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August 2022
Historically marginalized and/or excluded communities experience disproportionate harms from our energy system. Research has shown that the harmful environmental impacts of the energy system are more likely to be concentrated in communities of color, and that these same communities are more likely to experience higher energy burdens causing them to spend more income on energy bills than the average household. Energy efficiency programs have the ability to help combat these injustices, if policymakers and program implementers take steps to center equity in program design and implementation. Energy equity in energy efficiency programs means providing equal access to the benefits of energy efficiency programs and meeting customers where they are by designing programs that meet the needs of various communities. Expanding the objectives of energy efficiency programs to include energy equity will require changes in how programs are designed, executed, and evaluated. This report will look specifically at how program changes in the evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) process can center equity in design. EM&V will be an important tool in centering equity because it relies on the collection and analysis of metrics or data to measure program success. Data is important because it illustrates policy decisions with numbers and helps hold programs and institutions accountable in new ways. This report provides six ways that policy makers and program administrators can identify, embed, and evaluate progress towards energy equity in energy efficiency programs through the evaluation, measurement, and verification process: 1. Creating a Process for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement 2. Identifying Disparities with an Equity Gap Analysis 3. Adjusting for Equity in Cost-Benefit Analysis 4. Identifying Equity-Centered Tracking Metrics 5. Creating Equity-Centered Program Goals 6. Performance Incentives that Align with Equity Priorities
February 2022
In this, our first Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP), Puget Sound Energy (PSE) moves further and faster to a carbon-neutral future than ever before. PSE recognizes the urgent nature of our climate crisis and seeks to be part of the solution to build an equitable clean energy future. We will achieve carbon neutrality in our electric supply portfolio by 2030, consistent with state law, and reach 100 percent renewable or non-emitting electric supply by 2045, if not sooner. This 2021 CEIP describes PSE’s initial plan to implement the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) for 2022–2025. It charts new directions in our electricity supply, includes new voices in the process, and seeks to achieve affordable, clean electricity, and an electric supply that benefits our customers and reduces burdens on our vulnerable customers. It also reflects stakeholder input and feedback that resulted in substantive changes between the draft and final plan. This first CEIP is an important milestone in PSE’s efforts to address climate change and reach our aspirational goal to be a beyond net-zero carbon company by 2045.
December 2021
In February 2021 ACEEE kicked off our two-year Leading with Equity Initiative, with the goal of defining and driving toward equitable energy efficiency policy and programs at the state, local, and utility levels. To this end, initiative team members from ACEEE, Kinetic Communities Consulting, and Applied Economics Clinic engaged in a collaborative process through two cohorts—one of community-based organizations (CBOs) and advocates, and one of utilities and energy efficiency program implementers—to identify metrics that capture progress toward deployment of energy efficiency policies and programs that are inclusive and prioritize equity.1 The initiative aimed to ensure CBOs and disinvested community interests are represented in and driving development of improved equity-centered metrics for ACEEE scorecards while also increasing our understanding of current utility, state, and city capacity to report on desired metrics, including barriers and leverage points.
January 2020
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a hands-on resource for your city or region to develop a community engagement work plan for building electrification with equity as a lens. It is designed for both city officials developing building electrification policies and programs, as well as, community-led organizations and climate justice organizations who can partner with cities and towns and become key leaders in the process of community outreach, engagement and strategy development. Working together, city officials and community led organizations can jointly develop strategies, actions and policy recommendations that advance effective equitable climate solutions.
Electrify Everything! A Practical Guide to Ditching Your Gas Meter
May 2020
This article discusses a path to achieving complete electrification. Additionally, the article provides the contractor and consumer perspectives of electrification, and explores ways to influence those groups to embrace electrification.
Electrify everything, or aim for beneficial electrification?
April 2020
This article from The Climate Center supports the idea of building grid efficiency rather than complete electrification. The author suggests a holistic evaluation of sectors when determining electrification solutions.
Getting The Most Out of Your Heat Pump
April 2020
This guide, written for homeowners, reviews best practices regarding the use, appliance care, and energy savings for heat pumps.
Saul Griffith wants to electrify everything and rewire America
November 2020
This article introduces Saul Griffith, author of Rewiring America: A Field Manual for the Climate Fight, and his goal of total electrification. Griffith has calculated the job market impacts of near 100% electrification by 2050 and found that 5 million more American jobs would be created, compared to the current fossil-fuel-dominated energy industry.
Rewiring America: A Field Manual for the Climate Fight
July 2020
This book calculates the cost to implement electrification technology and details a feasible path to 100% electrification across all sectors. The author also includes recommendations for consumer action and policy to facilitate nationwide electrification.
Reports and Analyses
March 2021
This webpage provides reports that analyze policy, survey results, technologies, and best practices regarding the electrification of cars, buses, trucks, and fuel.
Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap
December 2020
This report was commissioned by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to create a roadmap for the state to achieve its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This report provides technological context for future policy development, explores a range of pathways, and maintains flexibility for stakeholders in terms of strategy implementation. Additionally, the report includes integrated cross-sector energy system analyses, four state-specific sector analyses, potential carbon sequestration solutions, and economic and health impact analysis.
D.P.U. 20-80
October 2020
This official order from the Department of Public Utilities marks the commencement of an investigation into the role of gas distribution companies in working towards 2050 state emissions goals. This order requires each gas distribution company to work with an independent consultant to identify pathways to net-zero emissions, engage in a stakeholder process to gain feedback, and submit a proposal for their course of action to the Department of Public Utilities for review.
Docket No. PUR-2020-00274
December 2020
In Virginia, Dominion Energy filed for approval of 11 Demand-Side Management programs intended to begin in 2021. Included in these programs is a demand response residential water savings program, which incentivizes the installation of smart communicating water heating technology, and an energy efficiency smart home program, which incentivizes the purchase of smart control technologies.
Docket No. E-22 Sub 595
November 2020
In North Carolina, Dominion Energy filed an application for a residential smart thermostat demand response program. The program was approved and will provide customers with a $54 rebate to incentivize the purchase of a smart thermostat which will be utilized to manage load reduction during times of peak demand.
Docket No. E-22 Sub 594
November 2020
In North Carolina, Dominion Energy filed an application for a residential smart thermostat demand response program. The program was approved and will provide customers $35 annually in exchange for their participation in load reduction measures during peak demand beginning in March 2021.
Massachusetts asks utilities for ways to avoid bill spikes from EV fast-charging
February 2021
This article reviews recent Massachusetts legislation that is designed to spur utility rate design innovation and urge the alleviation of the financial burden placed on electric vehicle (EV) owners. The use of fast-chargers requires a significant amount of energy in a short amount of time, which incurs high demand charges and causes electricity bills to skyrocket. This state legislation asks utilities to form their own plans to solve this issue, as older demand charge rates are not compatible with transportation electrification infrastructure and will hinder EV adoption in the state.
Facing an EV boom, AEP, Duke, 4 other utilities unveil plan for multi-regional charging network
March 2021
This article reviews a recent multi-utility plan to unite in creating electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging throughout the South, Midwest, Gulf, and Central Plains regions. Duke Energy, American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Entergy Corporation, Southern Company, and the Tennessee Valley Authority plan to team up as The Electric Highway Coalition to provide adequate charging infrastructure for current EV owners, alleviate range anxiety, and prepare for a boom in EV adoption. The article reviews the actions the utilities are taking to implement their plan.
Advocates say pandemic highlights need for equity in electric transportation
July 2020
This article reviews the disproportionate impacts of transportation on different racial communities and the necessity to focus transportation electrification efforts in BIPOC communities. The pollution from transportation, among many other sectors, disproportionately impacts Black, Latinx, and other communities, and exacerbates respiratory health issues, which puts BIPOC people at an increased risk of COVID-19 virus complications. The article also reviews holistic approaches to electrifying transportation in the most polluted areas and stakeholder perspectives.
New England Electrification Load Forecast
May 2020
This report, prepared by Synapse Energy Economics for E4TheFuture, evaluates the thermal and transportation electrification markets in New England and forecasts the impact of low, middle, and high adoption scenarios on electric demand through 2030. The report also examines two important factors in adoption: technological advancement and state policy. The report predicts that electrification will not threaten the power grid system.
Chicago microgrid project attempts to balance corporate, community needs
February 2021
This article evaluates ComEd's development of their relationship with the Bronzeville community and highlights the Bronzeville Microgrid pilot, which includes a battery storage facility and mural. The article highlights the utility's community engagement approach during their pilot planning process and following microgrid deployment. Additionally, local advocates provided suggestions for utilities in their future community-engagement endeavors.
In Chicago, 'charging deserts' part of racial divide on electric vehicles
December 2020
This article evaluates the distribution and accessibility of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Chicago. Far fewer stations are available in BIPOC communities, adding to the existing barriers of EV adoption. This article evaluates the legislation passed by Illinois and the Chicago City Council to work towards equal accessibility to EV infrastructure, and reviews a potential pathway to EV adoption in BIPOC communities.
Electrification Futures Study
March 2021
This NREL webpage contains links to technical reports, informational webinars, and data associated with the Electrification Futures Study series. These resources shed light on electric technology costs and performance, projected electric technology adoption and power consumption, long-term power system impacts of electrification, and the future evolution of the power system.
So, What Exactly is Building Electrification?
June 2020
This article provides a foundation for learning about building electrification. The author provides a basic introduction, reviews technology used to electrify buildings, evaluates the benefits and challenges, and examines which factors will facilitate widespread building electrification.
