Equity Metrics and Workforce Development

We were unable to determine if the state's energy plans or electrification strategies establish specific policies or equity-related metrics to ensure access for underserved customers or if they include specific measures to prioritize clean energy workforce development.

Workforce Development

AEA sponsored a class for teachers that focused on alternative energy and energy efficiency. The participants received college credit for participating. This was completed in partnership with Alaska Resource Education.

Last Reviewed: September 2022

At this time, the state has not taken specific steps to engage with marginalized groups in the community for the creation or implementation of its energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.

The DOE Weatherization Assistance Program tracks houses weatherized by county. One of the priorities for weatherizing low-income households is energy burden (> 6% of household income spent on energy).

Favorable net-metering rules and solar legislation have led to the rapid development of Arkansas’ clean energy industry over the past decade, which now supports over 15,000 jobs. State-sponsored trainings on energy management and benchmarking (amongst other topics) provide opportunities for industry professionals to obtain CEM & CEA certificates. Almost two dozen local and national firms have Arkansas offices promoting the state’s growing residential and commercial solar sectors.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Colorado WAP is running a pilot program to install air source heat pumps. This pilot will help WAP clients with electrification both now via direct install and in the future once the pace of electrification and its impacts on energy rates are better understood. Colorado WAP will be expanding its community engagement approach starting July 1, 2021, with a focus on EDI for engagement across Colorado communities.

Workforce Development

The heat pump pilot program will likely lead to significant heat pump expertise development within both Colorado WAP and also across the state. Colorado has a low level of heat pump expertise as a result of historically low level of air conditioning system installation and repair. This low level of air conditioning expertise leads to a lack of knowledge of refrigerant-based cooling and heating systems; as a result, Colorado has a steeper learning curve than other states when it comes to heat pump installation. The WAP air source heat pump pilot will assist in electrification workforce development.

CEO is working closely with utilities such as Xcel Energy, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, Holy Cross Energy, Platte River Power Authority, and other organizations such as the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition as part of the Beneficial Electrification League of Colorado, to coordinate and promote heat pump contractor training across the state. CEO has also funded webinars to raise awareness of heat pump technologies and their benefits.

Additionally, CEO provides funding to a nonprofit, Energy Smart Colorado, to provide partial scholarships to individuals to obtain or maintain a BPI or RESNET certification and who work in rural, mountain, or other underserved areas of the State. The funding also pays for small grants for individuals to purchase or maintain energy testing equipment needed for energy assessments or ratings.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Delaware is developing its first Climate Action Plan which currently awaiting publication. The Plan outlines how the State of Delaware will drive reductions of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and better prepare Delaware for its many impacts, from increasing temperatures to sunny day flooding and sea level rise. Developed hand-in-hand with residents, business leaders, and local governments, the plan contains strategies that fit the unique needs and desires of Delaware’s constituents. The strategies, goals, and policy recommendations included in the plan use equity-related metrics and methods for protecting Delaware’s most vulnerable populations from the effects of climate change.

Public participation has been central to developing Delaware’s Climate Action Plan. In addition to public workshops, online surveys, and comment forms soliciting public input, DNREC sought insight from Delaware-based technical stakeholders in the buildings, electric power, industrial transportation and waste sectors — along with staff from 10 state agencies — on potential actions to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and maximize resilience to climate change impacts. Input received from all the community engagement activities will help inform Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, which is set for release in winter 2021. Summaries of these activities, and the input received, are included below.

Public Participation Highlights:

• More than 250 people participated in an initial round of public workshops, held in each county in March.
• A follow-up series of virtual workshops held in September and October attracted nearly 390 attendees across five sessions.
• Online surveys hosted on this website in the spring and fall, aimed at gathering input from those unable to attend a public workshop, garnered more than 520 responses.
• Residents, businesses, and organizations submitted more than 50 additional written comments and questions on the plan.

Recordings, reports, and other materials from all the community engagement efforts are documented on the DE Climate Action Plan webpage.

The Delaware WAP is working on a project that will track high energy use and high energy burden clients served by the program so the data can be reported to the U.S. DOE.

Workforce Development

The state's energy plans or electrification strategies do not currently include specific measures to prioritize clean energy workforce development.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Pillar of the State Energy Plan objective is as follows: Encourage the expansion and diversification of energy resources, incentives, and programs. The strategy includes the following goals: Support Energy Efficiency Efforts in Underserved Areas; Low Income Housing Tax Credit; Connect and Leverage Iowa’s Energy Assistance Programs; and Heating Fuel Assistance. IEDA supported a High-Performance Home Plan project to provide an energy efficient home plan based on Iowa's climate and building codes to serve as a model for Community Development Block Grant projects funded by the state. IEDA provided funding to the Prison Industries Training Program, an effort to train incarcerated Iowans in construction, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and high performing homes.

