Attachment A - Engagement Report.pdf

City of Phoenix — City Council Policy Session (2025-12-09)

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Energy Access Plan
Engagement Report
September 2025
ATTACHMENT A

Executive Summary
On January 15, 2025, the Phoenix City Council approved a target to increase energy
assistance participation by 25% by 2030. This target is part of the Phoenix Energy Access
Plan (EAP), which addresses energy burden—the percentage of a household’s income spent
on energy bills. Spending more than 6% is considered high. Currently, over 82,345 exceed
this threshold, with 96% classified as low-income. Energy assistance programs provide bill
support and energy efficiency services to help reduce this burden.
Between January and May 2025, the Office of Sustainability (OOS), in partnership with city
departments and nonprofits—Pinnacle Prevention, Unlimited Potential, and GLOBO—
hosted 10 community workshops, conducted outreach, and provided interpretation
services to inform the EAP. Feedback from more than 170 participants revealed 12 key
themes, centered on affordability, access, and trust. Section 2 presents proposed
actions addressing these concerns, aligned with the Global Covenant of Mayors Common
Reporting Framework.
Residents expressed strong interest in discount programs, retrofits, and weatherization, but
cited barriers such as limited availability, complex eligibility requirements, and insufficient
support. To manage high bills and indoor heat, residents adopt energy-saving habits, such
as setting thermostats to higher temperatures, avoiding electricity use during peak hours,
and seeking low-cost solutions. Many residents face financial stress from rising costs and
inefficient housing, and they have called for long-term solutions such as backup power and
resiliency hubs. There is a strong demand for multilingual education on utility programs and
energy use, especially for youth.
While solar energy is supported, residents face high costs, fraud, and a lack of transparency.
Advocacy priorities include renter protections, electricity price regulation, and equitable
access to programs. However, trust in institutions remains low. Residents supported tree
planting and green spaces for shade and cleaner air, along with efficient, diverse transit
options. During the EAP community workshop voting activities, participants prioritized
energy bill assistance and discount programs, followed closely by rebates, weatherization,
and solar options. Results highlight a preference for financial relief and energy efficiency
support. Section 1 presents a detailed description of engagement results.
The next step for the OOS is to collaborate with internal departments and external
stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility and impact of proposed actions, prioritizing those
with the greatest potential for scalability, community benefit, and alignment with the EAP-
approved target. Selected actions will be refined into smaller, actionable steps to support
effective implementation. Plan implementation is expected to start in 2026.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... 2
Challenge ..................................................................................................................... 3
Community Engagement Principles................................................................................ 4
Workshop Structure ...................................................................................................... 5
Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ 7
1.
Results .................................................................................................................. 7
1.1 Voting Results ...................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Qualitative Results ............................................................................................. 11
Energy Programs .................................................................................................. 11
Behavioral Modification ........................................................................................ 13
Cost of Living ........................................................................................................ 13
Education ............................................................................................................ 14
Trees and Shade ................................................................................................... 15
Solar .................................................................................................................... 15
Advocacy ............................................................................................................. 16
Lack of Trust ......................................................................................................... 17
Electric Vehicles (EV’s) ......................................................................................... 18
Transit Accessibility .............................................................................................. 18
Batteries .............................................................................................................. 18
Building Codes ..................................................................................................... 18
1.3 Example of Vision Boards/ Collages ..................................................................... 19
2. Proposed Actions that Address Community Feedback ............................................... 23
Investment & Securing Finance / City-Led Programs .................................................... 23
Internal Capacity Building & Data Collection ............................................................... 23
Stakeholder Collaboration ....................................................................................... 24
Policies & Regulation .............................................................................................. 25
3. Credits and Citations .............................................................................................. 26

Challenge
Many households in Phoenix experience energy poverty, meaning they either lack access
to or cannot afford the energy needed for essential daily activities like cooling, heating, and
cooking. This is often measured through energy burden, the percentage of a household’s
income spent on energy bills. When this burden exceeds 6%, it is considered high; above
10%, it becomes severe. Beyond the numbers, energy burden is also reflected in lived
experiences, such as delaying the use of air conditioning, receiving disconnection notices,
or lacking access to efficient appliances.
The issue of energy burden is
especially urgent in Phoenix,
where extreme heat is becoming
increasingly
intense
and
prolonged. Rising temperatures
and elevated nighttime heat pose
serious health risks, particularly
for low-income households that
struggle to afford cooling or repair
broken air conditioning (AC)
units. In 2023, most indoor heat-
related
deaths
in
Maricopa
County
occurred
in
homes
without
functioning
air
conditioning (Batchelor et al.,
2024). Addressing energy poverty
is not just about lowering bills;
it’s about protecting health,
reducing stress, and ensuring all
residents can live safely and
comfortably in their homes.

