Just Solutions recently hosted our first National Energy Affordability Convening, a two-day virtual strategy space that brought together more than 20 leaders from state-based climate justice coalitions and organizations across California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Together, we explored how to make energy affordable, reliable, and equitable, and how frontline communities can lead that charge. 

The convening marked an important milestone in States Lead the Way: Affording our Energy Future, Just Solutions’ broader campaign to make energy more affordable by moving conversation to coordination, allowing states to take charge in a shared national strategy grounded in community power and equity. 

Participants included advocates, policy staff, and organizers from coalitions such as Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Coalition for Communities of Color, Soulardarity, Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability,Communities for a Better Environment, Michigan Climate Action Network, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Minnesota Environmental Justice Table, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, Front & Centered, and PUSH-Buffalo – groups on the frontlines of shaping and advancing affordability and energy justice in their states and communities. They brought place-based expertise to the conversation, from fighting rate hikes and preventing winter & summer shutoffs, to advancing community solar and mobile-home billing transparency. 

“Being in a space with other advocates facing the challenges of seeking solutions to providing more affordable utilities was both inspiring and eye opening. Inspired by the dedication of my fellow advocates and revelatory in how we all share similar hurdles and roadblocks to implementing just and equitable energy solutions.” – Joe Sackman, Executive Director, Long Island Progressive Coalition

Over the two days, participants dug into the drivers and impacts of rising energy costs, from utility rate structures and disaster cost recovery to data center buildouts and the reliability crisis. We examined what affordability means for different communities as energy burdens fall hardest on low-income and black and brown households. Lastly, we shaped solutions that tackle all of these challenges and others, and how they can be tailored to specific policy contexts. 

Sessions included policy labs on affordability frameworks and state-level policy innovation; lessons from the field spotlights from Michigan and New York; workshops on narrative and messaging strategies that center people and community impact, and coalition-building strategies that leverage share power and highlight how structure and intentional coordination can drive wins across diverse partnerships; and breakout strategy sessions where each state mapped affordability goals and possibilities for 2026. 

Clear throughlines emerged over the two days:

• Affordability is political. In many states, decisions that shape rate design, funding, and decarbonization reflect power and access. Communities across the country are demanding accountability and a seat at the table. 
• Equity must shape every solution. From how we define “affordable” to how local, state, and federal funds are distributed, participants emphasized that affordability without justice isn’t progress – it’s perpetuating the status quo. 
• The fight is connected. From rate cases in Oregon, cap-and-invest in New York, or winter shutoffs in Michigan, advocates are facing the same structural barriers, and can move faster by learning from one another. 

“Our energy systems are facing many of the same challenges across the country. It is incredibly valuable for advocates to connect to share our experiences and research, and to learn about how communities in other states have built grassroots movements to address energy affordability and community resilience.” – Nikita Daryanani, Climate and Energy Policy Manager, Coalition of Communities of Color

This convening was just the start. Over the coming months, Just Solutions will continue to support and resource climate and energy justice coalitions as they work to ensure affordability is at the center of their legislative and regulatory agendas by: 

• Building cross-state working groups on policy, communications, and regulatory engagement; 
• Expanding access to tools like our Affordability Framework and forthcoming Policy Library
• Working to educate, inform, and convene decision-makers to ensure communities are engaged as they craft affordability policies. 

“The convening was a great space to connect with others facing similar energy affordability challenges. It underscored how much equity and community leadership need to shape not just policy goals, but the actual decision-making processes that determine Michigan’s energy future, which is exactly the kind of grounding the Affordability Framework helps us think through.” – Wesley Watson, Grand Rapids Policy Associate, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

This convening underscored that tackling the energy affordability crisis isn’t just about lowering bills, it’s about reimagining who has power in the energy system. The insights, relationships, and shared strategies developed are setting the stage for stronger, more coordinated, justice-centered campaigns across varying states in 2026. The momentum is strong, and we’re just getting started.