Workforce Development

The State Energy Plan has four pillars, one of which is Economic Development and Energy Careers. The objective of this pillar is to Increase the local talent pool for energy-related careers while promoting employment and training opportunities in the energy sector. There are two goals under the objective: Accelerate and Elevate Energy Sector Partnership Efforts; and Build Robust Career Pathways to High-Demand Occupational Needs. In an effort to prepare for a shrinking energy workforce with a growing energy demand, the Iowa Energy Workforce Consortium was organized by Iowa utilities with the purpose of bringing industry experts together to discuss and collaborate. To capture the full scope of the industry and utilize all parties that make up the workforce pipeline, the consortium also asked state agencies and community colleges to be a part of the discussion. These stakeholders meet regularly so they can continue to evolve with the changing workforce and keep a pulse on the needs of the industry.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) has increased its engagement of low- to moderate-income customers and small businesses through targeted outreach regarding enhanced incentives for heat pumps and weatherization. For Low Income Initiatives, EMT holds quarterly stakeholder advisory group meetings to engage organizations who serve low-income households. EMT invites nonprofit groups, native American representatives, state government and utility staff. The purpose of this meeting is to increase engagement with low-income Mainers. Under Low Income Initiatives, EMT sends outreach material directly to eligible individuals as well as uses targeted digital ads and area-specific radio spots to broaden the reach. The program manager supplements these efforts with presentations to towns and affordable housing association members. For the Small Business Initiative, EMT conducts targeted marketing and outreach efforts to reach small businesses, including direct mail and phone calls to eligible businesses; collaboration with local groups such as Climate to Thrive, The Nature Conservancy, and chambers of commerce; and public relations activities targeted at eligible participants. Another means of engagement come from the network of trade allies called Qualified Partners. These independent businesses are the primary marketers of the program—working with their existing customers and identifying new customers for energy-efficient equipment. For businesses that do not currently work with a contractor or a Qualified Partner, the Efficiency Maine website features an online search tool to easily put potential customers in touch with a Qualified Partner in their area. The Program Managers for Electric Vehicle Initiatives engage with the aforementioned quarterly advisory group, the Maine Climate Council Equity Subcommittee, and the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition to gather insight and raise awareness about low-income EV rebates and charging infrastructure opportunities.

As part of its Triennial Plan for FY2020-FY2022, Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) establishes program budgets that reflect the minimum funding allocations to low-income customers set forth in statute [see 35-A MRS §10110(2)(B)] and 35-A MRS §10111(1)(B)] and rule [see 95-648 Code of Maine Rules (CMR) ch. 3, §3(A)(2) and 95-648 CMR ch. 4, §3(2)]. For the Electric Efficiency Procurement (electric ratepayer funds) this allocation is 10%. For the Natural Gas Conservation Fund (natural gas ratepayer funds), this allocation is set at a reasonable percentage considering low-income consumers' share of gas load and the cost-effective opportunity available at their homes. For RGGI funds, the target allocation to low-income programs is 10%. One of the State of Maine's primary electrification strategies involves a goal to install 100,000 additional high-efficiency heat pumps over five years by 2025. This goal was set forth in a bill passed by the Maine Legislature in 2019: LD 1766 - An Act To Transform Maine's Heat Pump Market To Advance Economic Security and Climate Objectives. The bill requires the Maine State Housing Authority to include information in its annual planning process (for low-income weatherization programs) on targets and budgets related to the heat pump goal. Efficiency Maine Trust is also offering enhanced rebates for low- and moderate-income households. The state's new climate action plan, entitled "Maine Won't Wait: A Four-Year Plan for Climate Action" establishes a goal of installing at least 15,000 new heat pumps in income-eligible households by 2025 as part of the 100,000-heat pump initiative. The Plan also recommends doubling the current pace of home weatherization, including at least 1,000 low-income units per year. Efficiency Maine Trust allocates funds from the Volkswagen Settlement and the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) specifically for disproportionately underserved communities in Maine to receive enhanced rebates for level 2 charging stations. These investments are targeted in areas that are especially rural where there is a higher upfront cost. EMT funding received through a settlement related to the New England Clean Energy Connect project includes dedicated resources for low- and moderate-income households for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, weatherization, and electric vehicle rebates. All of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and LIHEAP-Weatherization funds administered by MaineHousing are dedicated to low-income Mainers who meet the criteria for LIHEAP eligibility. The funds are allocated pro-rata across the nine regions served by CAP agencies in the state.

Workforce Development

In order to support the increased demand for heat pumps and to promote quality installations, Efficiency Maine specified a curriculum for registered trainers that support heat pump installers, and developed a training module on "heat pump basics" that is required for all heat pump installers working with Efficiency Maine's residential programs. Efficiency Maine provides other trainings and workshops to contractors working in its commercial programs and has started delivering building code training to contractors. Efficiency Maine's intent to continue these efforts is reflected in its new Triennial Plan (for Fiscal Years 2023-2025).

In 2022, the Maine Governor's Energy Office launched the Clean Energy Partnership to advance Maine’s clean energy, economic development, and workforce goals as outlined in the state climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait. The primary goal that the Clean Energy Partnership intends to achieve is to more than double Maine's clean energy workforce to 30,000 by 2030. This goal has an auxilliary effect of helping achieve additional climate goals such as heat pump adoptions and weatherization. The purpose of the Clean Energy Partnership is to prepare, expand, and support Maine’s clean energy workforce as well as supporting innovation of clean tech products and services. This initiative is supported by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, innovation funds, and additional funding sources designated for bolstering this effort (e.g., Congressionally Designated Spending, etc.).

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Community and stakeholder engagement

Affordable Access to Regional Coordination (AARC) Grant Program ($880,000 total; $800,000 to Regional Planning Authorities; $80,000 to entity supporting RPAs): The goal of this program is increase local-level knowledge of the Commonwealth’s existing low-income energy efficiency programs, expanding the reach of existing successful programs. AARC grants allow Regional Planning Authorities (RPA) to build their internal knowledge of clean energy programs for low-income residents and low-income housing property owners. RPAs also provide training and assistance on low-income clean energy programs to municipal staff, or staff of community organizations or other stakeholders, that support low-income populations.

Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund: In July of 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration and Attorney General (AG) Maura Healey came to an agreement with Columbia Gas (one of the state’s investor-owned utilities) that required the company to pay $41 million for its role in the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions. These funds (the Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund) will provide debt relief for gas bills to thousands of low-income gas customers and enable clean energy and energy efficiency efforts in homes and buildings in the affected communities (Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover). $25.5 million is dedicated to new programs for low- and moderate-income residents that will be implemented through partnerships with community organizations to fund: housing repairs and energy efficiency upgrades, targeted outreach and engagement with landlords and renters, and workforce development to engage local residents in the clean energy economy. The Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund Program Advisory Committee, comprised of local stakeholders (including representatives from building owners/property managers, local contractors specializing in energy efficiency, and local community organizations), is providing input to help inform program development. Program development is also being informed by community feedback received at several stakeholder meetings held in the fall of 2020 and through on-line surveys (available in both English and Spanish). Programs will be designed to utilize and develop the local workforce and delivered in a way that meets the language needs of participants.

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) - To help ensure an equitable and strategic transition towards Net Zero, EEA worked with stakeholders across the Commonwealth to ensure that development of the 2030 CECP is an inclusive policy planning effort. EEA has been convening the GWSA Implementation Advisory Committee (IAC) since 2012 as a primary public body for advising EEA on greenhouse gas reduction measures. The IAC has several Work Groups, including Climate Justice, Buildings, Natural and Working Lands, Transportation, and Electricity.  In 2019 and 2020, the IAC and associated Work Groups contributed policy recommendations and guiding principles towards the development of the 2030 CECP. The Climate Justice Work Group, in particular, provided a memo on February 26 2020 and on August 7 2020. These recommendations and principles, in addition to the policy evaluation criteria in the GWSA, were important considerations in the development of policies for the 2030 CECP.

EEA Environmental Justice Task Force - EEA’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Task Force is comprised of staff that serve as EJ points of contact representing each EEA agency and office, in accordance with the requirements of EEA’s 2017 Environmental Justice Policy. The Task Force is developing a Secretariat-wide EJ Strategy to proactively promote environmental justice across the Commonwealth in ways that are tailored to each EEA Agency’s mission. The EJ Strategy will guide EEA agencies and offices in how to appropriately integrate environmental justice considerations into policies, programs and strategies. Since 2020, each agency’s EJ point of contact has acted as a liaison between the public and state offices, regularly connecting constituents to the right staff person to address EJ concerns. In addition to the EJ Task Force, EEA will convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Council whose work shall include, but need not be limited to, making written recommendations to the Governor and the Director of Environmental Justice concerning policies, practices, and specific actions that the Commonwealth should implement to ensure that the objectives of Executive Order 552 are accomplished.

Goals and metrics for tracking progress

In addition to its oversight role through the EEAC, MA DOER oversees statewide in-home audit program through the Massachusetts Residential Conservation Services (RCS) statute (M.G.L. c.164 App.§§2-1 to 2-10) and the associated regulation and guideline. Pursuant to the RCS statute and regulation, 225 CMR 4.00, DOER is required to establish outcomes for the RCS program, and 3-year plan Program Administrators and Municipal Utilities are required to submit quarterly reports to DOER based on those outcomes. In 2020, DOER issued outcomes for the RCS. These outcomes include “increasing the number of hard-to-reach customers served by RCS Programs, including rental, moderate income, and non-English speaking households.” DOER is currently developing a reporting framework for this outcome (as well as other outcomes).

EOEEA-convened Interagency Cumulative Impact Workgroup – In light of the mandates specified by the new statute, Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021, an Act Creating a Next Generation Road Map for Massachusetts Climate Policy, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is convening an inter-agency work group to define and develop a standardized methodology to assess cumulative impacts of environmental burdens over time with regard to environmental justice populations. The immediate goals of this workgroup, to be further refined through subsequent meetings, is the following: (1) identify which pollution sources and social determinants of health should be considered while assessing cumulative impacts, and (2) develop a quantitative method by which cumulative impacts can be measured, such that state agencies may utilize this information in permitting, siting, grant disbursement, enforcement and other state functions.

With respect to development of the 2022-2024 Three Year Energy Efficiency Plan, the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC) recommended various types of reporting with respect to the Mass Save income eligible programs, including the following recommendations:

• Collect and report data on the number, type, and location of barriers including those related to installation (e.g., building code violations) as well as those related to participation. Use this data to inform program delivery.
• Determine if there are differences in service by Community Action Agency territory, PA territory, or PA program (gas or electric) that are not warranted by differences in proportions of low-income households.
• Strengthen regular reporting in order to identify areas of improvement and resources needed to support comprehensive and equitable service to all submarkets.

