Sign in

Tony Sirna

@sirnatony.bsky.social
227 followers 679 following 72 posts

Buildings Senior Policy Lead at Evergreen Action. All views expressed are my own personal views.

PostsRepliesMedia
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Bay Area contractor Owen Grimsage says his customers are almost always seeing lower energy bills after installing heat pumps. Tell @airdistrict.bsky.social to give families more opportunities to save - Vote YES on clean air standards for water heaters. www.bayareacleanair.com/standard-sig...
084
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Building Decarbonization Coalition @buildingdecarb.org · 10/09/2026
💲 BDC Report: Pennsylvania’s “Big Six” gas utilities spent $11 billion on Act 11-enabled gas pipeline replacement programs from 2013 to 2025, driving 67% surge in gas utility bills. bit.ly/4xkVfDV #EnergySky #ClimateSky #BuildingDecarb #HeatPump #CleanHeat #ThermalEnergyNetworks
11211
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea...
canarymedia.com
Heat-pump water heaters just keep getting better
Manufacturers are rolling out models that heat up at times when power is cheap, fit into tighter spaces, and aggressively cut energy bills.
000
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Building Decarbonization Coalition @buildingdecarb.org · 11/08/2026
#Heatpumps can save households money on energy bills, but continuous funding for #TECHCleanCA and streamlined permitting via @scottwiener.bsky.social's #SB222 are needed to support homeowners and contractors, among other key strategies. Read more from @spur-urbanist.bsky.social: bit.ly/4q8cQNc
bit.ly
Three Measures to Drive Down the High Cost of Heat Pump Installation
Heat pumps don’t emit pollution and can reduce home utility bills. They’d be ubiquitous appliances for home heating and cooling if their installation costs could be slashed. A larger, more knowledgeab...
054
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Building Decarbonization Coalition @buildingdecarb.org · 07/08/2026
⚡ BDC’s August Decarb Digest explores why energy affordability is a defining issue in the midterm elections, how a new #HeatPump product expands access to more homes, policy updates from CA, IL, and MN, and the latest #BuildingDecarb reports and news. Read more: bit.ly/4wKhaol #EnergySky
bit.ly
🏘️ Decarb Digest - August 2026
043
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
If you have asthma, ditch your gas stove and watch your health improve!
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Millions of families can't afford the skyrocketing costs of housing and energy. State leaders can address both housing and energy affordability and climate together: build more homes, make them efficient, and cut wasteful utility spending. www.evergreencollaborative.com/news/abundan...
evergreencollaborative.com
Abundant, Efficient, and Affordable Homes: How States Can Lower Housing and Energy Costs At the Same Time - Evergreen Collaborative
Housing and energy costs are two sides of the same affordability crisis. Learn more about how states can address both at the same time.
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Really excited by this new report I co-wrote with my colleagues at @evergreenaction.bsky.social. As the buildings guy, I'm most excited about the 14 policies we highlight that can cut housing costs, lower heating and cooling bills, and help people upgrade their homes to be more efficient.
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Federal rebates were intended to help households upgrade their homes. But new @departmentofenergy.bsky.social rules prevent North Carolina families from using rebates to replace fossil-fueled heating w/efficient electric systems, costing them $880/yr in savings www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
canarymedia.com
New Trump rules make it more costly to electrify North Carolina homes
The Department of Energy recently announced new guidance that prevents “fuel switching,” scrambling the state’s first-ever electrification program.
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Half of manufactured homes are built to modern efficiency standards. The other half are wasting energy and cost owners $475/year in higher utility bills. HUD must update its standards that are 32 years out of date.
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Efficient homes are affordable homes -- it's not just about the cost to build. DOE’s latest building code analysis ignores half the equation: energy efficiency. Modern energy standards save an estimated $3k per home in utility bills. Learn more: bit.ly/4buDfi6
bit.ly
Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new…
A Department of Energy study found that the latest version of an international energy code would raise construction costs by billions — and ignored bill…
030
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Excited to see efficient and healthy homes as part of this new agenda for Maryland. Let's go!
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Why are we wasting money investing on an outdated and aging gas system? Gas utilities make all their profits on the pipes! 💵 So of course they want to install as many pipes as possible even when it's raising your costs and wasting money. Read more below.
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
This record-setting heat wave showed why Maryland must invest in healthier, more resilient and affordable homes. With $84 million dollars available, @govwesmoore.bsky.social can do so by implementing Clean Heat Rules and deliver efficient heat pumps, which provide summer cooling and winter heat.
132
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
You think gas bills pay for gas - but they're really paying for pipes! New @sfchronicle.com op-ed from @spur-urbanist.bsky.social's Sam Fishman on why the @airdistrict.bsky.social's clean appliance standards can help lower bills with electric appliances. www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
sfchronicle.com
Mad about the Bay Area gas water heater ban? Here’s what you need to know
OPINION: Every year we delay the electric transition, more money flows from Bay Area households into gas infrastructure that fewer and fewer people are using, Sam Fishman writes.
076
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Advance Maryland @advancemaryland.org · 29/06/2026
Gas pipeline spending in Maryland is out of control, and it’s driving up our utility bills. Multi-billion dollar programs are locking us into polluting fossil fuel infrastructure for decades to come.
143
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Why waste hundreds of millions of dollars every year replacing old gas service lines? The Home Energy Choice Act makes utilities offer Californians another option: electrify their homes with $$$ that would be spent replacing gas service lines. Read @missionvespa.bsky.social's blog bit.ly/4aDSYLJ
bit.ly