Map 1. Energy Burden Across Phoenix Districts (Data from Ma & Vimont, 2024)
Map 1 above displays the City of Phoenix, its eight districts, and the major highways. It
highlights the concentration of households experiencing high and severe energy burdens
across the City—darker blue shades indicate a higher percentage of affected households.
The stars on the map represent the locations of the workshops featured in this report.

Workshop Locations Throughout the City of Phoenix
The following sites hosted the Energy Access Plan (EAP) workshop series:
1. 3 virtual sessions
a. Online Climate Action Plan – Energy Workshop
b. Online English EAP Workshop
c. Online Spanish EAP Workshop
2. District 3 - Sunnyslope Community Center (EAP Workshop)
3. District 4 - Steele Indian School Park (EAP Workshop)
4. District 5 - Maryvale Community Center (EAP Workshop)
5. District 6 - Devonshire Community Center (EAP Workshop)
6. District 7 - Desert West Community Center (Climate Action Plan – Energy Workshop)
7. District 8 - Cesar Chavez Community Center (EAP Workshop)
8. District 8 - Cesar Chavez (Climate Action Plan – Youth Workshop)
Community Engagement Principles
The OOS is committed to actively engaging with
residents and community members across all eight City
Council districts. Its goal is to develop an equitable and
inclusive Energy Access Plan that addresses energy
affordability and the energy burden experienced by
Phoenix residents. The office’s engagement efforts are
guided by the following three principles:
1. Informing the Community. The OOS is committed
to ensuring that residents across Phoenix are well-informed about the purpose, goals,
and scope of the Energy Access Plan. Through presentations, workshops, and public
communications, the office aims to foster awareness and transparency throughout the
planning process.
2. Consulting and Seeking Ideas through Community Voices. The OOS recognizes the
vital role of community leadership in shaping effective and equitable energy solutions.
Its engagement efforts have focused on gathering residents’ experiences, perceptions,
and ideas related to energy burden. Through facilitated activities, OOS has actively
sought input on how to achieve greater energy affordability. The office is committed to
maintaining an ongoing dialogue that encourages continuous feedback and
collaboration.
3. Incorporating Community Input. Ideas and recommendations gathered through
workshops, webinars, and advisory meetings directly inform the strategies and actions

outlined in the final Energy Access Plan. While the OOS recognizes that not all feedback
may be fully implemented, particularly when suggestions fall outside the scope of the
City’s authority, it remains committed to integrating community input wherever
possible.

Workshop Structure
The 1.5-hour workshops were designed to foster collaborative exploration of energy
affordability issues and solutions, emphasizing participant engagement, creativity, art, and
inclusivity. The following bullet points illustrate the structure of the workshops:
• Welcome & Introduction
o Icebreaker and welcome table with community resources provided by Salt
River Project and Arizona Public Service.
o The OOS presented the concept of energy burden and introduced the Energy
Access Plan.
• Interactive and Artistic Activities to Identifying Barriers and Solutions
o Using magazines, markers, and art supplies, participants created a group
collage to visually express challenges related to energy burden. Participants
also brainstormed and illustrated potential solutions.
• Voting for Solutions
o Individual Voting: Using a printed voting sheet, participants selected their top
3 preferred solutions from 5 predefined options and one open-ended “Other”
option. The voting activity was only conducted during the EAP workshops.
o Group Voting: Participants used three stickers to vote on flip charts
representing the most appealing ideas, including the “Other” category.
o Options in the voting activity were:

