Environmental Justice

Spotlight on Mutual Housing CA and GRID Alternatives Nonprofit Partnership for #AffordableHousingMonth

Affordable housing might not be the first market that comes to mind for solar energy technology, but it is the one that might need it the most. Utility bills are usually the largest and most volatile portion of an affordable housing development’s budget. Stabilizing utility bills through solar and other measures makes it easier to maintain operating budgets, retain tenant services, and avoid raising rents.

Sacramento Food Bank Goes Solar in a Partnership with SMUD & Nonprofit GRID Alternatives

Through SMUD's Solar Community Grant program, GRID Alternatives North Valley is set to install a solar electric system to help power the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services Arata Brothers building in Oak Park later this year. This will lower their electricity bill and leave more money available to deliver needed community support services. 

Camp Fire Survivor Saves with Continued Recovery Efforts

After the 2018 California wildfires, GRID prepared a strategic community Disaster Recovery Initiative in Butte County. Our goals were, and still are, to support efforts to build affordable housing while integrating clean and resilient energy technology solutions. GRID is an active member of the Camp Fire Long Term Recovery Group and contributes our organizational capacity and technical expertise to a number of regional efforts related to affordable housing, climate change, and disaster recovery. 

The Pueblo Chieftain - Partners selected for Black Hills solar project

Black Hills Energy has announced the partners it has selected to supply an additional 2.5 megawatts of new community solar garden capacity in Southern Colorado.

The new projects include a 2 megawatt facility and a separate 500-kilowatt garden dedicated entirely to serving low-income customers, according to Black Hills.

The Pueblo Cheiftain - Pueblo City Council to vote on new utility ballot language Monday

On Feb. 14, a lawsuit was filed against the city challenging the language of the ballot question that council approved Feb. 10, saying it does not conform to state law.

The city has responded to the suit, saying that in order to keep the May 5 election date on track it is willing to use certain ballot language proposed by the plaintiffs — although the city doesn’t agree with the plaintiffs that the original ballot language isn’t in compliance with state law. The City Council would have to approve the amendments that are made.

GRID North Valley Solar Service is Essential

At a time when many California residents have reduced or lost incomes due to local shelter-in-place directives, the work of GRID Alternatives is more relevant than ever. Since we opened in 2011, we have served over 1,450 families in the North Valley region of California to save them an estimated $42 million in collective utility costs. GRID's work is essential, and we are doubling down on our commitment to support local homeowners with no-cost solar to help with paying crucial utility bills, which are most likely increasing because of more time spent at home.

Solar Power World - New guide outlines ways to include low-income customers in utility solar programs

“Clean energy should be for everyone, and with a few strategic shifts, it can be,” said report co-author MeLena Hessel, a senior policy advocate with the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Too often, low-income communities receive the brunt of pollution and the effects of climate change, but are left out of the solutions. This report lays out realistic, common-sense guidelines for utilities to share those solutions — and the clean energy future — with all.”