Addressing Energy Insecurity Through Cross-Sector Collaboration

Energy insecurity is an issue at the intersection of social inequity and public health. Energy insecurity is the inability of household residents to meet basic home energy needs such as refrigeration, cooking, lighting, and heating/cooling–a prerequisite for good health.

understanding energy insecurity chart

Energy burden is the percentage of income spent on residential energy bills. It is a metric researchers use to determine the prevalence of potential energy insecurity in communities. 

  • High household energy burden is above 6% of income towards household utilities.
  • Severe household energy burden is above 10% of income towards household utilities.

Learn more about energy burden in Maricopa County.

What Maricopa County residents are telling us

Energy Insecurity Workgroup

The Energy Insecurity workgroup was established in September 2020, meets monthly, and is continuously open to new members to support the group’s vision and mission.

Vision: An energy secure and healthy Maricopa County

Mission: To empower communities and stakeholders to take actions toward energy solutions, including housing and utility affordability, energy and housing efficiency, policy change, and education and awareness.

The workgroup is made up of cross-sector leaders who embody the aspiration of an energy secure future supporting vulnerable communities in Maricopa County for years to come.

Sample of sectors workgroup members belong to:

Government

Utilities

Non-profits

Community-based Organizations

Academia

Interested in becoming an Energy Insecurity Workgroup Member?  

Join the Workgroup

Have Questions?

Please call 602-372-2611 or email vjollca.berisha@maricopa.gov for any questions or additional information.

This project is made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWFJ) Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program where their central mission is to build a culture of health.