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Squatting for survival in Philadelphia: What it’s like to live in a ‘takeover house’

The article goes in-depth about the history of squatting in the city of Philadelphia and the situations that lead to squatting in cities like Philadelphia with high unemployment, homelessness, transient or intermittent housing, and high percentages of low-income households (Chicago for example...Read more

Without action on climate change, heat is projected to become major global killer

This article talks about several studies documenting the impacts we are going to face if we do not address extreme heat now. That said, projections show that, without any measures taken to address extreme heat, climate change will increase annual deaths by heat that are comparable to annual...Read more

Additional LIHEAP funding urged for struggling families as Senate considers more COVID-19 relief

Proponents are advocating for a new round of federal funding for LIHEAP on account of the economic downturn that the nation faces due to COVID-19. They state that around $4.3 billion of funding is needed to protect struggling consumers in the coming months when utility shut-off moratoria...Read more

As water bills rise, PWSA ramps up efforts to help low-income customers

Water rates have inflated four times faster since 2017. In city’s neighborhoods, 1 in 5 customers spent 10% or more of their income on water. PWSA (Pittsburgh’s local water supplier) has sent shutoff notices to 20% of their nearly 8000 customers who fell behind on their bills. Payment...Read more

Ideas we should steal: Community solar power

This article discuss a community solar project in East Parkside, as well as state policies that are preventing the project from moving forward.Read more

State Legislature to investigate ConEd, utility companies’ response to Tropical Storm Isaias

Cuomo has taken the aftermath of the storm very seriously and wants to get at the heart of the poor response from ConEd and other energy providers. ConEd is specifically highlighted, but the article underscores the difference preparedness would have made for the storm's response. Additionally,...Read more

Making sense of the eviction crisis

This article details the ever-pressing housing crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. That being said, even while specific and targeted assistance was set aside for homeless and transient homeless people, it was limited to only half a million counted homeless people, when in reality...Read more

Connecticut residents still in the dark days after Isaias, as officials criticize utility companies' storm response

This article is particularly interesting in its details of the impacts Isaias has had on Connecticut communities. Relevant to this research study is the article's inferences on energy systems being old and vulnerable to tropical storms like Isaias, which will be increasing in the coming years...Read more

Bice: Supervisor apologizes for using Cardi B's raunchy 'WAP' video to promote county weatherization program

This article discusses a recent public official's mishandling of WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) marketing. As often discussed by the Energy Vulnerability Project, energy assistance programs are not often widely known by those who need it. Such limited knowledge of the assistance...Read more

Pennsylvania driver among 5 dead after Isaias hits East Coast

This article briefly notes the devastating effects the tropical storm Isaias and the ways in which the storm has swept the East coast entirely. Underlying vulnerabilities to think about are preparedness on the part of the municipalities, housing stock, and its vulnerability to a heavy storm like...Read more

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