▪ Solar Options: affordable and reliable solar options for residents’
homes.
▪ Bill Assistance: programs that help with utility and electricity bills,
such as Arizona Public Service (APS) Crisis Bill Assistance.
▪ Weatherization: energy efficiency improvements that enhance the
home envelope, like insulation.
▪ Discount Programs: utility discount plans like APS Energy Support or
Salt River Project (SRP) Economy Price Plan.
▪ Rebates: financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, such as
replacing appliances.
▪ Other: a write-in option for attendees to suggest additional ideas not
listed above.
• Wrap-Up
o A collective review of the voting results and final reflections.
o Final comments and reflections from participants.
The City collaborated with three nonprofit organizations—Pinnacle Prevention, Unlimited
Potential, and GLOBO—to facilitate workshops, conduct outreach to invite participants,
and provide interpretation services.
Language Accessibility
The workshops were conducted in both English and Spanish, ensuring inclusivity through:
• Seven in-person sessions with interpretation support.
• Online workshops with:
o One
session
offering
simultaneous interpretation.
o Two
sessions
conducted
entirely
in
English
and
Spanish.

Data Analysis
The OOS team collected all facilitator notes, post-its, collages, and other materials
containing participants’ comments to create a database for analysis. All data was compiled
into an Excel spreadsheet and classified into themes. Through an interactive process and
group discussions, all comments were synthesized into 12 categories. This task involved
developing a data dictionary to define each category and produce the results presented in
this report.
1. Results
Table 1 presents the number of participants who attended each EAP workshop:
Date
Venue
District
Number of Participants
1/30/2025
Online - CAP Energy Workshop
N/A
23
4/23/2025
Desert West Community Center
7
12
5/13/2015
Cesar Chavez Community Center
8
23
5/20/2025
Steele Indian School Memorial Hall
4
9
5/20/2025
Cesar Chavez - Youth
8
18
5/22/2025
Online - Spanish
N/A
22
5/27/2025
Devonshire Senior Center
6
21
5/29/2025
Maryvale Community Center
5
26
5/8/2025
Sunnyslope Community Center
3
23
6/12/2025
Online - English and Spanish
N/A
16

Total
193
Table 1. EAP Workshop Attendance by Location

1.1 Voting Results
The following graphs display the results
from both individual and group voting
activities. The first graph shows the
number of votes captured at each
workshop, while the second graph
presents the number of votes each
option received for the energy program
options initially suggested by the OOS
team.

Figure 1. Total Votes Recorded Across EAP Workshops
Figure 2. Summary of Voting Results from All EAP Workshops
The voting results, as shown in Figure 2, reflect strong interest across all proposed energy
program options. Bill Assistance and Discount Programs received the highest number of

individual votes (55 each), followed closely by Rebates (53), Solar Options (47),
Weatherization (45), and Other (44). In terms of group votes, Bill Assistance again led with
76 votes, followed by Discount Programs (69), Rebates (58), Weatherization (57), Solar
Options (50), and Other (38).
The definitions of each group are explained below in Table 2. These results highlight
a consistent preference for financial relief and support programs among participants.
Voting Option Definitions
Options
Option Definition
Solar Options
Affordable and reliable solar options for residents’ homes.
Bill Assistance
Programs that help with utility and electricity bills, such as APS Crisis Bill Assistance.
Weatherization
Energy efficiency improvements that enhance the home envelope like insulation.
Discount Programs Utility discount plans like APS Energy Support or SRP Economy Price Plan.
Rebates
Financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, such as replacing appliances.
Other
A write-in option for attendees to suggest additional ideas not listed above.
Table 2. Voting Options and Definitions Shared with Participants During Workshops
Figure 3 presents the number of recorded votes in the “Other” category, which includes
participant-submitted ideas beyond the five pre-defined options. These responses are
grouped into two classifications: those related to Energy and those addressing Other Topics,
such as food, trees, improved street lighting, and more. The most frequently mentioned
themes across both categories included retrofits and appliances, trees, the high cost of
electricity and other living expenses, and the need for education for both adults and youth.

Figure 3. Breakdown of 'Other' Category Write-in Responses by Topic
Table 3 below provides a detailed breakdown of all categories and the number of comments
received under the “Other” responses. It’s important to note that some participants
selected the “Other” option but did not provide a written response; these entries were
categorized as ‘No response.’

