RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE RESOLUTION ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES
- All parties that affect the energy system must commit to working with local communities, particularly low-income and minority communities, as equal partners when making energy choices;
- Utility and environmental regulators must prevent further clustering of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants in low-income and minority communities by including equity criteria and cumulative environmental impact assessments in the siting process;
- Federal and state legislators, utility and environmental regulators, and energy providers must work with local communities to maximize energy efficiency measures in all communities, so low-income, minority and tribal communities in particular can benefit from a higher quality of life, greater energy independence, and lower bills;
- Federal and state legislators, utility and environmental regulators, and energy producers must shift our present energy supply from fossil fuels and nuclear toward cleaner energy sources such as solar, wind, and fuel cells in all affected communities as appropriate and in ways that create living-wage jobs and build community wealth;
- Federal and state legislators and utility regulators should adopt electricity restructuring policies that offer affordable and stable electricity rates to low-income communities, shun subsidies to nuclear and fossil fuels, and expand cleaner energy solutions;
- Fuel companies must commit to mass-producing cleaner fuels while operating refineries in ways that do not pose health and environmental risks to the surrounding community or threats to worker safety;
- Industries in low-income, minority and tribal communities must commit to adopting the cleanest available energy options available through lower materials use, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and cleaner fuels;
- Federal and state governments must consult with tribes to supply technical and financial resources for renewable energy and energy efficiency while respecting their unique sovereign status;
- Environmental justice groups, low-income energy advocates, clean energy advocates, community development organizations, labor unions, energy providers, elected officials, and local citizens must commit to working together to craft clean, affordable local energy and transportation models.
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Association for Energy Affordability California Planning and Conservation League Californians for Renewable Energy Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment Citizens Power of Pennsylvania Communities for a Better Environment Corporation for Enterprise Development Environmental Advocates Episcopal Power and Light Esperanza Environmental Justice Project 475 Kent Avenue Tenants Association Friends of the Earth U.S.* Georgians for Clean Energy Global Exchange Global Green USA GreenAction Greenpeace USA* Hickory Woods Homeowners Association Indigenous Environmental Network Institute for Local Self-Reliance Intertribal Council on Utility Policy Land and Water Fund of the Rockies Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation Loka Institute Low-Income Energy Affordability Network Magnolia Tree Earth Center Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy |
Natural Resources Defense Council* Neighborhoods First Alliance of San Antonio New Community Builders New York City Environmental Justice Alliance New York Lawyers for the Public Interest New York Public Interest Research Group The Next Generation Northwest Energy Coalition Pacific Institute for Development, Environment and Security/Green Power Institute Physicians for Social Responsibility The Point CDC Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development Project Underground Public Citizen* Public Utility Law Project Redefining Progress Renewable Energy Policy Project Texas Legal Services Center Texas Ratepayers' Organization to Save Energy Texas Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition The United Tribes of North Dakota Union of Concerned Scientists* Urban Habitat Program Vermont Energy Investment Corporation West County Toxics Coalition Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice |
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A Message From REPP
Over 50 diverse groups from across the United States have come together to express common concerns and solutions for our energy system.Press Release Resolution Recommendations Supporters Fact Summary