Compared to other cities in the United States, Philadelphia faces some of the highest energy burdens, when a high percentage of income goes to energy bills. High energy burden has profound impacts on quality of life: it is associated with increased vulnerability to indebtedness, poverty, poor health outcomes, and increased risk of eviction, homelessness, and displacement. High energy burden impacts both homeowners and renters and disproportionately affects the City’s historically marginalized and vulnerable communities, leaving many Philadelphians unable to access and afford energy for basic household needs. This burden will grow as Philadelphia becomes hotter with climate change.
In response to these challenges, the Office of Sustainability (OOS) has developed the Energy Poverty Alleviation Strategy, a roadmap for ensuring equitable energy access, affordability and security. The strategy prioritizes the energy needs of the city’s historically marginalized residents to ensure that all Philadelphians – especially those most impacted by and vulnerable to climate impacts – can participate in and benefit from the city’s clean energy transition.
The Energy Poverty Alleviation Strategy is a near-term action plan to reduce the City’s emissions and achieve the Office of Sustainability’s vision of a city where all Philadelphians can access and afford energy that is clean, healthy, and safe.
To develop the strategy, OOS listened to feedback from six energy-burdened communities in Philadelphia and collaborated with government departments, community organizations, and stakeholders. The strategy aims to:
- Support and strengthen Philadelphia’s energy programs and services to address challenges in access, delivery, programmatic gaps, and scaling;
- Implement and advocate for enabling legislation and incentives at the local and state level; and
- Strengthen and support the city’s community and partner network.
As Philadelphia takes steps to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, the Energy Poverty Alleviation Strategy is vital for ensuring that citywide efforts to reduce emissions and transition to clean energy are equitable and just. By addressing energy burden and alleviating energy poverty, we can advance Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s vision of transforming Philadelphia into the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation, with economic opportunity for all.
