Energy efficiency as energy justice: addressing racial inequities through investments in people and places
Structural racism in the form of racial residential segregation and the series of laws, policies, and practices that continue to reinforce it have robbed generations of African Americans of socioeconomic opportunity, wealth accumulation, safe, secure and energy-efficient housing and full societal inclusion. This paper argues for investing in policies that provide energy efficiency and weatherization assistance – and not only energy bill assistance – to provide a long-term and equitable solution to energy insecurity that is also a critical step toward restorative justice.
