MCE’s Empowering Electrification series covers valuable insights into the current state of electrification efforts and the technological advancements driving the transition to clean energy. Each post is intended to give you a better understanding of our electrifying world and feel empowered to make changes to help achieve a carbon-free future.
In this third blog in our series, we’ll examine how electrification can also help us achieve equity goals and fight climate change. Transitioning to clean energy can reduce pollution and provide historically underserved communities with equal access to a healthier and sustainable environment.
What Are Disadvantaged Communities?
In California, Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) are identified by the CalEnviroScreen tool based on criteria including income, environmental burdens, health outcomes, and social vulnerability. In MCE’s service area, several DACs were identified based on the latest data from federal and state sources.
Historically, DACs were more likely to bear the brunt of environmental hazards and pollution, partly due to systemic racism in land use and environmental policy. The City of Richmond is an example of one such community, which is also home to a Chevron refinery. The city’s status as a DAC is linked to its history of redlining, a discriminatory practice where banks and insurers systematically denied services to communities of color, resulting in economic disinvestment and segregation. This practice has left Richmond with fewer resources and greater exposure to environmental hazards. The proximity to the Chevron refinery is a major cause of air pollution and health issues, such as high asthma rates among residents.
Community advocacy and legal actions have looked to address these issues, pushing for stricter regulations and improved safety measures to mitigate the refinery’s impact.
Electrification as a Solution
Electrification means replacing technology that runs on fossil fuels with technology that runs on electricity. Electrification efforts could be made on a small scale, such as in your home. They are also being made through large initiatives such as natural gas phase-outs or increased renewable energy on the grid.
Electric appliances help reduce your overall energy use, improve indoor air quality, and provide the same household functions without sacrificing comfort. Taken collectively, replacing gas appliances in your home with electric appliances could make a big difference in the health and safety of your community.
Reducing this reliance on fossil fuels also decreases the harm to communities near industrial activity, so that they don’t bear the brunt of health issues caused by air and water pollution.
The journey of electrification is more than just a transition to clean energy. It’s a path toward creating more equitable and sustainable communities. Electrification offers a unique chance to take a stand for environmental justice and build a future where everyone has access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. As we move forward, it’s important to rally behind policies and initiatives that prioritize the voices and needs of the most vulnerable. Together, we can achieve a carbon-free future that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable for all. Stay tuned for next month’s blog in this series highlighting how MCE is supporting electrification efforts.
Blog by Madeline Sarvey
