Initiative for Energy Justice

Across the United States, low-income households spend nearly 3X more of their income on energy bills than higher-income families. The Solar for All program was designed to change this reality, bringing savings and stability to one million households historically excluded from clean energy benefits. With potential savings of $400 annually per household and increased resilience against outages, recent funding freezes threaten the program's success just as communities see the first success stories emerge. Read our latest blog to see what we're losing and how you can support energy justice in your community: https://lnkd.in/e8VfQspX #EnergyJustice #EnergyResilience #SolarPower #SolarForAll #CleanEnergy

The future of $97 billion in clean energy investments is in limbo as new executive orders attempt to reshape the Department of Energy's blueprint for Community Benefit Plans. As the clean energy transition faces new federal policy hurdles, understanding these changes is crucial for project developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Our latest analysis examines: - The changes the new Executive Orders introduce - How grantees and states are responding - Possible legal recourse grantees have 🔍 Read our detailed analysis: https://lnkd.in/enVwPcQs What are your thoughts on these policy shifts? #EnergyPolicy #CleanEnergy #CommunityBenefitPlans #PolicyAnalysis #EnergyTransition

🌍🌱 The previous administration’s environmental justice achievements require us to defend and advocate for equitable inclusion and lasting benefits for frontline communities. At IEJ, we're proud to have contributed to Just Solutions latest report, "Defending and Advancing Climate Justice Policies." This collaborative effort by policy experts from environmental, climate, racial, public health, housing, and economic justice sectors to address potential critical challenges to climate, energy, and environmental justice in the United States under a second Trump Administration. The report also proposes mitigating actions to address these threats, including at the state and local levels, as well as strategic litigation and federal oversight actions. Read the report and learn more about this collaborative effort → https://lnkd.in/ebQ2s-z6 #DefendingAndAdvancingClimateJustice #DefendingClimateJustice #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateJustice #FederalClimatePolicy #ClimateSolutions #FrontlineCommunities

How can we make renewable energy that works for everyone? This High Country News article shows how. Communities, officials & developers are finding new ways to collaborate on clean energy projects, addressing community needs through CBAs and putting local voices at the center of the planning process. The result? Sustainable projects that create real benefits for neighborhoods, leading to a more equitable transition to renewable energy. Read the full story here ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/g-CvuVv5

In the late 1990s, residents & community groups raised concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the expansion of the Los Angeles International Airport. Their voices led to the formation of the LAX Coalition, which negotiated a $500M CBA with Los Angeles World Airports. The results? ✔️ $230M allocated for soundproofing schools in the flight path. ✔️ Job training and local hiring programs. ✔️ Environmental protections that benefit local communities. This historic agreement highlights the role of CBAs in achieving energy and environmental justice.   Download our recent white paper and discover how community-driven coalitions influence local infrastructure projects to achieve energy justice. Get the White Paper Now → https://lnkd.in/gkwh7CXS #EnergyJustice #EnvironmentalEquity #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityPower #CommunityBenefitsAgreement #LosAngeles 

Despite recent political shifts, we can continue to reshape our energy systems through innovative and community-centered policies driven from community and state levels. Michigan’s renewable energy mandate is a success story, showcasing how state-level action can advance energy justice by ensuring that large-scale energy projects directly benefit local communities. Key features of Michigan’s model include: - Direct financial support: Developers must pay $2,000 per megawatt of energy capacity to host communities, ensuring a tangible local benefit. - Flexibility in benefits allocation: If the host community declines to negotiate, a CBA is required with community-based organizations, maintaining accountability. - Focus on equity: Provisions are in place to ensure that historically underserved populations aren’t left behind in the clean energy transition. Michigan’s story is a prime example of how state-level innovation can advance energy justice—setting an example for others to follow despite the lack of federal alignment. 📘 Learn more about Michigan’s Community Benefits Agreements and other  successful state-level CBAs: https://lnkd.in/eScHY8SF #EnergyJustice #EnvironmentalEquity #SustainableDevelopment #EnergyPolicy #CommunityPower 

We're delighted to welcome Evelyn Mayo, AICP as a new Senior Policy Analyst at IEJ! Evelyn brings a decade of experience advancing environmental justice through grassroots organizing, policy development, and education. Evelyn brings invaluable expertise from founding the Urban Research Initiative at Paul Quinn College and co-founding RAYO Planning. Her background includes developing environmental justice programs, mentoring HBCU students, and driving equitable urban planning initiatives across North Texas. She holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from UT Arlington and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Columbia University. Based in Dallas, TX, her deep expertise will strengthen our research and analysis work. Welcome to the team, Evelyn! 🎉

We’re excited to introduce Alison Coffey, PhD as a new Senior Policy Analyst on our team! Alison brings over a decade of experience conducting community-centered climate research with frontline communities, focusing on advancing climate, economic, and racial justice. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, where her research explored the social impacts of climate-driven displacement and housing insecurity. Alison also holds a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and a B.A. from Tufts University. Previously, Alison was a Research Associate at the MIT Community Innovators Lab, leading participatory research with grassroots leaders to create more equitable economic systems across the U.S. and Latin America. Based in Austin, TX, Alison’s expertise and dedication will be key in advancing our mission. Please join us in welcoming Alison to the team! 👏 #EnergyJustice #TeamIEJ #Welcome

📢 Proud to share this recent piece from our Co-Executive Director Kelly Sheehan in Common Dreams on how Community Benefits Agreements are reshaping the clean energy landscape for justice and equity.  Read it now: https://lnkd.in/eKixG27p #EnergyJustice #CommunityBenefits #Justice40 #JustTransition #RenewableEnergy 

As 2025 begins, the clean energy transition is speeding up—but how can we ensure it’s fair for everyone? A recent Utility Dive article highlights a crucial challenge: balancing the urgency of clean energy projects with the need to protect and uplift historically marginalized communities. Equitable permitting reform isn’t just about moving faster—it’s about justice. Policies must prioritize community input, environmental safeguards, and fairness for those most affected by energy infrastructure. At IEJ, we’re committed to making clean energy work for everyone. Equity must remain at the heart of every decision. 🔗 Explore the article and share your perspective: https://lnkd.in/emzqRBa2 What is the key to ensuring equitable permitting in clean energy projects? Let us know below! #EnergyJustice #CleanEnergy #EquityInAction #PolicyChange