This article brings to light the fact many efficiency programs meant to target low-income households are actually the least effective and more costly. Nevertheless, they are necessary to start erasing racial inequality and to protect vulnerable populations. Essentially, saving energy for low-income families and especially low-income families of color could make or break getting evicted. Overall, the article details how energy efficiency programs yield less cost benefits in investments for low-income programs, but it stems from the fact low-income programs cover all or nearly all costs of improvements. Despite the market analysis, providing assistance programs is still beneficial, both in terms of health and socioeconomic benefits for low-income families. This article is useful for our research group to think about topics that were already discussed within key informant interviews and that already shape discussions within energy service organizations. Further shouldering of these reflections are present in this report and can work to shape how this research groups thinks of energy consumption in the future.
Kari Lydersen, "Utility efficiency programs offer model to merge climate, racial justice solutions", contributed by Briana Leone, The Energy Rights Project, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography, last modified 8 July 2020, accessed 7 May 2024. https://energyrights.info/content/utility-efficiency-programs-offer-model-merge-climate-racial-justice-solutions
Critical Commentary
This article brings to light the fact many efficiency programs meant to target low-income households are actually the least effective and more costly. Nevertheless, they are necessary to start erasing racial inequality and to protect vulnerable populations. Essentially, saving energy for low-income families and especially low-income families of color could make or break getting evicted. Overall, the article details how energy efficiency programs yield less cost benefits in investments for low-income programs, but it stems from the fact low-income programs cover all or nearly all costs of improvements. Despite the market analysis, providing assistance programs is still beneficial, both in terms of health and socioeconomic benefits for low-income families. This article is useful for our research group to think about topics that were already discussed within key informant interviews and that already shape discussions within energy service organizations. Further shouldering of these reflections are present in this report and can work to shape how this research groups thinks of energy consumption in the future.