Californians Deserve to Choose the Energy Source for their Homes — a New Bill Would Give Them the Freedom and Funds to Do So
The Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313) is the biggest no-brainer of the state legislative session
132
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Advance Maryland @advancemaryland.org · 22/06/2026
BGE’s multi-billion dollar gas pipeline replacement program drives up our bills, doesn’t prioritize safety, and locks us into polluting fossil fuels. Last year, our lawmakers passed a bill to put an end to excessive gas pipeline replacement spending. But... (1/2)
Blue graphic with bold green headline reading "BGE'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR GAS PIPELINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM:" Three bullet points with blue arrows list criticisms in white text: "Drives up our bills," "Doesn't keep us safe, and," "Locks us in to polluting fossil fuels." At the bottom, a green warning triangle with exclamation mark sits above white text on dark blue highlighted background reading "Our utility regulators must force BGE to follow the law!" surrounded by a blue circle.
134
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Advance Maryland @advancemaryland.org · 18/06/2026
Last year, our lawmakers passed a bill to require gas utilities like BGE and Washington Gas to prioritize SAFETY – not PROFITS – in their gas pipeline replacement. This would lower our bills and keep us safe. But gas utilities aren’t following the law. (1/2)
Dark blue campaign graphic with bold green text reading "GAS UTILITIES PIPELINE PROGRAMS PRIORITIZE PROFIT – NOT SAFETY." White text below explains that lawmakers passed a bill last year to address this, but gas utilities aren't following the law. A call to action in green urges viewers to "tell your utility regulators it's time to intervene!" with a link (bit.ly/pscact) and a white octagonal stop-sign icon with a hand symbol in the bottom right corner.
232
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Appliance Standards Awareness Project @asapstandards.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
ASAP's new supplemental policy analysis estimates potential state-by-state impacts from the next round of updates to federal appliance standards, including bill savings and reductions in peak demand, air pollution, and water use. appliance-standards.org/more-savings...
042
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Rep. Mike Levin @levin.house.gov · 05/06/2026
The President told voters their energy bills would be cut in half within a year. That hasn’t happened. 18 months in, electricity rates are still climbing. So ask the obvious question: does a $700 million federal subsidy for coal lower your bill? It does not.
reuters.com
Trump plans $700 million in new coal support, White House official says
U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to use Cold War-era national defense powers to send nearly $700 million to support ​coal facilities, according to a White House official.
33817
Reposted by Tony Sirna
House of Reps. SEEC @houseseec.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Handing out $700M to dirty, inefficient energy sources puts polluters first & Americans last in the midst of Trump’s energy crisis. This is a stunning abuse of taxpayer dollars & comes on top of Trump’s orders to keep aging coal plants online, which have already cost American families $336 million.
121
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Thank you @susielee.house.gov for offering an amendment that would lower energy costs nationwide by leveling the playing field and unleashing America's clean energy ☀️💨
041
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Tell your state leaders to hold utility companies accountable and bring down energy costs action.consumerreports.org/nb-20260512-...
action.consumerreports.org
Tell state leaders to hold utility companies accountable
Tell state leaders to hold utility companies accountable
000
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Building Decarbonization Coalition @buildingdecarb.org · 22/05/2026
Our energy affordability crisis has a hidden driver: utilities spending billions on gas pipelines. But, as @kgeorgebagdanov.bsky.social and @panamaredhat.bsky.social tell @volts.wtf, states are increasingly implementing policies to transition us away from gas to affordable clean heat and cooling.
04216
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Did you know burning gas in our homes creates more deadly, asthma causing NOx pollution in the Bay Area than cars? Good thing the @airdistrict.bsky.social is doing something to clean up our air! I'm quoted in this great article from @canarymedia.com. www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
canarymedia.com
Bay Area looks to exempt some households from gas water-heater…
The region is finalizing its first-in-the-nation rule to limit the sale of polluting gas water heaters, which will take effect next year.
152
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Advance Maryland @advancemaryland.org · 12/05/2026
Gas delivery rates have more than TRIPLED since 2010, due in part to utilities being allowed to pass on the 💲 of new gas lines to existing customers. Our utility regulators –the Public Service Commission– had the chance to 🛑 forcing us to pay for new, polluting pipelines, but delayed action instead.
A light green graphic with bold blue text reading 'GAS DELIVERY RATES HAVE MORE THAN TRIPLED SINCE 2010!' Below, dark blue text states 'Maryland utility regulators had a chance to stop forcing customers to pay for new gas lines — and hit pause instead.' The words 'and hit pause instead' are highlighted with a white background. A blue thumbs-down icon appears on the right side.
122
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Youth. Contractors. Physicians. Environmental justice advocates. 99 people showed up today for @airdistrict.bsky.social clean air standards for water heaters! The community is winning—support is strong! Tell the @airdistrict.bsky.social - keep moving forward. #CleanAir
043
Reposted by Tony Sirna
SF Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, SFBayPSR.org @sfbaypsr.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Listen to doctors! Gas water heaters & furnaces are harming our health—and our children are paying the price. Polluters want to stall clean air protections that would save lives! SF Bay PSR supports this ad in @sfchronicle.com Tell @airdistrict.bsky.social Implement Rule 9-6 now.
053
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Polluters are pushing to stall clean air protections that would save lives and cut pollution. Meanwhile, families keep paying the price. We’re calling this out in a full-page @sfchronicle.com ad today. Tell @airdistrict.bsky.social leaders: stand up to fossil fuel pressure. Act now!
Full page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle - The Smog is coming from our homes.

