So you want a more equitable grid

Utilities, by and large, and the federal government both agree that our grid needs to be more equitable. 

The Department of Energy has sought to spur solar and storage development in low- and moderate-income areas as part of the agency’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) initiative. 

Here’s how the DOE described the move: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a slate of new efforts, including $15.5 million in new funding, to support solar energy deployment in underserved communities and build a diverse, skilled workforce. These initiatives will help families and businesses that have been left behind in the clean energy transition to reap the benefits of cheaper power and access to highly-skilled jobs. Together, these efforts reflect the Biden Administration’s commitment to launching every American worker and community into a greener future.

Utilities, whether it be by their own volition or in an attempt to win support from government programs, have also embraced equity. In an interview with Energy Central, Seattle City Light’s Energy Innovation and Resources Officer talked about the industry’s emerging interest in equity and explained its meaning:

"I’ve been in the utility business now going on two decades and it’s been really great to see this become a central conversation. Basically, equity means people should have access to opportunities and basic resources regardless of their specific identities or backgrounds. For us, specifically, equity is about a more inclusive and fair energy system for our customers. Of course, we have the great advantage of being a public utility, so we exist to be a community asset. That’s always been the case for us, yet historically we’ve had policies and structures that have been exclusionary. So, as we transition to clean energy, it’s important that we don’t create new inequities. For example, we can’t allow the burden of infrastructure to fall on lower-income communities as it historically has. We need to build an electrification system that’s not just about $70,000 Teslas, but also the public transit so many in our community rely on."

However, just because a utility is onboard with an equitable grid, that doesn’t mean they know how to achieve it. A big part of the problem is that the decision makers at many utilities are relatively homogeneous in their backgrounds. This is not a knock against anyone, it’s just to say that diverse workforces are better suited to making decisions that will affect a diverse customer base. 

Remedying this problem is not easy. At this moment, it’s hard enough to fill positions, let alone to find and entice the ideal candidate.

To attract a more diverse field of employees, however, a logical first step is to make your company more welcoming to different types of people. Unfortunately, this too is easier said than done. The simple fact of the matter is that we are yet to really crack the D&I code. Substack journalist and VOX co-founder Matt Iglesisas explored the topic in a lengthy blog post last summer. I’ll copy and paste some noteworthy excerpts from the article. Trigger warning, however…it’s all pretty discouraging: 

“Do people who undergo training usually shed their biases? Researchers have been examining that question since before World War II, in nearly a thousand studies. It turns out that while people are easily taught to respond correctly to a questionnaire about bias, they soon forget the right answers. The positive effects of diversity training rarely last beyond a day or two, and a number of studies suggest that it can activate bias or spark a backlash. Nonetheless, nearly half of midsize companies use it, as do nearly all the Fortune 500."

Luckily, utilities have another tool at their disposal: community engagement. Polling, town hall style meetings, and other events that bring utility workers into direct conversation with community members will give the utility an idea of what their customers need. 

The emerging conversation surrounding energy justice and an equitable grid is very encouraging. Although there is no silver bullet to making it happen, I’m optimistic that this ongoing dialogue will spur innovative solutions. On that note, please feel free to share any ideas you have in the comments.