Immigrant and refugee communities face significant obstacles to benefiting from the transition to a cleaner energy system, even as many immigrants and refugees are themselves on the frontlines of experiencing the impacts of climate change. In the U.S., these communities may be exposed to indoor and outdoor heat, wildfire smoke, and other climate impacts, both at home and in their workplaces.

The Home Energy Rebates authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act provide almost $9 billion in incentives to households for home efficiency and electrification upgrades, offsetting costs for measures like insulation or replacing gas stoves with induction cooktops. There remain many challenges for states and program administrators in implementing these rebates in a way that advances equity and brings real benefits to the communities with the greatest vulnerability to climate risks, especially immigrants and refugees.

That’s why Just Solutions and the Climate Justice Collaborative of the National Partnership for New Americans partnered to develop resources for community-based organizations, to help empower communities to engage with their State Energy Office and advocate for their own visions for energy equity. These resources include recommendations for State Energy Offices on how to design their rebate programs to promote immigrant inclusion, and a template letter that advocacy groups can adapt and send along with the recommendations.