Grist
Department of Energy
Hernández et. al
Maxim and Grubert
Urban Institute
Energy Equity Project
Maxim and Grubert
Systemic racism and systems of oppression perpetuate inequities that impact the percentage of income households spend on energy costs. This ratio, known as energy burden, is significantly higher in climate-impacted communities. Households with higher energy burdens are more likely to stay in cycles of poverty.
Energy Burden
The impacts of high energy burdens are stark. Households experiencing higher energy burdens are more likely to live in older, inefficient housing stock which may result in additional adverse health impacts. High energy burdens can also lead to negative mental health impacts due to uncertainty around heating and cooling costs.
The likelihood that energy insecure households’ energy bills will exceed their ability to pay is determined more by the weatherization and condition of their homes than household income.
U.S. households report difficulty paying their electricity bills
The median household energy burden is 3.1%, however income-qualified communities experience energy burden as high as 8.1%
Energy burden for Black and Latinx households is 43% higher than white households.
Energy burdens can help to show which groups are being left out of energy-related policies and programs. High energy burden is considered greater than 6% of income spent on energy costs.
Read blogs written by our inspiring young Fellows during their paid, part-time experiences with us and staff working to build resources for energy justice.
At Lighting the Path, you will have the opportunity to hear from AAPI leaders who will share their home island’s knowledge and experiences. Join us for Lighting the Path: AAPI Leaders Powering Up the Energy Justice Movement on May 24, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM to explore the rich history of islands around the world, and how it has led to a powerful movement for energy justice.
At Lighting the Path, you will have the opportunity to hear from AAPI leaders who will share their home island’s knowledge and experiences. Join us for Lighting the Path: AAPI Leaders Powering Up the Energy Justice Movement on May 24, 2024 from 2:30 – 3:30 PM to explore the rich history of islands around the world, and how it has led to a powerful movement for energy justice.
In this webinar, hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance, representatives from Solstice Initiative will present their research findings with commentary from Energy Outreach Colorado and Loyola University Chicago, and NYC Environmental Justice Alliance.
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