Workforce Development

In 2022-2024, Massachusetts is investing over $49 million (inclusive of funds to Mass Clean Energy Center, “MassCEC”) to train a more diverse and field-ready workforce, including the Program Administrators’ (Utilities + Cape Light Compact) innovative “Clean Energy Pathways” internship program and a commitment to work with the MassCEC, which has a leadership role in workforce development. Below is a summary of the MassCEC’s workforce development efforts:

• In 2020, MassCEC began updating its existing Clean Energy Internship Program (which recently celebrated placement of 5000 students over 9 years in internships) to increase diversity in the clean energy workforce. Beginning in 2021, MassCEC began reserving 20% of its internship spots for employers in Gateway Cities and/or students in Gateway Cities. In addition, starting with summer of 2021, MassCEC has hired four (4) training providers to recruit, support, and mentor underrepresented student populations in the MassCEC Clean Energy Internship program to further boost diversity of participants. The providers matched students with companies and developed workshops for underrepresented students during their internships.
• The Massachusetts Vocational Internship Program (VIP) is a workforce development initiative offered through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). The Program enhances the talent pipeline for Massachusetts clean energy companies and places skilled labor from vocational high schools in paid clean energy internships during the academic year.
• In addition to its internship programs, MassCEC hosts an online job board with multiple listings for private and non-profit clean energy industry job opportunities.
• In March 2022, MassCEC issued a solicitation (total funding $4.5 million) or programs that support the expansion of minority and women owned businesses in clean energy and climate-critical sectors. This solicitation will be re-opened every six months.
• In 2021, MassCEC published a report on the status of the Building Operations sector of the MA economy. The report outlines the current status of this workforce, including demographics, training needs (both short and long term), and career pathways. The report will guide MassCEC in preparing for future workforce programs. MassCEC is continuing this work in 2022 by conducting a broader Workforce Needs Analysis for all Climate Critical Occupations that will outline the current status of this workforce, including demographics, training needs (both short and long term), and career pathways. The analysis and subsequent report will provide a framework of industry needs and training gaps of climate critical occupations, and also highlight workforce best practices associated with supporting clean energy minority and women owned businesses, engaging and supporting residents in environmental justice neighborhoods, and current and former fossil fuel workers to join the clean energy industry. The report will inform MassCEC’s future workforce development strategy and program development efforts, particularly with respect to meeting Massachusetts’s aggressive 2030 GHG emissions targets.
• Building on the 2018 Workforce Assessment and to further examine the workforce required to complete the first 1,600 megawatts of Massachusetts offshore wind (the Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind projects), MassCEC commissioned the 2021 Offshore Wind Workforce Training & Development in Massachusetts Report, developed by BW Research Partnership, which provides a deeper examination of capabilities and opportunities in the offshore wind workforce.
• In July of 2021, MassCEC announced awards to eight organizations under the Access to Opportunity in the Offshore Wind Workforce solicitation, which focused exclusively on building a more equitable offshore wind workforce from the ground up and increasing awareness of potential job opportunities. To inform the funding opportunity, MassCEC engaged with critical groups and sought stakeholder feedback on how to effectively support programs that aim to increase the participation of underrepresented populations and/or target communities in the developing offshore wind workforce and reduce barriers for individuals interested in pursuing offshore wind job opportunities.

Specific funding opportunities for businesses in 2022 include the following:

• Workforce Equity Training Programs planning grants. This opportunity provides $50,000 Planning Grants for partnerships of organizations serving environmental justice neighborhoods to develop a workforce training plans aimed at training residents for priority occupations and working with employers to hire or apprentice trainees.
• Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Support. This Program was authorized for $4.5 million, and will provide grants between $250,000 and $1 million for organizations to support Massachusetts-based MWBE companies in their entry, creation, and expansion into fields that are critical to meeting the Commonwealth's climate goals.

The 2022-2024 Three Year Plan includes specific equity-related workforce, including the following:

• Through the Clean Energy Pathways Program (a program designed to increase opportunities in the clean energy workforce for individuals historically underrepresented in the industry), over the three years, at least 120 people will complete training and be placed in clean energy industry positions. Of the goal of 120 people, the goal is that at least 90 people are Women, Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, fluent in language(s) other than English, and/or from EJ block groups at time of enrollment.  
• The Plan includes annual tracking and reporting on the number of M/WBEs contracts and spend for contracts that are directly between PAs and vendors that are M/WBEs.
• In 2022, an EM&V study will be completed  to analyze whether substantial disparities exist between the availability and Mass Save utilization of state-certified minority and woman-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) in procurement for lead vendors and subcontractors by the Massachusetts Program Administrators (statewide and individually) related to energy efficiency programs and services.
• Program Adminstrators (PA) will hold at least two workshops per year for contractors interested in working in Mass Save to provide education on programs in order to increase ability of new M/WBE vendors to participate; PAs to target advertising for the workshop to likely M/WBE contractors.
• At least once per year, the PAs will perform direct targeted outreach to all Massachusetts-certified M/WBEs listed in the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office’s Directory of Certified Businesses with a Description of Services that indicates that they provide services or equipment that are likely eligible for Mass Save contracts, subcontracts, or incentives. A description of the outreach methods and number and types of businesses contacted will be reported annually.

In addition, a portion of funds from the Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund (jointly administered by DOER and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General) will be allocated to workforce development to engage local residents in the clean energy economy. Clean energy and energy efficiency programs funded by the Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund will be designed to utilize and develop the local workforce.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

To help ensure that low-income customers have the opportunity to participate in CIP, Minnesota Statutes §216B.241, subd. 7(a) establishes minimum low-income spending requirements for electric and natural gas utilities and associations.  E.g. the minimum low-income spending requirement for public (i.e., investor-owned) is equal to 0.4% of gas IOUs’ three-year average residential GOR and 0.2% of electric IOUs’ three-year average residential GOR.

