I’ve been revisiting ideas of procedural equity in the energy system since the election. The procedures that govern who is selected to regulate utilities and how stakeholders can access and sway decisions have profound impacts on the distribution of benefits and negative impacts. Procedural equity is at the root of whether energy bills are affordable,Continue reading "Rethinking Procedural Equity"
Energy Justice Scriptures: A New American Translation
A poem by Justin Schott dedicated to 100 million souls held captive by the valley of the shadow of utility shutoffs.
They died with the AC off. Why the government pays for heating but not cooling.
Illustration by Derek Abella for POLITICO Check out this Politico article by Thomas Frank about the impacts of federal policies that fail to protect people in the hottest regions from extreme heat. For more about extreme heat, see this article by Justin Schott.
Biden’s environmental justice scorecard offers more questions than answers
PC: Win McNamee / Getty Images Read this Grist article by Naveena Sadasivam about the Biden administration's environmental justice scorecard, which quotes Justin Schott, project manager of EEP.
Energy Equity Project validates new utility ratemaking approach with groundbreaking “Children’s Jellybean Electron Allocation Study”
Ann Arbor, MI | April 1, 2024 Introduction For more than a decade, Justin Schott has been fighting for energy equity in places like Detroit, but progress, in his words, was “slow to non-existent.” Schott, who directs the Energy Equity Project (EEP) at University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, had enough of spinning hisContinue reading "Energy Equity Project validates new utility ratemaking approach with groundbreaking “Children’s Jellybean Electron Allocation Study”"
Energy Equity Project helps disadvantaged communities benefit from the energy transition
By Jennie Rhodes (MS '25) | January 29, 2024 The Energy Equity Project (EEP) at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is focusing on multiple projects to bolster a just transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. “We want to make sure frontline and BIPOC communities get a fair share of theContinue reading "Energy Equity Project helps disadvantaged communities benefit from the energy transition"
Why Do We Still Have Energy Shutoffs? Another World is Possible.
By Justin B. Schott | November 14, 2022 It is straightforward: An energy system that actively subsidizes clean energy investments for the rich and for corporations while actively depriving poor people from simply accessing heat and electricity is not just. This should not be a gray issue. But just as importantly, shutoffs are not inevitable result ofContinue reading "Why Do We Still Have Energy Shutoffs? Another World is Possible."
Equity framework online tool to help guide investments in line with Justice40, UM researchers say
PC: Sean Pavone via Getty Images Check out this Utility Dive article by Katie Pyzyk about EEP's Energy Equity Framework.
The energy system is ‘inherently racist,’ advocates say. How are utilities responding to calls for greater equity?
PC: https://unsplash.com/@claritycontrol Millions of utility shutoffs during the pandemic highlighted the growing U.S. electricity affordability crisis, customer advocates say. Utilities say funding, outreach are barriers to doing more. Read the full article on Utility Dive by Robert Walton.
U-M Energy Equity Project to Develop First Standardized Tool for Driving Equity in Clean Energy Industry
ANN ARBOR—Despite widespread calls for a just transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems, there isn’t a standardized measurement framework for evaluating the equity of clean energy programs. As a result, utility administrators, regulators, and energy advocates have been judging equity on an ad hoc basis. The Urban Energy Justice Lab at the University ofContinue reading "U-M Energy Equity Project to Develop First Standardized Tool for Driving Equity in Clean Energy Industry"