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Community Voices in Energy national trainings are designed to prepare participants to address energy justice issues and drive change through energy regulatory cases that affect their communities.

Over the course of about eight bi-weekly virtual trainings, our 2024 national training explained and demystified traditional legal intervention in public utility commission proceedings, and how individuals can bring about a more just and affordable energy system through policy advocacy, organizing, and education.

Participants also gained insights from case studies such as amazing successes in Illinois.

At the end of the program the participants completed an impressive range of projects, many of which involved energy justice insights that helped scale the impact of the work. Participants received Energy Justice Intervenor certification showing that they had learned about navigating and influencing the energy regulatory system.

 

 

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Media Article

Massachusetts outlines new strategy for getting customers and utilities off gas

After more than three years of considering the future of the natural gas industry in Massachusetts and what role it can play in the state's efforts to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the state's Department of Public Utilities issued an order meant to signal to gas utilities that it won't be business as usual going forward.
Blog

Illinois Approves Electric Rate Encouraging Use of Clean Affordable Energy

For the first time in Illinois’ history, all Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) residential customers will soon have the power to opt into a time-of-use rate option that will help them save money on their monthly energy bills by shifting usage to times of day when energy tends to be more affordable and cleaner. Previously, the time-of-use rate was open to fewer than 2,000 customers at a time. Of the customers that were allowed to participate, more than 98% benefited from bill savings. Designed to be similar to that successful pilot, the new Rate BEST option was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission at its July meeting in Springfield. The rate will be available to customers in June 2026. The Commission also recently approved a program that will give competitive energy suppliers access to the data they need to develop their own competitive time-varying rates plans before June 2026. “Starting in June 2026, ComEd’s Rate BEST option will help IL residential customers who want more control over their energy bills,” said Curt Stokes, Director and Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. “EDF and our partner, the Citizens Utility Board, have long fought for innovative rate designs that enable customers to save money by accessing cleaner, more affordable energy. Rate BEST will help Illinois customers choose a new time-of-use electricity rate designed to align with their energy usage patterns and benefit from a more sustainable and equitable energy future."
urban lights at night in winter
Media Article

Understanding energy behaviors for a more equitable future

Dr. Destenie Nock published a new study based on research in Chicago showing that low-income households turn on their cooling systems in hot weather three degrees later than higher income households, but they turn on heat in cold weather six degrees earlier than high income households, whether because of poor insulation or other reasons. “This work highlights the challenges low-income communities face. Not only are they at higher risk in the summer, but in the winter they have to spend a lot more money to protect their pipes from freezing,” noted Nock. “The financial stress of heating homes in winter can also lead to broader inequities.” Dr. Nock's data can be used to shape policies that address systemic inequities, guide investments in infrastructure, and help improve living conditions for energy-insecure and vulnerable households. Dr. Nock has provided expert testimony in Illinois rate case proceedings.
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FeaturedMedia Article

Fighting An Unjust Pipeline

An article from the spring 2022 edition of EDF’s Solutions, details how the Pembroke Environmental Justice Coalition and EDF is working to stop a natural gas pipeline from being built in Pembroke Township – an historic Black farming community.