Independent Energy Control
There are other types of utilities, including cooperative utilities, which are private companies that are communally-owned, and publicly-owned utilities, which are non-profit and completely government operated.
Author: Wahlund and Palm
Energy Democracy
A movement to decentralize the energy system by centering communities in the ownership and access of clean, affordable energy.
Learning Resources
Learn about Energy Democracy with Energy Allies!
GUIDE
Indigenous Environmental Network
Learn from the Indigenous Environmental Network
GUIDE
Climate Justice Alliance
Energy Democracy represents a shift from the corporate, centralized fossil fuel economy to one that is governed by communities, is designed on the principle of no harm to the environment, supports local economies, and contributes to the health and well-being for all peoples.
GUIDE
Local Clean Energy Alliance
Energy Democracy means a decentralized energy system, one characterized by social and community-based control and ownership of energy resources
SCORECARD
Emerald Cities Collaborative
Check out the Energy Democracy Scorecard curated by the Emerald Cities Collaborative that assesses key principles including social justice, regenerative energy systems, moral economy, and co-governance to determine how well energy democracy is being achieved in your community.
ZINE
Energy Democracy Project
The Energy Democracy Project and partners developed this zine to break down Energy Democracy.
ARTICLE
Energy News Network
The ‘Community of the Future’ is being designed in Bronzeville. The local utility, ComEd and the Department of Energy are building a microgrid in Chicago’s ‘Black Metropolis.’ Learn more about Bronzeville in the full Energy News Network article by Audrey Henderson.
ARTICLE
Union of Concerned Scientitst
Taller Salud, a community-based non-profit in Loíza, who teamed up with Afro-Puerto Rican female leaders to create a recovery plan for the community. Despite being abandoned by the federal government, the residents of Loíza never gave up. They came together to provide food, water, and support the community. Learn how Taller Salud is building resilience through Afro-Puerto Rican female leadership and knowledge in this article by Juan Declet-Barreto.
Community Partners
Energy Allies and our partners are building a movement to democratize energy systems.
PARTNER
New York Energy Democracy Alliance
Related Resources
Energy Democracy
Essential in understanding the movement of energy democracy is to understand the structures of who currently control our energy systems. Most people in the U.S. get their energy from investor-owned utilities (IOUs), privately-owned whose foremost goal is maximizing profit for their shareholders. This privatized structure gives little opportunity for the public input and often favors powerful interests like the fossil fuel industry over the public interest. In striving towards energy democracy, communities leverage voice and agency to shape a more resilient energy future.
While these alternative utility structures do not guarantee clean and affordable energy access (some are still heavily reliant on and influenced by fossil fuels) they allow for direct public input and open the door for communities to advocate for the type of power they want.
