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Access & Affordability

Design programs that broaden access and advance equity. Access & Affordability provides research, evaluation, and advisory services that prioritize equity—helping utilities and energy entities design programs that deliver equitable access to clean energy, address affordability challenges, and achieve measurable outcomes for underserved and energy-burdened communities.


 

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Uncover barriers and close equity gaps

Identify where barriers exist and create actionable solutions to close equity gaps. We conduct equity-focused market research using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify service barriers, assess affordability gaps, evaluate program impacts across populations, and provide policy and planning tools that guide equitable program design and implementation.

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Connect policy and community priorities

Bring regulators, communities, utilities, and energy entities together around shared affordability and access objectives. We facilitate stakeholder alignment to ensure programs reflect community needs, support policy directives on access and resilience, and create planning frameworks that connect equity goals with measurable outcomes. We also connect peers working on similar challenges across the US and Canada through in-person and virtual working groups, helping teams share best practices and lessons learned.

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Center community perspectives

Incorporate lived experiences and local knowledge into every stage of program design and delivery. We use qualitative and quantitative research methods—interviews, focus groups, and participatory workshops—to capture authentic community input and translate it into actionable program strategies. Our approach builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures programs remain responsive to evolving needs, regulatory requirements, and local priorities.

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Equitable access

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Policy alignment

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Community engagement

Case Study

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Using data-driven insights to design a meaningful payment assistance campaign for LMI customers

This case study explains how data-driven insights presented at an E Source event helped JEA design a meaningful payment assistance campaign for LMI customers.

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Insights

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Achievements in Customer and Employee Experience: 2025 honorees

Each year E Source celebrates utilities that are creating excellent experiences for their customers and providing a supportive and engaging workplace for their employees with the E Source Customer and Employee Experience Awards.
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6 ways community partnerships can boost LMI customer enrollment in weatherization programs

Low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers are interested in utility weatherization programs, but participation in this customer group is often low because of a lack of awareness, complicated enrollment processes, and financial, structural, and institutional barriers.
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Equity and the utility customer: Highlights from 2023 customer survey findings

Equity is at the nexus of the relationship between customers living in frontline communities and their local utility. And findings from two of our E Source Affordability and Equity annual surveys emphasized that point.
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Design and deliver equitable energy programs.

Connect with our team today to see how Access & Affordability can help you design programs that broaden access, align policy and community goals, and deliver measurable outcomes for underserved and energy-burdened populations.