Full Title: Energy Justice and the Energy Transition
Author(s): Christopher McMichael
Publisher(s): National Conference of State Legislatures
Publication Date: April 30, 2022
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Energy justice is an emerging topic that is receiving attention at the federal and state levels. The U.S. Department of Energy is actively working to implement the Biden administration’s Justice40 Initiative, a goal that 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities. At the state level, some state legislatures have considered measures related to energy justice. Building off the tenets of environmental justice, energy justice refers to the concepts of equity, affordability, accessibility and participation in the energy system and energy transition regardless of race, nationality, income or geographic location.
Advocates for energy justice promote policy measures aimed at reducing energy costs and burdens on low-income customers, avoiding disproportionate impacts and ensuring the equitable distribution of the benefits of energy generation, transmission and transition, access to reliable and clean energy, and participation for communities in energy sector decision-making and development. This paper will examine recent state policy related to energy justice, including energy affordability, infrastructure siting, community renewable energy development, and the incorporation of energy justice considerations into broader emissions reduction and renewable energy programs.