The Challenge

The Protecting Our Energy Project (POE) addresses energy injustice and economic inequities in Georgia, where rising energy rates disproportionately burden historically marginalized communities. These challenges, exacerbated by systemic barriers like inequitable energy policies and limited access to affordable energy solutions, force low-income households – especially Black and Brown communities – to allocate a significant portion of their income to energy costs. The issue is urgent as continued rate hikes increase financial strain, deepen poverty, and hinder access to basic necessities.

The Opportunity

POE presents an opportunity to empower communities to advocate for equitable energy policies. By training energy equity fellows, the project equips residents to challenge systemic barriers, create public awareness, and influence regulatory decisions. Beyond addressing immediate energy burdens, POE fosters long-term advocacy and leadership, amplifying community voices and laying the groundwork for systemic change.

Empowering Marginalized Communities Through Energy Advocacy: A Toolkit

This toolkit serves as a guide for launching community-driven energy justice initiatives. It distills lessons from the Protecting Our Energy Project into actionable steps for addressing systemic energy inequities while centering marginalized voices. Key steps include:

  • Assess Community Needs: Identify energy challenges and their impact on vulnerable populations through surveys, data analysis, and community dialogue.
  • Build Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, policymakers, and advocacy groups to pool resources and expertise.
  • Develop Inclusive Programs: Train community fellows and create accessible engagement opportunities that address logistical barriers.
  • Launch Advocacy Campaigns: Use culturally resonant strategies to raise awareness and mobilize public action.
  • Evaluate and Sustain Efforts: Measure outcomes and adapt strategies to ensure long-term success.

At the end of this toolkit, you’ll find a case study of the Protecting Our Energy project. This example highlights specific approaches, partnership, and outcomes that can inspire and inform similar efforts in your community.

The Process

Identify systemic barriers such as inequitable rate-setting policies and limited access to energy efficiency programs. Conduct surveys and engage residents to understand their lived experiences with energy burdens.

Questions to Consider:

  • What are the most pressing energy challenges in the community, and how do they intersect with other systemic inequities?
  • How do current energy policies affect marginalized populations, and what gaps exist in support systems?
  • What are the unique cultural, historical, or economic factors that must be considered to address these challenges effectively?

Form coalitions with organizations like the Arm in Arm for Climate through the Power for Southern People Not Southern Company  (P4PSPNSC) and grassroots groups to provide training and advocacy support. Collaborate with community leaders to ensure the project reflects local priorities.

Questions to Consider:

  • Who are the key stakeholders, including community leaders, advocacy groups, and policymakers, that should be involved?
  • How can partnerships with grassroots organizations enhance credibility and ensure the project aligns with community priorities?
  • What resources, expertise, or networks can each partner contribute to the initiative?

Train energy equity fellows from marginalized communities to advocate for affordable, sustainable energy. Use accessible platforms, such as virtual meetings, to increase participation.

Questions to Consider:

  • How will the project center the voices and needs of marginalized communities?
  • What barriers might prevent community participation, and how can they be mitigated?
  • How can the program design ensure inclusivity and equity at every stage?

Launch campaigns that educate and mobilize residents. Use tools like public comment sessions and petitions to influence policymakers. Regularly collect feedback to refine the project.

Questions to Consider:

  • What methods will be used to engage the community, and how will success be measured?
  • How will the project gather and incorporate feedback from participants and stakeholders?
  • What tools or platforms will be most effective for outreach and advocacy in this community?

Case Study: Protecting Our Energy Project

Introduction

The Protecting Our Energy Project (POE), led by Diamond Spratling of Girl Plus Environment and one of our UNUM Climate & Environment Fellows, was designed to address critical energy inequities faced by Black, Brown, and low-income communities in Georgia. These communities are disproportionately burdened by rising energy costs due to systemic inequities in energy policy, infrastructure, and representation in decision-making processes. Through training local advocates, launching a culturally resonant digital campaign, and fostering partnerships, the project seeks to reduce energy burdens, amplify marginalized voices, and promote equitable energy policies.

