Justice Implications of Clean Energy Policies and Programs in the United States: A Theoretical and Empirical Exploration

Shan Zhou,Douglas Noonan

doi:10.3390/su11030807

Abstract

This paper offers both theoretical and empirical analyses to explore energy justice from a policy perspective. We first propose a framework that explicitly connects core functions of clean energy policy instruments (i.e., regulation, financial incentive, government provision, information, and education program) to philosophical groundings of energy justice—distributive, procedural, and recognition justice. To empirically explore distributive energy justice, we examine the racial and socioeconomic disparities in three government-driven clean energy programs in the United States, including (1) the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) smart-grid investment grant (SGIG); (2) utility smart-meter roll out programs; and (3) city government adoption of green buildings. Results showed that the amount of ARRA funding awarded to utilities was closely related to racial composition. Inequalities were also found in utility smart-meter programs. Utilities operating in communities with a larger Hispanic population were less likely to initiate smart-meter roll out. The intensity of smart-meter technology implementation was positively correlated with education levels. Our third empirical case showed that government procurement policy can improve distributive equity for energy-efficient buildings. However, its spillover effects on the private sector can result in more adoptions in areas with fewer minorities and more highly-educated residents.

Highlights

Rooted in and built upon environmental and climate justice research, the energy justice literature focuses on equity issues in the processes of energy production, distribution, consumption, and system transition
To establish a theoretical framework in which to organize the wide array of clean-energy-related policies and programs with prominent justice components, we propose beginning with a standard taxonomy of common policy instruments in the clean energy policy regime in the United States
The results demonstrate that utilities serving lower-income communities are more likely to receive smart-grid investment grant (SGIG) funding

Summary

Introduction

Rooted in and built upon environmental and climate justice research, the energy justice literature focuses on equity issues in the processes of energy production, distribution, consumption, and system transition. Sovacool and his colleagues [1] define energy justice as “a global energy system that fairly distributes both the benefits and burdens of energy services, and one that contributes to more representative and inclusive energy decision-making”. Energy justice can be examined through the lenses of three philosophic tenets in social justice literature: distributive, recognition and procedural justice. Procedural justice calls for more democracy, openness, and inclusion in processes of decision-making [5]. The three tenets have been applied to investigate equity issues throughout the whole energy system, from the siting of infrastructure [6], to the extraction of energy resources [7], to energy consumption [8]

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Results

Conclusion