Many CIP low-income programs (most of which by design are intended to exclusively serve the needs of low-income persons) have tended not to be cost-effective, but the Department has historically not held low-income programs to the same cost-effectiveness standards as non-low income programs, and has allowed non-cost-effective low-income programs to be included in utility CIP portfolios recognizing their importance in serving these customers.  

The MN Department of Commerce also commissioned a 3 year study to evaluate the effectiveness of low-income program delivery through the conservation improvement program. The study assessed the current performance of the utility LI CIPs and identified opportunities for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of those programs. Overall, the study found that the LI CIP is meeting or exceeding most of the statutory and regulatory requirements.

Workforce Development

Clean Energy Economy is a prominent voice of Minnesota’s clean energy businesses, including the following sectors: energy efficiency, renewable energies like wind, solar and biomass, clean transportation and energy storage. They work to support and expand clean energy jobs and the economic opportunities They gather clean energy data and share it with lawmakers and the public to craft smart clean energy policies that support a prosperous, low-carbon economy.

The MN Department of Commerce commissioned an independent 2020 study that estimated the net economic impacts of CIP investments made from 2013-2018. The key impacts from CIP’s 2013-2018 program activity years include nearly 48,000 jobs, $11 billion in new economic activity, and a return of $3.75 in societal benefits for each dollar invested. The study's final report is now published.

On December 23, 2020, Xcel Energy (Xcel) filed a program modification request to its 2021-2023 CIP Triennial Plan with the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department). Xcel requested to add a new indirect impact program called the CIP-Workforce Development and Education Program (CIP-WDE) to its CIP portfolio. The program would recruit, educate, and train participants for jobs in the energy efficiency sector. The program would target recruitment and training efforts specifically towards traditionally underserved communities. The program would be divided into two main offerings: a workforce training and recruitment program and a CIP Scholarship Fund. This program was approved by the Department on April 29, 2021.

Last Reviewed: September 2020

Division of Energy (DE) is in the early stages of the Missouri State Energy Planning (MoSEP) process and held a Virtual Energy Stakeholder Kickoff Workshop in October 2020. DE requested and received the participation of a representative from Consumers Council of Missouri in the meeting to represent the interests and needs of the low-income consumers in Missouri energy planning, who offered challenges low-income customers face including energy insecurity, service disconnections, and others. A value statement was developed based on stakeholder feedback received during the kickoff meeting that includes affordability and equity in access to energy resources, services and programs. DE is taking a regional approach to energy planning that will enable a greater level of granularity in the local goals and priorities included in the MoSEP process. The regional approach will allow community and organizational leaders of marginalized groups to have their interests and needs heard to a greater degree than might have been possible through a more generalized approach to energy planning.

The Missouri Energy Efficiency Advisory Collaborative, established by Missouri Public Service Commission rule and docketed under Case No. EW-2013-0519, includes a Low-Income Work Group that meets multiple times a year to specifically address low-income customers' energy efficiency needs. The work group meetings include a variety of stakeholders. In addition, the Missouri Public Service Commission rules at 4 CSR 240-20-094(3)(A)4 require that market potential studies, "Include an estimate of the achievable potential, regardless of cost-effectiveness, of energy savings from low-income demand-side programs. Energy savings from multi-family buildings that house low-income households may count toward this target."

Workforce Development

The Missouri State Energy Planning (MoSEP) process includes an initiative to create an energy training and installation program at a local vocational school in Southeast Missouri. Division of Energy (MoDNR-DE) staff are also monitoring the efforts by the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Coal and Power Plant Communities, and staff attended Midwestern Governors Association meetings relate to power plant closures, including the subgroup for workforce and education. MoDNR-DE WAP staff are working to address the shortage of technical staff in the community action agencies around the state. MoDNR-DE is implementing a grant program to support small agriculture businesses' energy projects. MoDNR-DE is also developing an energy audit grant program for local government critical infrastructure (including public safety facilities, water and waste), public K-12 schools, public universities and colleges, public and private not-for-profit hospitals, small commercial/industrial operations, and multifamily properties. Reducing energy costs in public buildings will allow funds to be redirected to other needs, such as workforce development. MoDNR-DE continues to offer its Energy Loan Program (ELP) to public entities to reduce energy costs. During the COVID pandemic, MoDNR-DE offered loans with interest rates of 1.75%, lower than the average program rate of approximately 3.67%.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

The Home Energy Assistance (HEA) Program provides energy efficiency improvements specifically for the low-income customers. The program serves single family and multi-family units. Utilities partner with NH’s Community Action Agencies to deliver program services. These agencies also deliver services through the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program so are well positioned to deliver needed energy efficiency services along with health and safety measures which may include heating system and indoor air quality issues. Per Settlement Agreement, the HEA program's budget is 17 percent of the total plan budget. Any unused monies in the HEA program carry forward to the next year. In addition. RSA 374-F:3, VI, signed into law on September 26, 2019, provides "that no less than 20 percent of the portion of the [system benefit charge] funds collected for energy efficiency shall be expended on low-income energy efficiency programs." The 20 percent requirement is specific to the electric utilities.

We were unable to determine if the state has taken specific steps to engage with marginalized groups in the community for the creation or implementation of its energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.

