Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Florida’s First-Ever Statewide Energy Equity Study

Tampa, Fla. – Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced a new statewide study by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Energy on energy equity in Florida. Studies have shown that low-income, Black, and Hispanic families face an energy burden three times higher than other consumers, driven by increased utility costs from energy inefficient appliances, insulation, and weatherization. The department issued a request for proposals (RFP), encouraging researchers to submit proposals by the deadline of July 21, 2021 at 5:00 PM.

Commissioner Fried was joined at the Robles Park public housing complex in Tampa by former State Representative Jennifer Webb, Austin Marie Sipiora of the Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition, Reva Iman of the Robles Park Tenant Council Association, Lena Young Green of the Coalition of Community Gardens, and local resident Vanessa Lester.

VIDEO: A livestream video of the press conference may be viewed here on the department’s Facebook page.

“Nearly three million Floridians live in poverty, including 20 percent of Black and 16 percent of Hispanic families. While unemployment benefits and food banks have helped those in need throughout the pandemic, one issue not receiving enough help is high utility costs that disproportionately impact low-income consumers and communities of color,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Research shows that these consumers face an energy burden three times higher than other consumers. The key to solving this is understanding it – that’s why we’re launching Florida’s first-ever statewide energy equity study. Everyone has power bills – but too many struggle to pay them, choosing between rent, food, medicine, and utilities. I’m hopeful this study will help us develop equitable energy solutions for vulnerable Floridians looking for relief from high energy costs.”

Request for Proposals: This study is intended to review the systemic inequalities, barriers, and limited access to public and private resources and programs, how programs and projects must be designed to address these inequitable disparities by implementing energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources for low and moderate-income households. The request for proposals, RFP OOE 20 21 98, may be found here and closes July 21, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Questions about the request for proposals should be addressed to Michelle.Faircloth@FDACS.gov.

Background: Studies have shown that Black, Hispanic, and low-income consumers face an energy burden three times higher than other consumers. Data also shows that 5 percent of Floridians spend more than 50 percent of income on housing costs including utilities, yet energy efficiency upgrades can reduce this energy burden by 25 percent. Florida residents’ energy expenses are 40 percent higher than the U.S. average.

Since taking office, Commissioner Fried has made climate change, energy efficiency, and social and economic justice among her highest priorities. She revitalized the FDACS Office of Energy, empowering the office with a new focus on energy efficiency, climate change, and low-income energy equity. Under Commissioner Fried’s leadership, the Office of Energy has highlighted the need for improved energy efficiency standards, hosted the first statewide summit to address climate change since 2008, and released the 76-page Florida Energy and Climate Plan[ ]. Since 2011, the Office of Energy has administered $158 million in state and federal funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including energy efficiency upgrades for small and rural local governments. The Office has also provided hundreds of free energy and water audits, and earlier this year released the state’s first-ever electric vehicle roadmap. Last year, Commissioner Fried and the Office of Energy launched a $1 million grant program to assist low-income communities with high energy costs, and launched a $2 million energy efficiency grant program for publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities.

Commissioner Fried has worked to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion both in her department and throughout Florida’s government. Shortly after taking office in 2019, Commissioner Fried established a new Director of Diversity and Inclusion position, the first of its kind in department history, and established a new Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion work group of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. She announced changes to the department's law enforcement policies, added gender identity as a protected workforce class, expanded the ability to file discrimination complaints, and pushed her fellow Florida Cabinet members to make changes in their departments. Fried has fought fiercely to update Florida's broken, outdated clemency rules for restoring civil and voting rights, and has addressed the history of racial discrimination in farm lending with Black elected, agricultural, and financial leaders.

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