Study: Energy costs a burden for many Memphians
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new study by Green Link Analytics shows that nearly 50% of Memphians are experiencing high energy burdens, meaning a larger portion of their income goes to utility bills.
Their report showed that about 30,000 families are experiencing energy burdens of 20%, meaning a fifth of their income going to energy bills.
“We are paying a lot more of the money we work hard for every day for our basic necessities,” said Keshaun Pearson, president of Memphis Community Against Pollution.
Pearson says he has the data to back this up. The study by Green Link Analytics shows Memphians are paying a little more than 1 percent higher on utilities than the national average.
“That is taking away from our ability to continue to live more prosperous lives, to save more,” Pearson said.
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Charts show that Black communities are more affected. South Memphis was highlighted as having an average energy burden of 7.
This means for a person making $40,000 a year, taking home nearly $3,000 a month, 7%, or nearly $200 a month is being spent on utilities.
“Another big factor is energy efficiency, and our utility the Tennessee Valley Authority and Memphis Light Gas and Water can be doing a lot more to help,” said Amanda Garcia with Southern Environmental Law Center, which helped to sponsor the study.
She says the report is a means to demand TVA and MLGW to invest in cleaner energy sources, provide cheaper energy options, and shut down the proposed Allen Gas plant project that they claim is harming the community.
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We reached out to the Tennessee Valley Authority about MCAP and SELC’s claims saying that they aren’t providing enough clean and affordable energy. The Tennessee Valley Authority that’s not true and there are already plans to make that type of energy available to Shelby County residents.
A TVA spokesperson said in an email they already have programs like Home Uplift that help people make their homes more energy efficient. And while TVA did raise their wholesale rates last year, they say it was to compensate for more people moving to Tennessee.
“We agree that energy burden is an important issue that many people face, particularly in Memphis,” A TVA representative said. “That’s why we’re out in the community investing millions of dollars in programs like Home Uplift, helping people make their homes more energy efficient and lowering their bills. We have an entire website www.energyright.com dedicated to helping people reduce their bills.”
Both Pearson and Garcia say now is the time for people to advocate for better energy options.
“We need to advocate for what the city wants,” Garcia said.
We also reached out to MLGW, but at this time have yet to hear back. They say for those looking to lower energy costs, a common tip is to set the thermostat at 78 degrees, saying each degree below that could add about 6 percent to your energy costs.
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