A Message from Dr. Tony Reames, Deputy Director for Energy Justice

I am excited to use this inaugural newsletter to introduce the Office of Energy Justice Policy and Analysis (OEJPA) as well as celebrate 2 years as DOE's Deputy Director for Energy Justice. In 2021, the DOE approved an enhanced staffing plan to implement the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity's legislative mandate. The approved plan included the creation of an Office of Energy Justice Policy and Analysis. In March 2022, the Office officially launched with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. In July 2022, I was honored to become the first-ever Deputy Director for the Office of Energy Justice Policy and Analysis. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to buildout a brand-new government office and serve with a team of 18 dedicated public servants, made up of federal employees, contractors, consultants, visiting scholars, and interns. 

So, what does the Office of Energy Justice Policy & Analysis do? We conduct research and evaluation, policy analysis, and administer programs to advance equity, environmental and energy justice for minority communities and disadvantaged individuals.

1. Our research and evaluation include the identification of the socio-economic and environmental effects of Federal energy programs, policies, and regulations on minority communities and disadvantaged individuals.
2. Our policy analysis efforts include strong collaboration with other DOE offices to develop and analyze programs that accelerate the deployment and adoption of clean energy technologies by historically marginalized populations.
3. Our program administration includes designing and implementing programs that reduce clean energy adoption inequities for minority communities and disadvantaged individuals.

In addition to our statutory mandate, my team also leads the Department's implementation of the Justice40 Initiative, to ensure the benefits from our climate and clean energy investments flow to disadvantage communities.

While I know the fight for energy justice will not be won in a couple of years or by one Federal office, the march toward a more equitable and just clean energy future is in full effect. I also want you to know the team that you will meet throughout this newsletter is leading this effort. We look forward to keeping you informed about our work and the greater Department's efforts and financial assistance opportunities to advance energy justice. 

Yours in Energy Justice,

Dr. Tony Reames

Meet Zoe Walters, Office Manager

Zoe Walters is your front door to the Office of Energy Justice Policy & Analysis. Zoe assists the team with speaking requests, travel, scheduling, and other administrative support. She joins DOE after working for the National Institute of Health where she provided administrative support to 5 Scientists and their labs as they focused on finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. You can reach Zoe and the team at energyjustice@hq.doe.gov.

Government Publishes First-ever Environmental Justice Scorecard

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and the U.S. Digital Service published the Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, the first-ever government-wide assessment of federal agencies’ efforts to advance environmental justice. The first version of the Scorecard establishes a baseline for tracking the progress of 24 federal agencies in the following areas:

• Advancing the President's Justice40 Initiative
• Implementing and enforcing environmental and civil rights laws
• Embedding environmental justice throughout the federal government.

Over time, the Scorecard will show how the Administration’s actions are making meaningful changes in communities. The Scorecard incorporates recommendations from the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and feedback from the public, environmental justice stakeholders, and experts. You can view the Department of Energy's Scorecard below.

Energy Insecurity & Energy Transitions

On May 15, Chief Scientist Dr. Anjuli Jain Figueroa and Policy Analyst Michael Reiner participated in a webinar on Energy Insecurity & Energy Transitions — Obstacles & Opportunities with NYU's Institute for Policy Integrity. Panelists will share takeaways from their research and policy work at the nexus of energy insecurity and energy transitions. After a discussion of how to identify and measure energy insecurity, panelists will share their findings on how the energy security of low-income populations might be affected by different aspects of the energy transition. Panelists will also examine possible solutions, such as energy cost assistance programs and post-crisis opportunities. Finally, panelists will reflect on their research design strategies for ensuring that their research processes and results serve and benefit the communities they are engaging. The recording is available here.

Biden-Harris Administration Releases New Guidance on Solar, Wind Investments to Power Low-Income Communities, Comments Sought by June 30th

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program.  This Inflation Reduction Act credit program is designed to provide up to a 20% competitive boost on top of the existing 30% investment tax credit for qualified wind or solar energy property in low-income communities.

The publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register kicks off a 30-day comment period, ending on June 30, 2023. As detailed in the NPRM, Treasury will release final guidance on the 2023 program, including detailed application instructions, following the comment period. Later this year, Treasury will also begin accepting applications in the second half of 2023 for all four statutory categories, including:

1. Facilities located in low-income communities;
2. Facilities located on Indian land;
3. Facilities that are part of affordable housing; and
4. Facilities that deliver direct financial benefits to low-income households.

Renew America's Nonprofits. DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), Schools and Nonprofits team is excited to launch the Renew America’s Nonprofits grant – a first-of-its-kind $50 million engagement between DOE and the nonprofit sector which recognizes the central role that nonprofits play in American’s lives, and the nation’s clean energy transition. This funding seeks applications that address energy efficiency upgrades, which enable scalable impacts, create innovative partnerships, and leverage funding and economies of scale.

Important Dates

• June 29, 2023: Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission Deadline
• August 3, 2023: Full Application Deadline
• October 6, 2023: Expected Award Notifications

Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Must be submitted by an eligible 501c3 nonprofit organization interested in serving as a Prime Recipient.
• Submit 2-pages max Letter of Intent by emailing nonprofits@doe.gov - including “Renew America’s Nonprofits LOI" in the subject line.

Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP). The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) provides more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to support the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more energy-efficient and clean energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and communities.

Phase 1: Teams may apply to one of two pathways: 

Equity-Centered Innovation Pathway. Teams will propose a concept to deliver scalable and replicable upgrades to buildings in disadvantaged communities, low- and moderate-income households, and underserved commercial, nonprofit, and public buildings. Phase 1 Equity-Centered Innovation winners will each receive a $400,000 cash prize.

Open Innovation Pathway. Teams will propose a concept for replicable and scalable solutions that addresses a geographic area or building type. Phase 1 Open Innovation winners will each receive a $200,000 cash prize.

Winners of both pathways will be eligible to advance to Phase 2 and access technical assistance.

Important Dates

• July 18, 2023: Phase 1 Application Concludes
• September 2023: Phase 1 Winner Announcement
• October 2023: Phase 2 Opens

Energy Justice to the People Roadshow

In June of 2023, DOE’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) led a first-of-its kind contingent of nearly fifty members from across the federal government and philanthropy to Port Arthur, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. This was the second stop in the Energy Justice to the People Roadshow following April’s events in Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi, TX. Over the course of two days and one night, the Energy Justice to the People Delegation dived deep into place before engaging meaningfully with community members, elected officials, utility board members, advocacy organizations, and local government officials. Dr. Sara Wylie, Chris Gunn, and Dr. Tony Reames represented OEJPA on the roadshow. Read more.

International Energy Justice Engagement

Dr. Tony Reames delivered the opening keynote at CAMPUT's Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada. CAMPUT is non-profit association of Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial energy and utility regulators. In his speech, "Brave Leadership for the Energy Transition," Dr. Reames shared with the audience all of the ways the Department of Energy is integrating energy and environmental justice into its policy and program design and implementation.

Tribal Energy Justice Engagement

Chris Gunn spoke at the first annual Tribal Energy Equity Summit which brought together leaders from both Tribal and Federal government, along with tribe-supporting organizations, in Minnesota for four days of meaningful and effective dialogue about clean energy siting, interconnection and other critical considerations affecting a just transition. 

Energized for Success! AABE National Conference and Equity Action Challenge

OEJPA team members, Dr. Tony Reames, Veronica Jackson, Dr. Michael Garvey, and Alvin Bates, joined the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) during their Annual Conference in Houston, TX. The Conference theme was "Energized for Success: It's Time." The event gathered nearly 1,000 industry professionals, experts, and leaders committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the energy sector. Our engagement included opportunities to share Federal resources with attendees, discuss employment opportunities with the Department, and advance ongoing efforts toward creating a more equitable energy sector. Dr. Tony Reames and the team joined energy industry leaders for the AABE local impact Equity Action Challenge centered on Climate, Energy and Health. The group developed a goal to create a scalable, community mobilization approach and design a toolkit to maximize IRA benefits, and host town halls, in partnership with Houston leaders, starting with the most deserving Houston communities.