The Climate Alliance, composed of governors from 25 states in the United States, announced that it will vigorously promote the deployment of 20 million heat pumps by 2030. This will be four times the 4.8 million heat pumps already installed in the United States by 2020.

An energy-efficient alternative to fossil fuel boilers and air conditioners, heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat, either heating a building when it’s cold outside or cooling it when it’s hot outside. According to the International Energy Agency, heat pumps can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to gas boilers, and can reduce emissions by 80% when using clean electricity. According to the International Energy Agency, building operations account for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Heat pumps can also save consumers money. The International Energy Agency says that in places with high natural gas prices, such as Europe, owning a heat pump can save users about $900 a year; in the United States, it saves about $300 a year.

The 25 states that will install 20 million heat pumps by 2030 represent 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the population. “I believe all Americans have certain rights, and among them are the right to life, the right to liberty and the right to pursue heat pumps,” said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat. “The reason this is so important to Americans is simple: We We want warm winters, we want cool summers, we want to prevent climate breakdown year-round. No greater invention has come in human history than the heat pump, not only because it can heat in the winter but also cool in the summer.” UK Slee said the naming of this greatest invention of all time was “a bit unfortunate” because although it was called a “heat pump,” it could actually heat as well as cool.

States in the U.S. Climate Alliance will pay for these heat pump installations through fiscal incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and policy efforts by each state in the alliance. Maine, for example, has had significant success installing heat pumps through its own legislative action.