Pandemic a reason to look at energy injustice

Via Orlando Sentinel

July 19, 2020

COVID-19 has forced millions out of work and unpaid bills are coming due. This includes summertime electric bills. Many Floridians, however, are less concerned with their utility bills — homeowners wealthy enough to install solar panels on their roofs. Those who can afford this are paid the same rate for generating excess electricity as utilities are paid for generating, distributing, transmitting and maintaining the electric grid. This means families without solar are picking up the tab for those who could afford such investment. 

Out-of-work Floridians who have spent months awaiting unemployment checks are now attempting to catch up on utility bills. How can we ask someone who can barely keep their own lights on to pay their neighbor’s power bill, too? 

Everyone deserves access to clean energy, particularly Black and Brown communities who have rarely been afforded that environmental justice. 

We all want to go back to “normal” during this public health crisis. Instead, we should work to make our state a better place for all Floridians, regardless of race, age or wealth. This progress should include shining a light on energy inequalities.

Sean Shaw is chairman of People Over Profits