Context and Background

Diamond Spratling, the founder and executive director of Girl Plus Environment, has long been dedicated to addressing environmental and social inequities. Her participation in the UNUM Climate & Environment Leadership Cohort provided an opportunity to further this mission through Protecting Our Energy Project.

Like many other states, Georgia has experienced rising energy rates, approved by the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC). These rates disproportionately affect low-income households, many of whom spend over 10% of their income on energy costs. This “energy burden” is compounded by a lack of investment in energy-efficient infrastructure in marginalized communities and limited opportunities for these communities to influence policy decisions.

The Protecting Our Energy Project seeks to address these challenges by equipping community leaders with advocacy skills and creating platforms for collective action. By amplifying the voices of those directly impacted, the project aims to shift power dynamics in energy policy and promote lasting change.

The project is wrapping up its third cohort in 2024 and has an opportunity to expand the program to Mobile, Alabama through a generous $100,000 grant from the CDC Foundation in 2025. The makeup of the cohorts has expanded over time. The first cohort consisted of women of color based in Atlanta working through the project for three months. The second cohort was made up of young people from energy burdened areas in Atlanta between the ages of 18 to 25 who had a particular interest in championing clean energy and energy justice initiatives, and the program was expanded to six months. The 2024 Cohort involved Black business women from the Atlanta area and again lasted six months.

The Protecting Our Energy Project was designed with a clear mission: to address the disproportionate energy burdens faced by marginalized communities in Georgia while fostering community empowerment and systemic change. The project creates opportunities for those most affected by energy inequities to lead advocacy efforts and influence policy decisions. By combining grassroots organizing with strategic digital campaigns, POE seeks to amplify community voices and push for equitable and sustainable energy policies. The core objectives of the project are to:

  • Empower Local Leaders: Train energy equity fellows from marginalized communities to advocate for affordable, sustainable energy policies.
  • Raise Awareness: Launch a digital campaign to educate and mobilize residents, reaching a wide audience and spotlighting the urgency of energy justice.
  • Influence Policy: Build public pressure on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to prioritize equitable energy practices, ensuring marginalized voices are included in decision-making.

The project emphasized the importance and significance of collaboration and community involvement to reach its goals.

Key Stakeholders Involved:

  • The Climate Advocacy Lab: Provided critical training materials and strategic guidance.
  • P4SPNSC Coalition: Leveraged local networks and insights to enhance community outreach.
  • Community Members: Played a central role in identifying challenges and shaping advocacy strategies.

Engagement Strategies:
Community forums, listening sessions, and surveys allowed residents to share their experiences and priorities, ensuring the project was responsive to their needs. The training of energy equity fellows—individuals from the affected communities—further strengthened ties and fostered trust. Digital campaigns extended the project’s reach, engaging over 10,000 residents and amplifying their voices.

The Protecting Our Energy Project (POE) followed a structured and community-centered approach to address systemic energy inequities. The implementation steps ensured that each phase of the project was rooted in thorough research, strategic partnerships, and active community engagement. This phased approach allowed the project to adapt to challenges while staying aligned with its goals.

  1. Research and Planning:
    The project began with a thorough assessment of energy burdens in Georgia’s marginalized communities, identifying root causes and systemic barriers. This phase included gathering data, hosting listening sessions, and consulting with local advocates.
  2. Recruitment and Training:
    Energy equity fellows were recruited from impacted communities. They received hands-on training in energy policy, advocacy, and community organizing, equipping them to lead local efforts effectively.
  3. Digital Advocacy Campaign:
    A culturally resonant campaign was launched to raise awareness and mobilize action. Using storytelling and accessible messaging, the campaign highlighted the human impact of energy inequities, inspiring widespread engagement.
  4. Community Events and Engagement:
    Fellows organized forums and events to educate residents and encourage participation in advocacy efforts, such as submitting public comments and signing petitions.