Type of Comment in the “Other” Category
Count
Retrofit and Appliances
9
Trees
8
No Response
7
High Electricity Bills and Cost of Living
7
Adult and Youth Education
7
Personal Habits
6
Lack of Trust
5
High Cost of Solar
4
City Maintenance (lighting and green spaces)
4
Incentives for Weatherization
3
Affordable Rent and Energy Efficient Appliances
2
Discount Programs
2
Elderly Support
2
Grand Total
66
Table 3. Detailed Classification of 'Other' Write-in Comments

1.2 Qualitative Results
Results were organized by themes. The graph to the right
shows the first two categories used to classify comments:
Barriers and Solutions. The analysis included 161 comments
or data points that discussed barriers to energy affordability,
while 435 entries presented solutions to energy burden and
affordability. This suggests that participants were primarily
focused on finding solutions. This could be because they are
already well aware of the barriers they face and are actively
proposing ways to overcome them. Figure 5 below organizes
the data into themes that go beyond the barrier/solution
binary and highlights participants' interests in the energy
issues
and
solutions
they
encounter
at
home.

Figure 4. Qualitative Results by Barriers and Solutions
Each theme is explained in detail on the
following pages. Each section includes a
table
showing
the
total
number
of
observations identified within the theme
(total observations), as well as the number of
instances in which the theme appeared
across different workshop venues (workshop
presence).
Additionally,
each
section
provides a narrative exploring the topics,
themes, sentiments, and emotions shared by
participants during these sessions.

Figure 5. Key Themes Identified Through Qualitative Analysis
Energy Programs
Electricity Bill Discount / Assistance Programs were comments that expressed interest
and the need for programs that alleviate the urgency of residents to pay for their electricity
bills. One comment emphasized the need for such programs, specifically during heat
waves.
Weatherization comments include expressed interest in getting energy audits and financial
aid and subsidies to secure insulated windows and doors, double windows, window tint,

blackout curtains, window screens, foam insulation, white roofs, and incentives for
weatherizing older homes. Others mentioned the need to have larger windows to leverage
natural light and the need for a new electrical installation.
Retrofits include financial support programs to replace older appliances and reduce the
costs of energy-efficient alternatives, such as LED bulbs, cooling or air conditioning (HVAC)
systems, electrified appliances, window screens, and smart thermostats. These initiatives
are particularly beneficial for low-income residents.
"Discount Programs are Not Enough" includes comments from residents expressing
concerns about the limited availability of such programs. They often feel that these
programs do not adequately support low-income households, especially when eligibility is
based on tax returns. Additionally, the financial assistance provided is often insufficient to
make a significant impact on their economic situation. Residents also report feelings of
stress and anxiety, even when participating in these programs, particularly those that merely
defer their debt throughout the year.
“Take Advantage of Discount Programs” includes comments that express the interest of
residents to apply to such programs.
The last two comments highlight the need for more grants to fund discount programs and
the perception among residents that a lack of participation in these programs could lead
to their cancellation.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Retrofit Subsidies
65
8
Weatherization
47
8
Bill Discount/Assistance
12
3
Programs Are Not Enough
8
4
Take Advantage of Programs
5
4
Need for Increased Funding
1
1
Lack of Program Participation
1
1
Energy Programs Total
139
9

Behavioral Modification
Conservation includes using fans instead of AC to cope with the indoor heat and avoid high
electricity bills, setting thermostats to higher temperatures (78-83 degrees), especially
when residents are not at home, and lowering the temperature of water heaters during
summer. It also involves closing doors and windows to avoid air leakages, using cold water
and full loads when doing laundry, line drying clothes outside, unplugging electronics,
turning off lights when not in use, leveraging daylight during the day, changing AC filters, and
putting foil in windows to reflect sunlight and prevent heat from getting inside the home.
Time of Electricity Use details efforts to avoid using electricity during peak hours,
scheduling turning off/on electronics, or setting laundry when electricity is less expensive
based on the electricity plan each household has.
Cooking includes comments that explain how residents choose to cook outside, early in the
day, and even prepare cold meals to avoid the house heating up during the hottest hours of
the day.
Showering explains how residents try to have quick showers with cold water to avoid using
hot water, thereby saving energy and water.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Conservation
57
9
Time of Electricity Use
14
6
Cooking
12
4
Showering
11
4
Behavioral Modification Total
94
9