Gas-burning water heaters and furnaces
produce more smog-forming pollution than
all the passenger cars in the Bay Area combined.

Clean air standards for appliances passed in 2023 will:
• Save hundreds of millions of dollars in health costs each year
• Prevent up to 85 early deaths annually
• Prevent up to 15,000 asthma attacks annually

Bay Area Air District:
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Stand up to fossil fuel industry pressure.
Implement Rule 9-6.
002
Reposted by Tony Sirna
SF Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, SFBayPSR.org @sfbaypsr.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Did you know that our gas water & space heaters create more harmful air pollution than cars in the Bay Area? And air pollution harms your ENTIRE body? That is why we support Air District rules for HEALTHIER & better electric appliances. GET the FACTS about the Rules: www.sfbaypsr.org/wp-content/u...
021
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
With demand on the grid spiking, the last thing states should do is cut efficiency programs. And yet, that is exactly what some are doing! Read my latest @evergreenaction.bsky.social post to find out what states should do instead to lower costs. www.evergreencollaborative.com/news/power-d...
evergreencollaborative.com
Power Demand Is Spiking—Cutting Energy Efficiency Is the Last Thing We Should Do - Evergreen Collaborative
Raiding funds for energy efficiency is foolish. States should double down on efficiency, and fund ratepayer relief from data centers instead.
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Fossil fuel interests want to keep you hooked on gas. Astroturfed AI campaigns were used to defeat clean air rules that would protect Californians’ health. @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov: “Top law enforcement officials should be investigating” writes Mary Nichols. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
latimes.com
Contributor: Investigate the AI campaigns flooding public agencies with fake comments
Recent campaigns for corporate interests hit new lows in their attempts to misrepresent the will of the people and deceive officials.
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Maryland should be investing now to lower people's energy bills. “Upgrading low-income homes alone in Maryland with highly efficient heat pumps can provide $145 million annual health savings,” writes @laurelpeltier.bsky.social www.baltimoresun.com/2026/03/19/m...
baltimoresun.com
Marylanders deserve new home heating technology to deliver savings | GUEST COMMENTARY
Opinion: New home heating technology is the answer to Marylanders’ surging energy bills.
001
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Power companies are celebrating record profits while families suffer. Where’s the accountability? Check out how much of your bill is going to utility profits. #PeopleOverProfits utilityprofittracker.org
utilityprofittracker.org
How Much Do Utilities Profit from Your Electric Bill?
See how much of your monthly electric bill goes to your utility's profits. An interactive tool from the Energy and Policy Institute.
010
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
🚨New analysis from @synapseenergy.bsky.social: New York families could save at least $341 a year on their energy bills by 2030 with these key reforms. Here's how they do it ⬇️ evrgn.co/NYreport
evrgn.co
Making Energy More Affordable in New York
On behalf of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Evergreen Collaborative, Synapse examine strategies to improve energy affordability for New York households. As electricity prices and ess...
042
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
As New York debates cap-and-invest, a new report shows what’s at stake. The program would move $3B off utility bills and deliver about $270 in annual rebates to 6.5M+ households—while also cutting pollution and creating more union jobs. www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2026/...
cityandstateny.com
Activists dispute Hochul’s claims about cost of complying with climate law
A new report highlights potential benefits of a cap-and-invest program, including energy rebates for millions of households.
041
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Appliance Standards Awareness Project @asapstandards.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Ahead of House Vote, Consumer Groups Warn H.R. 4626 Threatens Consumer Savings. Without existing standards, the typical US household would have spent an additional $6,000 on utility bills over the past decade. advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...
advocacy.consumerreports.org
Ahead of House Vote, Consumer Groups Warn H.R. 4626 Threatens Consumer Savings - CR Advocacy
Proposal could weaken appliance efficiency standards, raising utility bill costs for households across America. Washington, D.C. – The US House is expected to vote this…
134
