To Our Valued Community,
As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for the continued support of our community. It has been a year of growth, challenges, and successes. With the year drawing to a close, I want to share a few thoughts looking back over the past year and forward to the future.
The November election was pivotal; many of us feel anxious, disappointed, and concerned about the direction our country is headed. What does this mean for us, for those we care about, and for the future of our organization? Despite the uncertainty we may feel, our purpose hasn’t changed. Our work for an equitable future — where people live freely without being constrained by demographics or geography — continues.
We remain committed to a healthier future where economic benefits don’t come at the cost of people’s lives, and to providing better opportunities for those facing the greatest burdens. We also continue our efforts for a sustainable future, ensuring better lives for all generations. Addressing climate risk by marrying community-centered design and strong technical analysis is a way to build a self-determined future that benefits communities nationwide intentionally. We do this because it’s the right thing to do, and we have the skills to make it happen. This shared vision can still change the world. In the face of uncertainty, we must remember and believe in our own power. Â
Nonetheless, the Department of Energy will likely be heavily impacted by the election’s outcomes. With proposals like Project 2025 and calls to eliminate key offices, such as Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and State and Community Energy Programs, many critical programs are at risk. These offices support important work, and dismantling them would be a national loss.
Over the past few months, we’ve worked hard to mitigate risks and ensure our stability. Our development work will pivot to increased collaboration with other nonprofits, state and local governments, and the private sector. We’ll continue partnering with organizations that align with our mission. Our mission of a fast and fair clean energy transition is more important than ever, as the challenges of climate change and the need for clean and equitable energy solutions continue to grow.
At the heart of this mission is impact. One example of this impact is our work in Atlanta, where energy burdens have long been concentrated in low-income Black communities. Our research demonstrated how energy burden is centrally connected to negative housing outcomes like displacement and eviction. To put a fine point on it, our work showed that focusing on affordable housing without considering energy could miss the mark and potentially backfire if not addressed.
This work and the efforts of the Clean Energy Advisory Board helped establish the Community Energy Fund to support energy equity investments across the city. After meeting with every council member, the Fund was unanimously adopted in April. Today, council leaders are pushing to increase the funding to $10 million per year, which, over ten years, could be 25% of what’s needed to deliver energy affordability in every neighborhood across Atlanta.
This story reminds us that our work creates change, one step at a time. And as the year winds down, it’s also time to take break from the work to reflect on our wins, appreciate each other, and make space for the future.
Wishing you a happy holiday season,
Matt Cox, CEO of Greenlink Analytics
Comments