- Guiding principles for recognition, procedural, distributional and restorative dimensions of energy equity
- Review of 148 proposed energy equity measures, with accompanying resources and implementation guidance
- Big picture energy equity takeaways and ideas for how to get started
Welcome to the Energy Equity Project
Join us as we embark on a national, collaborative journey to create a standardized framework for equity measurement, reporting, and tracking that drives clean energy investment and impact for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and frontline communities.
Project Overview
The Energy Equity Project (EEP) is a collective, national endeavor to develop a framework for measuring and advancing energy equity.
We believe that the presence of an equity measurement framework for clean energy programs will improve outcomes for BIPOC, lower-income and frontline environmental justice communities. These communities have historically borne the brunt of environmental harms without partaking in the benefits of more efficient, less polluting, and more affordable forms of energy.
The framework involves two elements: 1) An interactive map of energy equity data, by census tract, and 2) A report that outlines guiding principles, quantitative metrics, and qualitative best practices for the four dimensions of energy equity: Recognition, Procedural, Distributional and Restorative.
Following a summer of extensive community engagement and listening sessions (2021), 45 energy equity leaders came together to review listening session feedback, define energy equity dimensions and sub-dimensions, and develop recommendations and guidance for metrics and best practices to include in the final framework. The majority of these leaders are women and people of color; they represent a wide array of grassroots community organizations, non-profits, universities, government, regulatory agencies, and consultants.
The release of the EEP Framework (August 2022) is the culmination of their extensive efforts over the last year. It is also a work in progress, and a framework that needs users to explore how it might be used in a variety of contexts. Please join our network to hear about opportunities to partner with us and reach out if you have specific ideas or requests.
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Energy Equity Project Updates
Our Latest News
- Why Do We Still Have Energy Shutoffs? Another World is Possible.By Justin B. Schott | November 14, 2022 It is straightforward: An energy system that actively subsidizes clean energy investments for the rich and for corporations while actively depriving poor people from simply accessing heat and electricity is not just. This shouldContinue reading “Why Do We Still Have Energy Shutoffs? Another World is Possible.”
- OPINION: Beyond lip service: It’s time to measure equity in clean energy investmentsBy Justin B. Schott | July 9, 2021 Imagine an aspiring Olympian training to contend for a medal, but being deprived of a stopwatch until after the race began. That is the current state of measuring equity in clean energyContinue reading “OPINION: Beyond lip service: It’s time to measure equity in clean energy investments”
- U-M Energy Equity Project Partners in Developing Inclusive Decarbonization Policies for the FutureBy Haley Riley, MS Candidate | May 27, 2021 The Biden administration’s recommitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change has inspired experts and organizations focused on net-zero energy production to plan for the implementation of decarbonization technologies. On May 25-26,Continue reading “U-M Energy Equity Project Partners in Developing Inclusive Decarbonization Policies for the Future”
- U-M Energy Equity Project to Develop First Standardized Tool for Driving Equity in Clean Energy IndustryANN ARBOR—Despite widespread calls for a just transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems, there isn’t a standardized measurement framework for evaluating the equity of clean energy programs. As a result, utility administrators, regulators, and energy advocates have been judgingContinue reading “U-M Energy Equity Project to Develop First Standardized Tool for Driving Equity in Clean Energy Industry”
- Funding secured for equity metrics framework developmentThe Energy Equity Project is happy to announce that it has received funding from Energy Foundation and the Joyce Foundation to support our team in developing the clean energy industry equity metrics framework (EMF).
- Group lays groundwork for equity metrics frameworkIn 2018, about 40 people gathered to lay the groundwork for development of a standardized approach to collecting, reporting and utility demographic variables to improve equity in clean energy programs. Coming out of that gathering, several staff from VEIC, Efficiency forContinue reading “Group lays groundwork for equity metrics framework”