Energy democracy is the local population who controls the way their electricity is produced and distributed in order to guarantee everyone access to affordable and clean energy.

Two decades after the start of the 21st century, advances in solar panels, battery storage, modernized power grids and other technologies are revolutionizing the way our electricity can be produced and distributed. But big utility companies with monopoly control in the market – such as Duke Energy and Dominion Energy – are forcing us to use increasingly expensive polluting fuels like coal and frack gas to generate our electricity.

At the same time, the growing impacts of global climate change, including dangerous heat waves and severe storms, are wreaking havoc in countless communities, but especially in disadvantaged communities and communities of color. And monopoly utilities are charging ever higher rates as they knowingly continue to worsen the climate crisis.

But a movement towards energy democracy is growing in the Appalachians and across the country. Individuals and local groups are rising to demand a seat at the decision-making table to ensure the transition to an affordable and equitable system that provides wealth and jobs to the community and that relies on clean and renewable energy.