Source: Greenlining Institute

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Energy Equity

The empirical and qualitative measurement of access to the energy system to prioritize the inclusion of climate-impacted communities. This inclusion builds access to clean energy and participation in the public and private energy sector. 

Learning Resources

Learn about Energy Equity with Energy Allies!

VIDEO

DW Planet A

How and why rich countries should pay climate reparations.

REPORT

California Department of Energy

Learn how energy equity is quantified with the State of California’s government indicators

GUIDE

ACEEE

Many groups have historically been underserved by energy efficiency and clean energy programs, including Black communities, Indigenous communities, people of color, low-income individuals, youth, older adults, recently arrived immigrants, those with limited English proficiency, and people with disabilities.

DATA

NREL

Compare access and inclusion of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transportation across the United States with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) SLOPE Data Viewer.

REPORT

ACEEE

This 2021 report finds that the cities and states most highly-rated for energy efficiency offer programs for low-income community members, but fail to take the critical actions necessary for equitable evaluation and reporting to facilitate equitable outcomes.

MAP

Energy Equity Project

This 2023 Prototype map from the Energy Equity Project of the University of Michigan allows you to select up to 2 datasets around energy data and demographics you want to explore. You can also click on a county to zoom in on a census tract to see the data.

REPORT

Energy Trust Blog

The African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) is promoting energy efficiency, climate justice, and green energy in Portland’s historically Black communities. By forming partnerships with local organizations and programs, AAAH has also brought solar energy and heat pump education to their community. Next year, the program will expand thanks to a grant from the Portland Clean Energy Fund, which is paid for through a tax on the most profitable companies in Portland every year and  aims to promote energy efficiency, climate justice and green energy adoption among its clients. 

An Equity-First Commitment

Energy equity is imperative to energy justice work as it recognizes that the harms of climate change are the most severe for people of color – where climate-impacted communities encounter increased levels of pollution, less access to energy-efficient housing, transportation, and overall underinvestment in clean energy infrastructure. Achieving energy equity requires new and innovative systems, technology, procedures and policies that create a just distribution of benefits in the energy system. 
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