Many families in the U.S. are struggling. The cost of energy is just one more thing that adds to the stress that many of us are experiencing, especially those of us in low-income neighborhoods. Utility scale solar projects are on the rise in many cities across the country, but how are these cities distributing this energy? Another big question is how the new tariffs will affect these projects? Will wealthier municipalities with high energy prices continue to grow their solar infrastructure, while lower income areas pay the price? For far too long we have our neighborhoods been swept under the rug while we watch the more affluent parts of town flourish. We must seek and demand energy equality, and our demand must be met.
The wealth gap is only deepened when our neighbors on the “right” side of the tracks are the only ones that can afford the initial investment in solar technology for their homes. As Charles Fanniel explains in his article for AZCentral, “bad policies can keep the benefits of renewable energy in the hands of the affluent few…” To illustrate this point, in 2015 Hawaii when the traditional utility company began to lose money due to the amount of homes and businesses that converted to solar, those that remained coal-dependent saw an astronomical increase in their energy bill. This is an issue that we see throughout America. Gregory Reed of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Energy explains that this is because, “The costs to that group (those that are not wealthy) began to rise in terms of having to pay for their electricity consumption because it needed to be spread out over fewer customers.” For example, 87-year-old Barbara Williams, resident of a poorer black neighborhood in Pittsburgh, has seen her gas bill surge to over $300 in the winter time, and this was only with moderate use. These practices by those that have a monopoly on traditional utilities are aimed at keeping us dependent on expensive energy while directly contributing to the wealth gap in the United States. It is time for us to get loud about this issue and demand of our policy makers access to affordable, renewable alternatives. And our demand must be met.
What we need are politicians in our cities that will advocate for utility-scale projects that will reach our inner-city, low-income communities so our grandmothers don’t have to weather a cold winter night in order to keep food on their tables or the roofs over their heads. Unfortunately, what we have are leaders that line their pockets with money from the utility companies to maintain their dominant role as energy providers. In 2017 alone, the utility industry contributed more than $3.6 million to political organizations. The utility companies were not donating this money with a charitable mindset. No, they were making an investment and expecting a financial return, which they will get. We need start holding our elected officials accountable by voting those out of office that only perpetuate the problems they claim to have a desire to solve. We must demand energy equality, and our demands must be met.
So, is there a major U.S. city that is taking steps in providing solar energy to low-income communities? Fortunately, the answer is yes. In 2012, the Denver Housing Authority signed an agreement with a third-party power provider that would make 2.5-megawatts of solar energy available to those in low-income housing, such as section 8 and public housing. Another project of the Denver Housing Authority is a 2-megawatt community solar system that will serve low-income housing in the Denver area. Because of the diligence in Denver Housing Authority and the state of Colorado, around 20-megawatts of renewable energy should be available to low-income families within the next few years. In a city that takes great pride in the cleanliness of its locality, it seems that they are genuinely working toward an all-inclusive solution. Denver has shown us what is possible. We need to look at programs such as these and demand energy equality in every city. And our demand must be met.
As for the new solar tariffs, cities such as Davis, California already pay high rates for traditional utilities. Since the initial investment in residential solar system installations is dwarfed by the quick return, the tariffs should not greatly affect these areas. Also, as Denver has shown, there are regions throughout the country that have major projects in the works that will not feel the brunt of the tariffs. However, emerging markets and areas such as Florida and Texas with lower traditional energy costs will most likely not start any new projects, which will leave them further behind in solar infrastructure, leading to the paying higher costs down the road. Therefore, it is important for us to let our politicians and administrators at every level of government from the White House to the local housing authority, in every state and municipality, that we demand energy equality, and our demand must be met.
So, I say to you, there is hope in our fight for energy equality. Too long have we watched our neighborhoods decay while our city officials pay lip service to social equality. Too long have we watched our grandmothers suffer the bitterly cold winters in fear of losing their independence. Too long have we watched our elected officials line their pockets with the money of those that only wish to perpetuate our plight. Let Denver’s model be an example to other cities in providing energy equality. But it is up to us to remind the powers-that-be that we exist and will not be ignored. Remind them that we demand energy equality, and our demand must be met!
References
Fanniel, Charles. “My Turn: Put Solar Power in the Poor's Hands. It'll Pay off for All.” Azcentral, The Republic | Azcentral.com, 25 Aug. 2017, www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2017/08/25/solar-in-poor-hands-will-pay-off-for-everyone/591369001/.
Staff, Marketplace. “It's Not Easy Being Green When You're Poor.” Marketplace, Marketplace, 21 Mar. 2018, www.marketplace.org/2018/02/06/sustainability/its-not-easy-being-green-when-youre-poor.
Kasper, Matt. “Utilities Contributing Millions of Dollars to Political Groups in 2017.” Energy and Policy Institute, 26 Feb. 2018, www.energyandpolicy.org/utility-companies-contributions-to-political-party-groups/.
Mendelsohn, Mike. “Expanding Solar in Low-Income Communities: Lessons From Denver.” GreenTechMedia, 16 Feb. 2018, www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/expanding-solar-in-low-income-communities#gs.PoOG6Ms.
Nitzkin, Aaron. “Cool Davis: Federal Solar Tariffs Not a Disincentive.” Davis Enterprise, 13 Feb. 2018, www.davisenterprise.com/community/federal-solar-tariffs-not-a-disincentive-for-davis/.