to provide the highest quality of service to our customers and community. Along with providing quality service to riders, we are dedicated to providing a stable and supportive work environment to employees.”
AC Transit offers competitive salary and benefits for bus operators and pays candidates for both training and education to pursue future opportunities. Mechanics with at least four years of experience will also find competitive pay and benefits at AC Transit, plus paid training is provided for mechanics with no prior experience with diesel engines. There is also a $2,000 hiring bonus for bus operators and mechanics! For more information visit actransit.org/careers.
Let’s reduce our carbon footprint and stay Alameda Strong all year long!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda.