Latest news with #EPCA
San Francisco Chronicle
26-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
S.F. may soon ban natural gas in homes and businesses undergoing major renovations
San Francisco may soon ban natural gas in residential and commercial buildings undergoing major renovations, a move that supporters say will help combat greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. The proposed ordinance, which could take effect next year, would require 'major renovation' projects to include plans for replacing gas utilities with all-electric ones to get a permit. There are numerous exceptions, however. The proposal is sponsored by Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman and builds on the city's existing ban on natural gas in new buildings, first passed in 2020. 'The climate imperatives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions are certainly no less urgent than they were in 2020,' Mandelman said. The bill defines major renovations as projects that involve altering walls or ceilings on over two-thirds of the building, or renovating load-bearing elements that support over 30% of the building's floors or ceilings. Projects must also include plans to replace the majority of heating lines and other mechanical systems to meet the definition. The all-electric requirement also applies to any substantial additions to existing buildings that involve installing new utility systems. 'You're already taking out the mechanical systems, you're doing these really major alterations in the property,' said San Francisco Environment Director Tyrone Jue. 'That's the time to be designing for the future and not rebuilding with legacy systems.' The proposed policy would impact about 785,000 square feet of residential renovations each year, according to estimates from the city's environment department. About 250,000 square feet of commercial renovations each year would also fall under the bill. The department does not track total square feet of renovations. San Francisco's current all-electric requirement for new buildings was first passed in 2020, mirroring a 2019 ordinance adopted in Berkeley — the first city in the nation to pass a measure of this kind. But Berkeley repealed its natural gas ban in 2024 after a federal court said the legislation, which was challenged by the California Restaurant Association, conflicted with a 1975 U.S. law that gave federal officials the sole power to set energy regulations for certain appliances, raising legal uncertainty about similar policies passed in more than 70 California cities. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that by prohibiting project developers from installing natural gas in new buildings, Berkeley was indirectly regulating gas-powered appliances that fell under federal jurisdiction under the Energy Policy and Conversion Act, or EPCA. The law has allowed federal officials to set standards for most gas appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, stoves and clothes dryers. Though the ruling only impacted Berkeley's ordinance, it led San Francisco to amend its gas ban on new buildings to include an exception for all EPCA appliances. The newly proposed ordinance on major renovations outlines a similar exception. By creating a carve-out for EPCA appliances, the proposed legislation seems to 'protect against a lot of the litigation risks that could arise,' said environment and energy lawyer Ted Lamm, the associate director of UC Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy and the Environment. Because EPCA has set standards for most gas-powered appliances, the exemption would legally allow many property owners to evade the potential ban by claiming that their gas installations would solely serve one of the many EPCA-covered appliances. However, property owners are unlikely to take this route, Lamm said. The exception still requires renovated buildings to be 'electric-ready' — prepared to transition away from gas appliances. In most cases, property owners would find that reinstalling natural gas lines for just one or a handful of gas appliances is not worth the cost and opt to go all-electric instead, Lamm explained. The bill outlines other exceptions for affordable housing projects, major renovations that convert non-residential buildings to residential sites and projects that can prove that going all-electric is physically or technically infeasible, among others. It also proposes an exception to the all-electric requirement for major renovations on buildings that include an area for commercial food services — often restaurants or cafes — which mirrors a similar carve-out in the existing natural gas ban for new buildings. Cooking with gas is 'integral to restaurants,' said Laurie Thomas, the executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. 'If we were to have buildings retrofitted that excluded that, we all think it would be a real detriment to the industry.' Taken together, these exemptions can narrow the potential avenues for litigation by making it difficult for people to sue solely on the substance of the policy, Lamm said. But some critics say that the current exemptions are not enough. Developer Eric Tao of San Francisco-based L37 Development supports the bill's goal of banning natural gas for voluntary renovations, but fears the additional requirements will discourage certain property owners from making necessary repairs that may trigger the natural gas ban. 'You don't want to be financially prohibited from making sure your building doesn't fall down because you feel like all of a sudden it will trigger this,' he said. Members of the city's Building Inspection Commission shared similar fears. During the commission's July 16 meeting, Commissioner Bianca Neumann, who works for an affordable housing developer, pointed to how the proposal exempts projects that can prove physical or technical difficulty, but not financial challenges. Major renovations are often less predictable than new constructions and thus may create unplanned costs, she said. The commission ultimately recommended the bill to the Land Use and Transportation Committee, but with proposed amendments to delay implementation of the ban to 2027, to create an exemption for projects undergoing voluntary seismic retrofits, and to remove the 2028 expiration of the affordable housing exception. The land use committee will hear it on Monday. Commissioner Kavin Williams, the only commissioner to vote against the recommendation, called the bill 'red tape for the sake of red tape' and a 'bureaucratic nightmare.' 'The electrification is already happening on its own,' Williams said, pointing to the existing ban on natural gas in new construction and a trend of developers voluntarily converting projects to all-electric buildings. Mandelman said his office is still considering the proposed amendments and hopes to produce a revised draft of the bill ahead of the Monday committee hearing. He's confident the legislation will receive approval. 'I'm hopeful that even without legislation, that improvements in the market and the products would naturally be leading to this outcome,' Mandelman said. 'But I still think there's a role, potentially for local government, or state government, in pushing folks along to make this choice.' Natural gas combustion in buildings accounts for about 40% of San Francisco's community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, making buildings a key area that the city would likely need to address to achieve its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. The bill would reduce emissions by 45,000 metric tons, according to estimates from the 2021 Climate Action Plan. This represents just over one percent of the city's carbon footprint. The proposal would represent the third largest reduction in emissions among the climate action plan's proposed emission reduction strategies. It would also have key health benefits, such as reducing the benzene emissions that people breathe when using indoor gas stoves.
Cision Canada
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Parents React to the Finalized Education Budget Rules
, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Following the release of the final budget rules for the education sector, the English Parents Committee Association (EPCA) and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ) are urging the Quebec government and the entire education network to go further to ensure students' access to educational services are never compromised. While the budgetary outlook is less dire than expected, both organizations stress: our children deserve better. "It is unacceptable that our children's future continues to be put at risk in the name of balancing budgets. Educational services are not a luxury — they are essential.", indicates Katherine Korakakis, President of EPCA. "Our children's education, their success and well-being must come before balancing the budget." adds Mélanie Laviolette, President of the FCPQ. In recent years, students in Quebec have faced constant disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic led to learning and developmental setbacks, followed by prolonged school closures due to strikes. A recovery plan had been launched, but funding for key support measures, including tutoring and free summer school, was discontinued last year, raising serious concerns among parents and educators. Back in March 2025, parents were already voicing fears about the slowing pace of educational investment in the provincial budget. Today, FCPQ and EPCA are encouraged that the government has demonstrated that educational services for students are the priority. We now ask that education be confirmed as the top priority and never depends on shifting political will. Both organizations are perplexed by the government's continued denial that the earlier versions of the budget rules signaled cuts, even as stakeholders across the education network spent weeks scrambling to understand how to maintain services. Throughout the summer, both FCPQ and EPCA will remain active, monitoring developments, maintaining dialogue with partners, and supporting their member parent committees. One thing is clear: parents will not stand by as their children's success, well-being, and future are jeopardized. Their voices will be heard; education must be the priority! About the English Parent Committee Association (EPCA) EPCA is a coalition of parent committees from Quebec's English-language school boards. As the official voice of the English-speaking public school parent community, it represents nearly 100,000 students and advocates on their behalf to the Ministry of Education and throughout the education system. About the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ) The FCPQ represents parent committees from more than 90% of Quebec's school service centres. For over 50 years, it has supported dedicated volunteer parents working to strengthen parental involvement in public elementary and secondary schools to ensure quality education for all children.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
The Edward Pierce Center for Autism Inc Launches Initiatives to Expand Critical Services for Underserved Communities
Arlington, Texas / Storyteller / Jul 09, 2025 / The Edward Pierce Center for Autism Inc. (EPCA), a nonprofit organization founded by Tracy Pierce, PhD, launches wide-reaching services that aim to bridge gaps in autism support. With a mission to promote inclusion for individuals with autism, EPCA focuses on providing comprehensive support, training, and research opportunities that can bring life-changing resources to adolescents and families in underserved areas. Dr. Pierce, a former Marine, shares that the motivation behind this launch is personal. 'When my son Edward, who has autism, entered adolescence, we lost access to ABA [Applied Behavior Analysis] therapy,' she says. 'His behavior became more aggressive. He was six-foot-three by age 13, and I thought we were going to lose him to a group home. But I found a way to train myself, and it made all the difference. I realized parents need to be empowered, especially when the system falls short.' This empowerment can be achieved through EPCA's services, which fall into three categories: training and consulting, research and data collection, and community outreach and support. All of these emphasize equipping those closest to individuals with autism, the parents, educators, business owners, and community leaders, with the tools to provide inclusive support. Such support is much-needed during the challenging teenage years when many traditional services begin to taper off. Edward Pierce The training and consulting programs are tailored to address real-world needs. These sessions are for caregivers and professionals supporting teens with autism, including those with aggressive or high-need behaviors. EPCA provides one-on-one guidance for families and organizations, creating customized training plans specific to the individual challenges they face. In addition to training, EPCA contributes to autism research. It collects data from families, particularly those with non-verbal children or adolescents experiencing complex symptoms such as aggression or auditory hallucinations, to address gaps in the current body of knowledge. 'This work is crucial,' Dr. Pierce stresses. 'There aren't many studies that include the most severe cases due to difficulties in obtaining traditional consent. That's why we're connecting researchers with families and helping them deal with institutional barriers.' This initiative illustrates EPCA's dedication to broadening the scope of autism research and ensuring that the underserved voices are heard. Community outreach is also an essential part of EPCA. In many regions, especially rural areas or small towns, it's common for families to lose access to support once insurance lapses or ABA therapy ends. EPCA partners with community centers, health clinics, and local leaders to bring services directly to the people. 'Families whose children are too behaviorally complex to attend traditional clinics don't need to worry. We offer flexible, accessible support,' Dr. Pierce remarks. Tracy Pierce Through these sustainable, community-based initiatives, EPCA helps prevent family separations, reduce the burden on overwhelmed caregivers, and improve long-term outcomes for individuals with autism. The founder's initial vision to provide services where there were none has grown into a dynamic model for inclusive, scalable care. As the Edward Pierce Center for Autism grows, it welcomes support from every corner. Donors can help expand its reach into more communities that currently lack autism resources. Researchers are also encouraged to collaborate with EPCA to access underrepresented data that could transform the field. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers are invited to share their experiences to further research and service development. Last but not least, businesses and educators can partner with the center to receive essential training and create more inclusive environments for neurodiverse individuals. Dr. Pierce states: 'Getting involved with the Edward Pierce Center for Autism means being part of a mission that's reshaping what's possible for individuals with autism and their families.' Media Contact Name: Tracy Pierce Email: tracy.p@ Source published by Submit Press Release >> The Edward Pierce Center for Autism Inc Launches Initiatives to Expand Critical Services for Underserved Communities
CNBC
29-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
An energy star inside U.S. homes is under attack from Trump, with the cost to homeowners uncertain
Donald Trump, as both a citizen and president, has railed against modern dishwashers, washing machines, light bulbs, showerheads and toilets, claiming that onerous government regulations render them less effective and more expensive. Since returning to the White House in January, he's turned his ire into an edict. On April 9, Trump issued an executive order directing certain federal agencies "to incorporate a sunset provision" into a laundry list of regulations governing energy production, including those covering appliances. A month later, he issued a memorandum, entitled "Rescission of Useless Water Pressure Standards." Following that, on May 12, the Department of Energy announced that it was preparing to eliminate or modify 47 federal regulations "that are driving up costs and lowering quality of life for the American people." Many of the rules are covered in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), a decades-old law that mandates energy-efficiency and water-conservation standards for home appliances and plumbing fixtures. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency said it is planning to eliminate the Energy Star program, a popular voluntary initiative that manufacturers employ to rank their appliances based on energy conservation and cost savings, displayed on familiar blue labeling at retail as comparison-shopping guides. Trump's actions have been met with a mix of resistance from consumer protection groups and appliance manufacturers, as well as support from deregulation hawks and decriers of the nanny state. And while the administration continues to review the current standards and solicit comments before considering any official changes, legal challenges to the efforts are being weighed. Originally passed in 1975, EPCA ensures that the entire array of products covered by the law all meet a basic level of energy- and water-efficiency performance, reflected in different price points. A prime example are the ubiquitous yellow Energy Guide stickers affixed to appliances that indicate their annual energy usage and cost. "Consumers who are shopping primarily, if not exclusively, on price also get reasonable efficiency performance [information]," said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a coalition of environmental and consumer groups, utilities and state governments, based at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit research organization. Without that level of regulated consumer protection, deLaski said, "It's buyer beware." Consumers would face the risk of less-efficient appliances entering an unregulated marketplace, he said, "and you're not going to know it until you get the [higher] electric bill." Separate from EPCA, the Energy Star labeling program was established by the EPA in 1992 as a public-private partnership. Managed and jointly funded by the DOE, it sets energy-efficiency standards that manufacturers can choose to display on appliances, building products, electronics, lighting fixtures, HVAC equipment and other products as a way for consumers and businesses to make informed purchase decisions. The EPA estimates that 90% of households recognize the Energy Star label and that over its 33 years, the program has saved five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by four billion metric tons and saved $500 billion in utility costs. The program's 2024 operating budget was $35.7 million. To date, every dollar spent has resulted in nearly $350 in energy cost savings. Consumer Reports conducted a national survey in March which found that 87% of respondents support energy-efficient home appliance standards. Nearly a third said that saving money on energy bills would motivate them to buy a more efficient large home appliance. Last month, in response to plans to shutter Energy Star, the organization issued a statement urging the EPA to preserve the program. "The loss would hit especially hard at a time when people are dealing with unpredictable energy bills and trying to cut expenses," said Shanika Whitehurst, associate director for Consumer Reports' product sustainability, research and testing team. The nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan coalition of consumer, environment, business and government groups, suggests that EPCA and Energy Star actually promote the White House's goals of lowering families' energy bills and making the nation energy dominant. "If you start to dismantle the energy-efficiency programs, American households are going to pay for that," said Jason Reott, ASE's senior manager of policy. "Energy dominance begins at home, by eliminating energy waste." The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which represents more than 150 manufacturers, has historically supported efficiency regulations, but pushed back against the Biden administration's updates of EPCA standards for gas stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and other appliances. The law requires the DOE to review standards at least once every six years, a process that has often led to rule changes. "We have always been able to produce products at higher efficiency levels," said Jill Notini, vice president of communications and marketing for AHAM, "but there's a tipping point where you have to stop and say, you have to have the technology that allows those standard levels." "We very much appreciate the intent behind [President Trump's] goals of deregulatory actions," Notini said. "Our industry needs it after looking at our products and how far they have come in terms of energy efficiency and water use," alluding to the eight rounds of EPCA reviews, updates and revisions over the years. Today's appliances are at or near their peak efficiency, a result of federal standards and manufacturers' investment in technology and innovation, Notini said. "So there needs to be a recognition that we can't stay on this path and continue to ratchet up standards and expect high-performing products," she added. AHAM favors revising EPCA standards, she said, based on technological advances rather than the every-six-year requirement. What the association does not endorse, however, is Trump's request for the DOE to waive federal preemption of states' regulations regarding the water efficiency of showerheads, faucets and toilets. "It's concerning to us that we may not have federal preemption, which creates that certainty that the industry is looking for," Notini said, noting that several states have established their own efficiency standards on some EPCA-covered products. Federal preemption "truly is what has made energy efficiency such a success." AHAM member LG Electronics USA has mixed views on efforts to roll back EPCA, according to senior vice president John I. Taylor. "Generally deregulation is good for business, but there are some specific things in EPCA that are beneficial to American consumers and the American economy," he said. "Our company has been a leader in driving energy efficiency, so regardless of how the regulations end up, we'll continue to keep our foot on that accelerator." In March, nearly three dozen industry groups and appliance companies, including the Chamber of Commerce, Bosch, Carrier and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) sent a letter to EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, urging him not to end Energy Star. In April, the U.S. Green Building Council, along with more than 1,000 signatories — among them LG, Miele and Samsung Electronics America — wrote to Zeldin to express concerns about proposed cuts at the EPA, including Energy Star. While major appliance retailers, such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Best Buy, have not publicly commented on any of these pending regulatory changes, the National Retail Federation, one of several consumer products, manufacturing, real estate and retail organizations that sent a letter on June 6 to a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders, asking them to "strongly support continuation of the non-regulatory