Evaluation and Adaptation:
Feedback was collected through surveys and debrief sessions, enabling the project to refine its strategies and better meet community needs.

The Protecting Our Energy Project achieved significant milestones that demonstrate its impact on both the community and the policy landscape. These successes not only alleviated immediate energy burdens but also laid the groundwork for sustained advocacy and systemic change.

  • Empowered Advocates: Energy equity fellows became trusted leaders, organizing their communities and influencing policy discussions.
  • Broad Engagement: The digital campaign reached over 10,000 people, raising awareness and mobilizing action.

Increased Representation: The project amplified marginalized voices in policy debates, creating pressure for equitable energy solutions.

Like any ambitious initiative, POE encountered several challenges that required creative problem-solving and adaptability. From logistical hurdles to skepticism about advocacy efforts, the project team faced and overcame these obstacles with persistence and innovation.

  • Community Hesitation: Initial skepticism about the project’s potential impact was addressed by clearly communicating goals and demonstrating early successes.
  • Recruitment: This year’s cohort involved Black businesswomen in the Atlanta area, presenting unique challenges in recruitment. Many potential participants faced time constraints due to demanding professional and personal responsibilities. The project team worked to address these challenges by offering flexible schedules and emphasizing the value of the fellowship in building advocacy skills that could complement their leadership roles.
  • Logistical Barriers: Limited access to transportation and digital tools required creative solutions, such as hosting virtual meetings and providing stipends.
  • Complex Regulatory Landscape: Understanding and influencing energy policy required expert guidance and additional training for fellows.

The Protecting Our Energy Project provided invaluable insights into building community-driven initiatives for energy justice. By centering the voices of those most affected and fostering collaboration, the project demonstrated how grassroots efforts can drive meaningful change.

  • Community-Centered Approach: Actively involving residents in decision-making built trust and ensured the project’s relevance.
  • Collaborative Partnerships: Partnerships with local organizations and experts were critical to navigating complex challenges and amplifying impact.
  • Flexibility and Adaptation: Regular feedback loops allowed the project to remain responsive to community needs and logistical hurdles.

Equity was at the heart of every aspect of the Protecting Our Energy Project. From its inception to its execution, the project prioritized the voices and needs of marginalized communities, ensuring that systemic barriers were dismantled and equitable outcomes were achieved.

  • Centering Marginalized Voices: Black, Brown, and low-income residents were not only beneficiaries but also drivers of the project’s strategies and outcomes.
  • Addressing Systemic Barriers: The project dismantled inequities in energy policy by equipping residents with advocacy tools and creating pathways for representation.
  • Equity-Driven Outcomes: Participants gained advocacy skills, and communities saw increased access to resources and representation in energy policy discussions.

The Protecting Our Energy Project has already begun to transform Georgia’s energy landscape by empowering communities and influencing policy discussions, and is now being expanded to Mobile, Alabama made possible through a $100,000 grant from the CDC Foundation.

Community Impact: Residents now have the tools and confidence to advocate for their rights, and the project’s digital campaign has inspired a broader conversation about energy justice.

Future Goals: The project aims to expand its reach, training more fellows and fostering greater collaboration between communities, organizations, and policymakers. By continuing to center equity and amplify marginalized voices, POE hopes to inspire systemic policy changes that prioritize energy affordability, accessibility, and sustainability.

What Comes Next?

EPU serves as a resource to community leaders, policymakers, and advocates across the South to help them take actionable steps to accelerate positive change. These resources include, but are not limited to:

  • Research and analysis
  • Technical assistance
  • Policy development

We would love to connect with you and discuss the change you want to make. Here are ways you can contact us.

E-mail Us

We can be reached at info@unumfund.org

Visit Us

Visit our EPU Policy page for more information.

Additional Resources

See all our policy toolkits and Big Ideas for Racial Equity.