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
The Wisconsin story is simple: utilities are using data center demand to justify building gas plants that raise bills. The cheapest power on the grid? Renewables. Clean energy = cheap energy. tonemadison.com/articles/wis...
tonemadison.com
Wisconsin energy utilities sacrifice affordability and sustainability to fuel the AI gold rush
Gas plants used to power data centers increase costs for consumers, risk of exposure to pollutants, and accelerate the harms of climate change.
054
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
An AI-powered email campaign leveraged fake comments and killed clean air rules in Los Angeles -- which means pollution will keep killing thousands of people. Fossil Fuel industry astroturfing schemes kill people and make us all less healthy. This must be stopped! www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Southern California air board rejected pollution rules after AI-generated flood of comments
SoCal’s pollution authority scrapped a plan to phase out gas-powered appliances after receiving more than 20,000 emails sent by an AI-powered platform called CiviClick.
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
A heat pump boom is creating Bay Area jobs in the trades. New @airdistrict.bsky.social clean air standards starting in 2027 will create demand for skilled installers, creating opportunities for workers in the trades. www.nbcbayarea.com/video/news/l...
nbcbayarea.com
Young workers helping homeowners switch to clean energy
A Bay Area clean energy company is training young workers for the growing green workforce.
000
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Customers are in an affordability crisis and falling behind on utility bills. Meanwhile utilities double down and increase spending on an obsolete gas system, driving up gas prices -- up 11% in 2025 alone! Time for utility accountability. Not more corporate profits. heatmap.news/sparks/power...
heatmap.news
Utilities Asked for a Lot More Money From Ratepayers Last Year
A new PowerLines report puts the total requested increases at $31 billion — more than double the number from 2024.
121
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
📣 Republicans are (finally) realizing that Trump's attacks on clean energy are hurting families: "The loss in the workforce and lost wages and the uncertainty for families... they could look at the President and say he canceled our project because it was solar" - Sen. Capito
032
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Developers are building houses that cost less by skipping the gas hookup. Saves time and money and lowers utility bills! www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/c...
nytimes.com
Why a New Mexico Developer Quit Natural Gas
141
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Heat pump customers are being over charged for electricity! New electricity rates could charge that. Excited to be working on this policy in Maryland. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/u...
nytimes.com
Why Some Cold States Are Making It Cheaper to Run a Heat Pump
001
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Heat pumps and weatherization are key solutions to supporting grid reliability and household safety. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | It’s Very Cold. Just Wait for the Grid to Fail.
011
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Its a travesty that people are dying because their homes aren't well insulated. This can and must be fixed. www.aceee.org/blog-post/20...
aceee.org
Our Homes Aren't Ready for Extreme Cold and Power Outages
Americans in poorly insulated and leaky homes without power are facing dangerous indoor temperatures.
010
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Don't count on fossil fuels to keep the lights on in cold weather! open.substack.com/pub/thepower...
open.substack.com
Fossil Fuels Failed During Winter Storm Fern
Power plant outages in America's largest grid show we can't depend upon fossil fuels
000
Reposted by Tony Sirna
Evergreen Action @evergreenaction.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Capture-and-kill tactics. Patent hoarding. Hacking journalists. According to MI AG Dana Nessel’s new lawsuit, these are some of the “cartel”-style tactics Big Oil has used to block clean energy and send costs for Michigan families sky-high. Thanks to @miattygen.bsky.social for fighting back 💪
142
Tony Sirna @sirnatony.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
It was so great to be on the Maryland Energy Talk podcast with @jamiedemarco.bsky.social and @ruthannnorton.bsky.social, talking about how Maryland is taking the lead in upgrading people's homes to clean, efficient, and affordable heat pumps! demarcoadvocacy.substack.com/p/what-is-a-...
demarcoadvocacy.substack.com
What is a Zero-Emission Heating Equipment Standard?
Listen now | How Maryland is moving forward with the gold-standard of building policies
023