Dr. Marilyn A. Brown, of Georgia Institute of Technology in partnership with the Sierra Club in Georgia released a report analyzing the energy burden of families in Georgia. Energy Burden is the percentage of a household’s income that is spent on electricity, natural gas, and other household fuels such as propane and wood.

Our most recent energy burden report shows how Black households in Georgia face disproportionately high energy burdens, including historic discrimination and disinvestment in infrastructure. The report goes a step further than similar studies by conducting surveys of energy-burdened households to find out what other consequences they face when they spend a significant portion of their income on energy bills.

Ricky Leroux, Sierra Club Georgia Chapter Senior Communications & Policy Coordinator, shared with us:

"Examining the correlation between energy burdens and race is critical to understanding the root causes of the disparities we see here in Georgia, so studies like this one are essential to pursuing true equity. Thanks to the work of Dr. Brown and all who helped with this study, I’m hopeful that policymakers can get a fuller understanding of the issue and work to address the underlying problems.”

Click here to read the full report and learn more about the high energy burdens Black households are currently facing!