Cost of Living
This theme describes how residents feel their electricity bills are too high. They express
having to decide between paying for groceries, clothing, insurance, and medical expenses.
They also mentioned that their salaries are not sufficient to cover all their bills, and
comments highlighted the impact of indoor heat on their families, especially children and
the elderly. One comment suggested that with lower electricity bills, residents would be able
to save for a vehicle, allowing them to move freely and at their convenience. Some expressed

that their salaries are not enough to cool down their entire homes, with bills sometimes
exceeding $400. Saving money is an impossible task.
Participants also mentioned how everything has become more expensive, and they feel
that their house is leaking money. This theme includes two comments addressing the
challenges of living in an older house with hot walls and an energy-draining AC, and one
comment that supports avoiding the purchase of large houses that are difficult to cool.
Feelings of anxiety, anger, shock, stress, dread, and frustration were present across this
theme as well. Finally, one comment alluded to the need for increasing resiliency or the
need for backup power during blackouts.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Cost of Living
83
8
Education
Utility Programs include comments that express the residents’ interest in workshops or
events where SRP and APS share the programs they offer. Residents shared that they are
unaware of the programs available, what they include, who qualifies, etc. They also
expressed that such events could dispel misinformation.
Energy Use and Savings comments request information about how to improve the efficient
use of energy in residents' houses, time-of-use plans, demand charges, and cooling
methods that do not require significant investments but reduce the cost of electricity.
Education-Other includes sharing information about recycling, Virtual Power Plants,
climate change, electricity sources, and brainstorming/support sessions to find collective
solutions.
Youth refers to comments that express interest in conducting workshops with young people
to discuss conservation measures and increase awareness of topics related to energy
conservation, water, and the environment, especially at schools.
Language Services detail the importance of offering workshops, events, and information in
languages other than English, with an emphasis on the Spanish-speaking community.

Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Education: Utility Programs
19
7
Education: Energy Use and Savings
11
6
Education: Other
14
5
Education: Youth
11
5
Education: Language Services
9
5
Education Total
64
9
Trees and Shade
This theme includes general support for planting more shade-producing trees. Comments
also emphasized the need to plant more trees and create green spaces in neighborhoods,
around residents’ houses, and to avoid cutting trees. Participants reported high pollution
and a lack of trees in their residential areas. Residents also expressed the need for native
landscaping and green space maintenance. Three comments expressed the need for shade
structures.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Trees / Shade
54
10
Solar
Solar Incentives/Expense comments express general support for solar while also
acknowledging that it requires a big up-front investment. The need for financial incentives
for residential solar was highlighted.
Solar Other includes the use of Land “Land trade-off”, batteries and solar, community solar
and supply chain and jobs.
Solar Fraud includes comments about unusually high solar costs from residents who have
purchased a solar system. The lack of information about the financial process and costs has
exacerbated the problem. Others shared that solar companies have gone bankrupt, but the
debt has remained. They expressed frustration and concern about this situation.
Additionally, some residents mentioned that they do not perceive benefits in having solar
because they need to pay more than their actual electricity bill.

Solar Utility Scale includes comments that express the need for larger solar projects led by
government agencies. For example: “State needs to work with utility providers to install
large-scale solar” and “Do what France did – require solar on parking lots over a certain size.
We have the space, and it would generate low-cost energy.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Incentives/Expense
32
9
Solar: Other
8
2
Solar Fraud
6
2
Solar Utility Scale
5
2
Solar Total
51
9
Advocacy
Support Renewables and Energy Conservation includes comments that encourage the
City to lead by example in energy conservation, such as “Cities voicing support for the State
to make bigger leaps towards larger energy reduction” and working with the State to find
solutions, like “Cities working with the State to advocate for larger solutions.” This also
includes support for wind, geothermal, hydro, and renewable energy in general. It also
included a comment to implement “Time/cost effective solutions.” One participant
recommended looking at Oregon's policy framework.
Renter Rights include the concern of some renters that their landlords do not fix their AC
units or replace them when they are old and inefficient. A comment also mentioned that the
City could advocate for affordable rent and energy-efficient appliances. Weatherization
programs for renters and solar were also suggested. One comment mentioned that the lack
of options for renters makes them feel hopeless. Others mentioned that rents should be
cheaper or regulated.
Electricity Price Regulation expressed residents' interest in preventing electricity prices
from increasing. They mentioned that electricity prices should not increase and that the City
should regulate to ensure that electricity companies do not raise prices to pay for their
projects. Residents also stated that the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) needs to
work with people and that the City should remain vigilant of electricity prices to protect
residents. The creation of a watchdog agency was also suggested in this theme.

