Policy

AEA assists policymakers and energy program administrators in designing effective programs to combat climate change that reach affordable housing and low-income communities.

Policies
Decarbonization
Energy Efficiency
Equity
Workforce Training
Renewable Energy

AEA is a trusted expert on energy efficiency and a recognized advocate for affordable housing and low-income households. AEA staff actively engage in many advisory groups and regulatory proceedings and provide expert testimony and information when requested at both the state and federal levels.

  • Decarbonization

    Addressing climate change requires the transition away from fossil fuel combustion in buildings to efficient electric technologies. Policy advocacy for appropriate decarbonization pathways accompanies our electrification research and demonstration efforts including engagement in numerous regulatory and outreach and education venues.

    Examples of AEA roles:

    • Board members of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, and Energy Efficiency for All, both of which advocate for equitable and efficient electrification to help address our climate and housing crises.
    • Key advisors to local governments developing all-electric policies that are beneficial to housing development.
    • Under contract with a number of Community Choice Aggregators and local jurisdictions in the Bay Area to help multifamily developers overcome obstacles to all-electric new construction.

  • Energy Efficiency

    AEA advocacy results in improved policy and better program design for state and local clean energy programs responsive to the unique needs of residents and managers of affordable multifamily housing.

    Examples of AEA roles:

    • Support innovative utility programs and business models for affordable housing in utility rate cases.
    • Successful advocacy for state and utility funding and targets for efficiency programs in affordable housing.
    • Identify opportunities for including energy efficiency in state climate policy.
    • Provide actionable insights on the special needs of affordable multifamily housing in the development of municipal clean energy mandate development (e.g., building emissions limits in NYC).

  • Equity

    AEA is committed to equitable access to safe, healthy and affordable homes, and we recognize the legacy of institutional racism necessitates supporting and prioritizing communities of color. We engage in policy and advocacy efforts in support of frontline environmental justice communities fighting for jobs and clean energy investments in their communities.

    Examples of AEA roles:

    • Active in the Energy Efficiency For All New York and Energy Efficiency For All California coalitions.
    • Member of the Steering Committee of the Low Income Forum on Energy (LIFE).
    • Co-design efforts for community-driven clean energy hubs.
    • Pilot project design and implementation for low income electrification.

  • Workforce Training

    AEA works to advance workforce-training initiatives that provide firm funding commitments to technically superior programs for new workers, continuing education, and retraining. We collaborate with allies to advance support for on-the-job training funds and recognition of energy efficiency jobs as an important local economic development driver.

  • Renewable Energy

    AEA advocacy extends beyond efficiency to support for renewable distributed generation including rooftop and community solar, which contribute to affordability and building decarbonization.