On the hunt for solutions: Principles for an Equitable Electric Grid

05.02.2023

Transmission

Environmental Justice

Achieving an affordable, equitable, decarbonized energy system is similar to a giant puzzle with many crucial pieces. One of these puzzle pieces is putting equity at the center of planning the electricity grid.

In October 2022, The Alliance, along with Clear RTO Path, CURE Minnesota, Communities Organizing Latino Power and Action, Cooperative Energy Futures, Environmental Justice Coalition, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Soulardarity, Taproot Earth, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Vote Solar gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana to address the issue of unprecedented new transmission investments being made within MISO (the Midcontinent Independent System Operator). The organizations and individuals who participated in the convening all had one thing in common – MISO, a 15-state regional transmission operator.

MISO has begun a historic Long Range Transmission Planning process that, if done with equity in mind, can help millions of people access affordable, renewable energy while creating a more resilient electric grid that also represents input and guidance from communities most directly impacted by electric grid infrastructure. There are many upcoming transmission planning opportunities, like MISO’s tranche 3, which will bring transmission planning to Louisiana. Still, these processes must not repeat the same lack of equitable planning as our current electric grid infrastructure system.

Because of the many opportunities related to renewable energy development and transmission expansion, the equitable grid convening led to the beginning phases to develop a method for impacted communities to exert influence on grid planning decisions that previously were largely suppressed.

After many months of collaborative work, a set of Equitable Grid Principles has been developed.

The principles are designed to guide grid infrastructure stakeholders in equitable transmission planning, the public utility commission processes, and other grid decision-making processes. When implemented, the principles will help improve health, create good local jobs, provide financial benefits, and avoid placing additional burdens on communities already impacted by environmental health hazards.

Developing the Equitable Grid Principles was an opportunity to begin dismantling the barriers between communities and the decisionmaking process of our current electricity transmission infrastructure. The Equitable Grid Principles is a living document. As we expand our understanding of equitable planning, we hope to see the principles expand into a set of genuinely inclusive principles. These principles should not replace engaging impacted communities directly. Affected community members must be allowed to represent themselves in discussions about these principles. The Equitable Grid Cohort recommends that stakeholders introduce these principles via a popular education model or participatory design approach. Popular education is a technique designed to raise the consciousness of its participants and allow them to become more aware of how an individual’s personal experiences are connected to larger societal problems.

The equitable grid principles include Indigenous rights, accountable decisionmaking, accessibility and procedural justice, community control and governance, local control and value, prioritize renewable and energy efficiency, and more. If you want to learn more about the Equitable Grid Principles, please contact Yvonne@all4energy.org. The Alliance for Affordable Energy looks forward to encouraging the use of the Equitable Grid Principles with partners and decision-makers as we continue to work towards a transition to an affordable, decarbonized energy future.

The Equitable Grid Principles Include:

Indigenous Rights. All equitable grid planning processes must engage with affected Indigenous Peoples and communities from the earliest stages.
Accountable Decisionmaking. Grid infrastructure decisionmaking should establish and utilize a robust accountability system.
Accessibility and Procedural Justice. Electric grid decisionmaking bodies such as MISO and state utility commissions must be accessible to impacted communities and the public.
Community Control and Governance. Grid infrastructure must be planned and implemented in collaboration with Black, Indigenous, and people of color; and frontline, low-income, and impacted communities using processes that support and encourage meaningful, broad-based, and community-based public participation, as well as community-driven development.
Local Control and Value. Grid planning processes and their resulting grid investment decisions should seek to maximize the value of locally controlled clean electricity, energy efficiency, and demand response resources, such as mini-grids and energy storage systems.
Prioritize Renewables and Energy Efficiency. Prioritize grid infrastructure that enables the retirement of coal, gas, and other polluting electricity facilities and supports clean, renewable power—including wind and solar—and energy efficiency.
Justly Sourced. Sourcing of materials and development of grid infrastructure must be done in a manner that mitigates long-term destructive environmental and social impacts.
Support Workers Rights and Protections. Workers engaged in modernizing our grid infrastructure should have access to safe, high-quality, well-paying jobs.
Climate Resilient. Grid planning processes and investment decisions pertaining to them must address overall system resilience under a broad range of plausible scenarios, including historic extreme weather case studies.