and non-partisan Energy Star program within the federal government." "Consumers have said overwhelmingly that they support voluntary environmental standard-setting programs like Energy Star," said Scot Case, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and executive director for the NRF's Center for Retail Sustainability. And that's why retailers the trade group represents "want to make sure they're able to share the benefits of those programs with the consumer," he said. Trump's tribulations with energy-efficiency and water-conservation standards echo those of libertarians and free-marketers who maintain that regulations often represent government overreach and restrict personal choice. For instance, the libertarian Cato Institute has called Energy Star "a very coarse piece of energy information that may crowd out efforts" to develop more accurate ways to measure energy-operating costs. "I'm a big proponent of energy efficiency, but I don't think we need the federal government overriding the choices and preferences that consumers may have when purchasing an appliance," said Nick Loris, vice president of public policy for C3 Solutions, a conservative energy think tank. He said rolling back EPCA standards is "a step forward in reducing government intervention into decisions that should be best left for producers and consumers." As with a mounting number of actions taken by the Trump administration this year — from tariffs to immigration — tinkering with EPCA is expected to be challenged in federal courts. The law includes a so-called anti-backsliding provision, which prevents rolling back standards that have already been finalized. A 2004 case deLaski referred to, NRDC v. Abraham, upheld the provision. "Once a DOE standard has been updated and published in the Federal Register, you can't go backward," he said of the precedent. The administration may seek legal authority to enact these deregulation orders by citing the "good cause" exception in the Administrative Procedures Act as a way to avoid the APA's public notice-and-comment processes. Yet legal experts, environmental groups and state attorneys general have warned that skipping APA procedures — especially for weakening energy- and water-use standards covered by EPCA — would likely be deemed "arbitrary and capricious" and illegal. Ultimately, considering the success and popularity of EPCA and Energy Star — with consumers, manufacturers and retailers — as well as the legal underpinnings, it's entirely possible that both will remain intact, if perhaps with a few tweaks. "In one form or another," Taylor said, "we expect both will." "We know consumers want the information, and the interesting thing about consumers is, they are also voters," Case said.
Finextra
03-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
European Card Payment Association calls for EU payments sovereignty
The European Card Payment Association (EPCA) has called for a strong stance on payments soveriegnty across the bloc amid ongoing geo-political turmoil and fall out from Trump tarrifs. 3 The EPCA has released a white paper which shows that in 2024 there were over 263 million European Card Scheme (ECS) payment cards in circulation, which made 31.5 billion transactions last year alone. However, the payments space is dominated by Visa and Mastercard, who between them process 65% of euro area card payments, while US tech giants such as Apple, Google and PayPal are also gaining popularity. The EPCA's paper explores the urgent need to protect the sovereignty over payment infrastructure in Europe offered by ECSs, amid challenges such as the current American administration's increasingly isolationist approach or unpredictable geopolitical events such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The strategy calls for the development of a comprehensive payments and industrial policy that ensures at least one EU-based payment method is always available to European consumers and businesses alongside the continued development and widespread adoption of European open standards, such as CPACE. This should be coupled with regulatory measures that focus on ensuring a level playing field between ECS and global players as well as mechanisms to facilitate infrastructure sharing and cross-border acceptance agreements between European stakeholders. The white paper's conclusions align with the European Commission's focus on strategic autonomy in payments. It launches as Christine Lagarde,pPresident of the European Central Bank, called in April for a 'march towards independence' from international payment platforms. It's a message backed by the bank-backed European Payments Initiative, which in April called on local European digital payment networks to co-operate in building a shared merchant acceptance infrastructure, ensuring interoperability, scalability, and cross-border functionality Juan Carlos Martín, chairman, ECPA, comments: 'To safeguard Europe's financial future, resilience and autonomy, particularly at a time when economic relationships between nations can quickly sour, it is of the utmost importance that the sovereignty and cooperation unique to Europe's card schemes is enthusiastically supported by all stakeholders. "Control over payment infrastructure is inseparable from true economic sovereignty, and financial and regulatory institutions across the continent must prioritise collaboration that achieves this for the entire European continent.' The call for action has been heeded by Giesecke & Devrient, which has announced plans to launch a multi-application card offering access to local domestic networks for in-store and online purchases across several countries. Stella (Sovereign Technical European initiative Leveraging Local Assets), connects with over 300 million cards criculated by domestic European card schemes. The card will also offer full interoperability with Visa and Mastercard "but only where necessary".