Workforce Development

The state's utilities offer workforce training programs as part of the energy efficiency programs.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

The final supporting funds from a three-year Clean Energy States Alliance program on LMI efforts have been used to provide training supplies and tools for a LMI trades program at Northern New Mexico College. The college is located in the largest LMI community in the state, and supporting the trades program there is viewed as being a possible path for a brighter future for this community. The CESA program in New Mexico over the years of 2016 to 2019 developed the PV-on-a-Pole concept where a small system could be installed without using rooftop space or much ground space and still provide significant solar energy production for a low-income family. This concept has resonated with individuals both in state and out of state. The present largest effort for this type of solar sinstallation is in Humboldt County California. Also, the state is currently engaged in a statewide modeling effort (USDOE funded) to evaluate energy efficiency policies using a systems dynamic model. Results will show county impact levels. These results will be the first step in ensuring the LMI program(s) the state wants to pursue will have the desired impact on all residents, both rural and urban residents from all different income strata.

Workforce Development

The Economic Development Department did a statewide strategic plan that looks at nine industries (including clean energy) to look at short term recovery, long term planning, and economic diversification. This plan focuses on how to support businesses and develop the workforce.

Last Reviewed: September 2020

The state's Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan offers climate justice recommendations for low income citizens that promote job creation and promote public health for the sector. The NC Energy Efficiency Roadmap addresses energy efficiency and demand-side management strategies for low and moderate income communities. The state's Clean Energy Plan addresses energy efficiency and clean energy programs specifically targeted at underserved markets and low-income communities. The 2018 NC Energy Policy Council Biennial Report includes recommendations for residential energy efficiency measures for low and moderate income consumers, including manufactured housing programs and weatherization assistance programs.

The Clean Energy and Clean Transportation in NC: A Workforce Assessment Plan recommends and prioritize actions to help NC develop skilled and educated workers for a clean energy economy. The NC Clean Energy Plan contains recommendations related to "Equitable Access and Just Transition, addressing methods to relieve the energy burden on low income communities, provide job training, and develop a clean energy workforce. Various state agencies, college/universities and non-profits are taking actions identified in these recommendations.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

OHCS leads research with Oregon State University to determine the energy burden of low-income households by race. An ArcGIS map was developed to demonstrate the needs of BIPOC communities demonstrating where Oregon can and should focus its efforts. OPUC's work plan in response to EO 20-04 includes an extensive list of activities for working with impacted communities. Under OPUC COVID Impacts workshop series, the OPUC is engaging on opportunities to provide expanded low-cost energy efficiency services and increasing access to rooftop solar for low-income customers.

ODOE has adopted a strategic plan featuring an imperative to “build practices and processes to achieve inclusive and equitable outcomes.” Implementation of the strategic plan is underway. OPUC applies annual "diversity, equity, & inclusion" performance metrics to Energy Trust. These metrics are updated annually. The metrics for 2021 are:

• Implement a supplier diversity tracking system as outlined in the 2021 Budget and Action Plan.
• Develop a trade ally dashboard to track diverse spend in trade ally activities with stakeholder participation.
• Complete implicit bias training for all hiring managers.

Workforce Development

Oregon's Ten-Year Plan: Reducing the Energy Burden in Oregon Affordable Housing. Oregon Health and Community Service's (OHCS) Low-income Weatherization Program (LIWP) initiated a workforce development strategy to support the needs of low-income multifamily projects in Oregon. OHCS is completing a plan now for workforce development plans in Oregon, identifying the construction-related trades that need the most assistance, identifying geographic areas in Oregon needing the most assistance, and ways to best leverage current efforts to help address labor shortages in the trades.

House Bill (HB) 2021 establishes an ambitious emissions-based clean energy framework for electricity providers in Oregon. The bill requires the state’s large investor-owned utilities (IOUs), Pacific Power and Portland General Electric, and electricity service suppliers (ESSs) to decarbonize their retail electricity sales by 2040 in a manner that provides direct benefits to local communities to the extent practicable.

Section 26 of the bill outlines responsible contractor labor standards which includes establishing and executing a plan for outreach, recruitment and retention of women, minority individuals, veterans and people with disabilities to perform work under the contract, with the l target of having at least 15 percent of total work hours performed by individuals in one or more of those groups; and having policies in place that are designed to limit or prevent workplace harassment and discrimination and that promote workplace diversity, equity and inclusion for communities who have been underrepresented in the clean energy sector, including women, veterans and Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Community and stakeholder engagement

The Office of Energy Resources has developed public participation guidance to begin addressing the inherent inequities that exist in public participation processes. As part of this effort, the Office of Energy Resources is gathering data and information about who in our communities is attending public workshops. Following these workshops on clean energy initiatives (such as the state’s goal of meeting 100% of electricity demand with renewables by 2030), OER circulates a survey to workshop participants via email to collect anonymous demographic data. When collated, this information provides insight on which voices were in the room and which were underrepresented. In turn, that insight can be used to improve our participation processes and enhance diversity.

For Community Solar efforts, OER ran a White Glove Pilot Program to guide two electric distribution customers on the Income-Eligible rate (A-60 customers) through signing up and participating in Rhode Island’s Community Solar opportunities. The purpose of this pilot was for OER to better understand the needs and challenges of A-60 customers regarding participation in Community Solar opportunities as well as supporting a more equitable distribution of the benefits of Community Solar. OER also established a Low and Moderate Income (LMI) working group specific to Community Solar. This group discussed various barriers to participation that existed and attempts to address them through program changes.

