The NASEO Program in a Box for Engaging Underserved Rural and Low-Income Stakeholders offers examples and guidance on how State and Territory Energy Offices (State Energy Offices) can design and implement energy policies, programs, and plans informed by the needs of underserved rural and low-income populations. This Program in a Box includes examples of state engagement strategies and processes from New York, Minnesota, and Oregon.
State Energy Offices collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders as they develop energy plans, design and implement energy programs, and inform state energy policy development. As a result, many State Energy Offices are exploring strategies to facilitate more effective engagement of stakeholders, and in particular, with underserved rural and low-income communities to ensure they are considered in decision-making processes. The state initiatives highlighted in this Program in a Box can help State Energy Offices interested in developing or strengthening their inclusion of populations that have historically lacked representation in energy policy and program development discussions.
Value of a Strengthening Engagement with Underserved Rural and Low-Income Stakeholders
- Opportunity to establish and/or strengthen relationships with underserved stakeholders
- Ability to develop energy policies and programs informed by underserved stakeholders’ needs and priorities
- Improvement of communication with underserved stakeholders in various stages of energy policy and program development
State Energy Office Initiatives Used to Develop this Program in a Box
This Program in a Box was developed using examples of stakeholder engagement initiatives in Minnesota, New York, and Oregon. The Minnesota and New York processes are intended to engage stakeholders on a wide range of programs and policies, while the Oregon process is aimed at a particular program. While the Minnesota and New York examples focus on engagement with populations that have historically not had sufficient representation in energy policy and program decision making (including rural and low-income stakeholders), the Oregon process involved additional stakeholders, such as utilities, businesses, and local governments. Each of the state initiatives highlighted in this Program in a Box exemplify how robust stakeholder engagement can strengthen State Energy Office relationships with key stakeholders and lead to energy policy and program outcomes that reflect and effectively respond to stakeholder needs.
See the Minnesota initiative.
See the New York initiative.
See the Oregon initiative.
The Energy Division of the Minnesota Department of Commerce created the Community Energy Collaborative to provide a forum for ongoing relationship-building with community-based organizations across the state. The design of the Community Energy Collaborative was shaped by partners selected through the Community Energy Collaboration Grants program and seeks to foster a collaborative approach to energy policy and program design, implementation, and outreach.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) launched the Energy Equity Collaborative, led by a Founding Steering Committee of community-based organizations (CBOs), to provide a collaborative space for NYSERDA and CBOs representing or serving Disadvantaged Communities (as defined by New York’s Climate Justice Working Group) to work together on energy equity issues and related NYSERDA programming. The Collaborative hosts regular meetings and includes several working groups focused on sector-specific issues.
The Oregon Department of Energy established the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program Advisory Committee to support the development and ongoing implementation of the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program and provide communities across Oregon the opportunity to participate in renewable energy and energy resilience projects. The Advisory Committee’s responsibilities include informing program rules, establishing equity metrics, adopting a methodology to identify qualifying communities, supporting statewide community outreach efforts, and assisting with the application review process. All Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public, and there is an online portal for community members to provide input on the program’s development.