Equity impacts
EJ communities are often left behind in the expansion of energy grid technology and economic opportunities. Financial burdens and potential gentrification pose common barriers or impacts. Engagement can be reactive, doing little to empower EJ communities, who then miss out on resiliency benefits.
Recommendations
- Consider EJ communities as a green workforce, and consider affordable payment options or ways to enable community ownership over clean energy.
- Consider EJ communities’ access to clean energy and how these projects could affect neighborhood affordability.
- Reflect the urgent needs of EJ communities in planning and implementing clean energy expansion.
- Promote initiatives like community solar or clean energy integrated into affordable housing to shift energy ownership into the hands of the community.
- Ensure that all neighborhoods are equitably equipped for climate resilience or natural disasters.
Not traceable in the final text. ES-3-3 requires community engagement in integrated resource plans.