Other efforts included partnering with trusted community organizations to establish foundational definitions pertaining to energy equity and using those to collaboratively develop equity metrics that can be used to track and monitor progress as part of Rhode Island’s 100% Renewable Electricity by 2030 Report. Additional agencies that OER worked to establish ongoing relationships with included Rhode Island Housing and the Rhode Island Office of Diversity, Equity & Opportunity. Community organizations that OER also partners with for these efforts include, but are not limited to, Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), Groundwork RI, the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee, the George Wiley Center, People’s Port Authority, Youth in Action (YIA), and NeighborWorks. To better conduct and assist with these community outreach efforts, OER also hired a full-time Energy Justice Program Manager.

Goals and metrics for tracking progress

The Office of Energy Resources (OER), recognizing the importance of equity in energy programs, hired a full-time Energy Justice Program Manager in 2019. This staff member is focused on energy equity and is integrated into all of OER's workstreams to help explore specific policies and data around improving the equity of our state’s energy work. Recommendations made by the Energy Justice Program Manager that have been implemented by OER include: equity focused on public participation protocols and guidance, updated data demonstrating energy burden in communities across Rhode Island, and the beginning of an effort to map current deployment of clean energy assets and investments, as can be seen in the map of electric vehicle charging stations in the State.

Other state reports and utility-based programming in Rhode Island have included targeted funding and recommendations to increase investment in sectors or areas serving marginalized communities. Thanks to the efforts of this position, the State and the utilities are making a concentrated effort to track the success and efficacy of these efforts and develop additional metrics, with significant community input, to evaluate how local marginalized groups are impacted by energy policy and programming.

Rhode Island's State Energy Plan - Energy 2035 - establishes a number of policies that direct support towards low-income and underserved customers. Specifically, it charges the Department of Human Services to oversee the WAP and LIHEAP programs, including the Henry Shelton Act which provides enhanced funding (~$6.5-$7.5million per year) from the State to the LIHEAP program. There is also a provision calling for the continued exploration of targeted energy efficiency programming for delivered fuels customers, which is an underserved population in Rhode Island. One outgrowth of this effort was that in 2019, through the Utility run Energy Efficiency (EE) program, delivered fuels customers were able to receive enhanced incentives for Air Source Heat Pump installations. The recently released Heating Sector Transformation in Rhode Island Report also advocates for the equitable transition of the heating sector through its policy recommendations, and encourages program designs that deliver appropriate incentives and financing opportunities for low-income customers that address first-cost barriers and energy burdens, and tracks the success of those efforts. Lastly, the utility's annual energy efficiency plans dictate a certain amount of spending on the income-eligible (e.g., low-income) sector. In 2019's Annual Energy Efficiency Plan (Docket 4888) National Grid sets funding levels of residential income eligible programs at 14% of implementation funding for electric programs and 26% of implementation funding for natural gas programs.

Workforce Development

Increasing the size and skill of the Rhode Island clean energy workforce has been a priority since the inception of the State Energy Plan in order to ensure all cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities can be pursued. A component of the Grid Modernization Working Group was focused on identifying barriers in the workforce supply chain and developing strategies for recruitment and training to mitigate those. That focus is echoed in the recently released Heating Sector Transformation Report, which identifies workforce growth - particularly in emerging technology areas like heat pumps - as a key strategy to deploy in order to meet Rhode Island's decarbonization goals. In order to implement these strategies, the State has often utilized the Utility run energy efficiency programs as a vehicle for enhancing the workforce through targeted training and recruitment opportunities (often with waived enrollment fees). This partnership has led to significant growth in the RI clean energy workforce over the years, with a 25% increase in jobs since 2015. Additional emphasis was placed on workforce development in the 2021-2023 Three-Year plan, with a focus on increased contractor training around heat-pump technology, enhanced recruitment and partnerships with colleges/universities/vocational schools to promote Energy Efficiency as a career, providing more training opportunities to existing workers looking to upskill or transition away from work in the delivered fuels sector, and promoting more participation in building operator certification trainings, to name a few. The Office of Energy Resources collaborates with the Rhode Island Commerce Department each year to conduct a clean energy jobs report in order to track the industry and find ways to support growth, which is in direct service of Gov. Raimondo's 20,000 clean energy jobs by 2020 goal.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

The Global Warming Solutions Act passed in 2020 requires the preparation of Vermont Climate Action Plan (‘the Plan’) by December 1, 2021. The Vermont Climate Council (VCC), created by Global Warming Solutions Act of 2020, has taken a unique and targeted approach to community engagement with traditionally marginalized and impacted communities as it seeks to develop Vermont's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The Council, through the Just Transitions subcommittee, is working in coordination with consultants to "co-create" a public engagement plan with Vermont communities, particularly focused on those most impacted. This process is currently underway. The co-creation process aims to both engage with communities that are typically not engaged well and develop the public engagement plan for the VCC CAP process. This strategy will utilize multiple communication mediums to engage these communities and the public at large, including interviews, focus groups and round tables, and online surveys and polling platforms. In particular, the process will begin with 15 one-on-one interviews and two roundtables of community leaders (one BIPOC specific affinity space) to inform the development of public engagement plan. The Department of Public Service (PSD), assisted by other state agencies, is also in the process of writing the state's Comprehensive Energy Plan (which occurs every six years). The PSD is working closely with the VCC and their consultants to coordinate on this stakeholder engagement, so as to not overburden communities and make sure insights from the process are incorporated into both plans.

