Energy is a fundamental need for human life. It powers our homes, businesses, and transportation, and without it, society could not function. Unfortunately, the cost of energy is a burden for many people, especially those in low-income and rural communities. According to a study, these communities can spend up to 30% of their income on energy, while the average American spends only 3%. This disparity is a significant issue that exposes many families to choices that should not have to be made.
Families with high energy burdens are disproportionately people of color, nurses, veterans, and schoolteachers. They are unable to afford energy for their most basic needs, which can lead to dangerous incidents such as bypassing the meter to keep their family comfortable for one more day. Families with high energy burdens have a greater likelihood of conditions like heart disease and asthma. This is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.
The technology to address these systemic inequities is here. The cost of renewables, insulation, microgrids, and smart home technology are all decreasing. However, even as we approach cost parity, the majority of those who own solar earn much more than the average American. This is why the nonprofit RETI was founded. Its mission is to alleviate energy burdens by working with communities, utilities, and government agencies alike to provide equitable access to clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy technology.
There is no one way to solve this issue, but RETI believes in the power of local communities and the transforming effect of relationships. They start by working directly with the communities that have the highest energy burdens. They host workshops and events for communities to learn about energy poverty, and how making even small updates to their homes like better insulation for windows and water heaters can go a long way to maximize efficiency. They are connecting neighborhoods to community solar and spearheading community-led smart home research and installation programs to help families bring down their energy bills.
RETI is even working directly with elected officials, advocating for more equitable pricing, because to see this vision of energy equity and resilience succeed, we have to work together sustainably. The US spends over three billion a year on energy bill payment assistance, and these programs do help millions of people, but they’re only able to help a fraction of those in need. There is a 47-billion-dollar home-energy affordability gap, so assistance alone is not sustainable.
But by building energy equity and resilience into our communities, we can assure fair and impartial access to energy that is clean, reliable, and affordable. At scale, microgrid technology, clean technology, and energy efficiency can dramatically improve public health. And for those with high energy burdens, it can help them reclaim 20 percent of their income – 20 percent of a person’s income who’s struggling to make ends meet. This is life-changing, an opportunity for families to use their energy savings to sponsor their future.
High energy burdens are a tremendous barrier to overcome, but through relationships with communities and technology, we have the paths to overcome them. When we do, we will all be more resilient.