All VT EEU's have low-income sector minimum spending requirements. Additionally, Efficiency Vermont has conducted a statewide energy burden study to determine the areas of the state with the highest energy burdens for targeting efficiency programs. Distribution utilities, which operate Renewable Energy Standard Tier 3 programs for fossil fuel reduction, must achieve equity in all sectors, including low-income, in measure/programs offerings. Programs include incentives for CCHPs, weatherization, and Electric Vehicles. Numerous other efforts are underway to develop tools to help further evaluate how initiatives are affecting marginalized groups. The State of Vermont has developed an Equity Impact Assessment tool to help agencies evaluate policies across numerous dimensions - such as which communities will benefit from policies, how adverse impacts will be mitigated, community engagement and consultation, and the metrics and data required to track or evaluate the program. The VCC through their Just Transitions subcommittee is also in the process of developing a series of guiding principles for a just transition, including a series of questions and draft equity scoring rubric, to help the VCC evaluate potential recommendations for inclusion in the Climate Action Plan.

Workforce Development

The 2022 VT CEP identifies Weatherization workforce development as a critical component to address to meet energy goals. The General Assembly directed funds in 2021 for Efficiency Vermont to begin to specifically address workforce issues that relate to weatherization. Once workers are available, they must be properly trained; if the weatherization is not done properly, energy savings will not materialize. For example, the Weatherization Assistance Program subsidizes the first three months of employment in recognition of the initial training needs.

Last Reviewed: July 2021

Community and stakeholder engagement

The state's 2021 State Energy Strategy centered around equity, with an equity lens being used to frame the executive summary as well as an introductory chapter devoted to equitable policy design. One of the most critical pieces of this equity chapter was identifying who has been left out in the clean energy transition by "ensuring public participation and inclusion of historically marginalized voices" (pg 24, Equity chapter). However, to date these community engagement strategies are still underdevelopment. In the 2021 Legislative session, Washington state passed a bill that directs agencies to incorporate environmental justice into its strategic plan (SB 5141), including the development of a robust community engagement plan (see bill language, section 13). Supported by this new statewide mandate, the State Energy Strategy will be part of a greater effort across state agencies to ensure that marginalized voices are centered in the grant programs, agency request legislation, and other significant actions taken by the agency.

Goals and metrics for tracking progress

In 2019, legislation was passed that created a prevailing priority across all CEF grant programs: priority must be given to projects that benefit vulnerable populations including Tribes and communities with high environmental or energy burden. Further, a new allocation of funds was established specifically for community solar projects that provide benefit to low-income households, low-income tribal housing programs, affordable housing providers, and nonprofit organizations providing services to low-income communities. Also in 2019, the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) was passed, creating new low-income and equity provisions for energy planning in WA. 19.405.120 RCW (Energy assistance for low-income households) mandates that all electric utilities in WA make programs and funding available for low-income households (a threshold to be decided upon by UTC and Commerce) prioritizing those with high energy burden (> 6%). Additionally, all electric utilities must provide data to Commerce on the amount of money spent on energy assistance programs, how many households and household type every other year. Utilities must also submit a biennial assessment report analyzing the effectiveness of programs (short-term and sustained) to reduce energy burden, outreach strategies including tribal consultation and language access and the funding levels necessary to meet: (A) 60% current energy assistance need, or increase of 15% from 2018, by 2030; and (B) 90% current energy assistance need by 2050. Utilities are mandated to make progress on these goals as part of compliance with CETA.

CETA also included equity provisions as part of the utility planning process. In addition to electricity being reliable, clean, safe and affordable, it must be equitable as well. Provisions as part of the 2030 greenhouse gas neutral standard (19.405.040(8) RCW) include language that states that every customer must benefit from the transition to clean energy including through an equitable distribution of benefits to highly impacted communities (19.405.020(23) RCW) and vulnerable populations (19.405.020(40) RCW). This requirement also extends to two new utility planning documents, the Clean Energy Implementation Plan (19.405.060 RCW) and Clean Energy Action Plan (19.280.030 RCW), where utilities must include these requirements as part of their long-term planning. The rules for how this will be implemented are still in process. There is also a new requirement that integrated resource plans include an analysis informed by a cumulative impacted analysis based on a mapping tool currently being developed by the WA State Department of Health. Commerce and the UTC will develop rules to implement this tool into the utility planning process.

Commerce incorporated specific income, air quality, transportation and energy justice indicators into two of the agency's most recent Clean Energy Fund grants (EV infrastructure and LI Community Solar). The state plans to track these indicators across the census tracts of applicants to monitor changes to the environmental or health factors the indicators measure.

Workforce Development

CETA includes incentives for workforce development in the form of a tax credit for using certain labor standards. The statutes includes a 50 percent tax exemption for projects that make a good-faith effort at “procurement from and contracts with women, minority, or veteran-owned businesses; procurement from and contracts with entities that have a history of complying with federal and state wage and hour laws and regulations; apprenticeship utilization; and preferred entry for workers living in the area where the project is being constructed,” 75 percent tax exemption for projects that meet the above criteria and also “compensate workers at prevailing wage rates determined by local collective bargaining," and a 100 percent tax exemption for projects “developed under a community workforce agreement or project labor agreement,” as certified by the WA Department of Labor and industries.

Last Reviewed: July 2021