Eligibility includes support for discount programs, but residents noted that they do not
qualify and that these programs should be accessible to everyone. Renters expressed that
they do not know if they qualify for the program and feel they do not have a choice. Others
expressed the need to shorten the gap in qualification for rebate programs. Elders
mentioned the need to tailor programs specifically for them.
Regulate Solar Companies includes comments that explain the need for solar companies
to be regulated to avoid the community fraud they have experienced, which has made them
feel frustrated and stagnant. One comment mentioned that property taxes for solar should
go towards subsidizing solar in homes: “Why aren't our state property taxes going towards
solar panels on residents' homeowner roofs if they wish to participate?”
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Support
Renewables
and
Energy Conservation
11
4
Renters Rights
9
4
Electricity Price Regulation
8
5
Eligibility
5
3
Regulate Solar Companies
5
3
Advocacy Total
38
9
Lack of Trust
This theme includes comments that expressed a lack of trust in the government, utilities,
and solar companies. Residents were doubtful about discount programs: “The discount
programs that help to pay the electricity bill... no one helps for free. There’s no trust in
government officials, and people think there’s something behind these programs.” Other
comments include: lack of transparency, being scared to ask for help, “APS and SRP keep
us stuck,” “When it comes to residential solar, who can we trust, since there has been so
many fly-by-night companies?,” “Don't trust any solar that lets your windows be solar
heaters and does not offer a battery,” and “A lot of times the City commits to addressing this
issue, but nothing happens in reality.”
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Lack of Trust
10
6

Electric Vehicles (EV’s)
This theme includes three comments in favor of EVs. One highlights the importance of
electric buses, another stresses the need for EV incentives, while a different comment
expresses a preference for bicycles over EVs.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
EVs
6
5
Transit Accessibility
This theme includes comments that highlight the need for an efficient transit system and
diverse transportation options. Another comment notes that South Phoenix has been
negatively impacted by the light rail construction.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Accessibility
6
4
Batteries
This theme reflects two comments highlighting the need for recycling options for batteries
and the development of new battery technologies.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Batteries
3
2
Building Codes
This theme includes comments advocating for the incorporation of building codes to
enhance energy efficiency. Another comment emphasizes the importance of building green,
building fast, and building right.
Theme
Total Observations
Workshop Presence
Building Codes
3
2

1.3 Example of Vision Boards/ Collages
This section presents examples of the collages created by participants during the
workshops. These collages reflect some of the main themes discussed in Section 1.2, such
as the need for trees around homes, the difficult trade-off between paying bills and buying
food, and practical conservation efforts like harvesting rainwater, taking shorter showers,
and reusing laundry water.
Collages and vision boards also reflect the value of green spaces for family time, interest in
retrofitting older homes, and the financial strain caused by electricity bills and air
conditioning—often leading to feelings of shock. Additional themes include interest in solar
photo voltaic technologies and a desire to grow food, among others.

All images in this section were created by participants of the EAP community workshops.

2. Proposed Actions that Address Community Feedback
The list of actions in this section emerged from the comments and insights shared by
workshop participants. Actions were also informed by the Master of Sustainability
Leadership capstone project—an OOS partnership with Arizona State University—which
analyzed strategies implemented by other U.S. cities to reduce energy poverty among
residents. The capstone cohort provided valuable insights into best practices that
informed the development of the proposed actions outlined in this report.
While not exhaustive, the following list of activities captures a wide range of potential
initiatives the City of Phoenix could undertake to address energy affordability and equity. The
activities are organized according to the Common Reporting Framework by the Global
Covenant of Mayors (GCOM), under the section Energy Access and Poverty Assessment.
As a next step, OOS will share these findings and community feedback with internal
departments and key external stakeholders to assess the feasibility of these ideas, their
alignment with the Energy Access Plan goals, and their potential for implementation. This
process will also involve reflecting on the local government’s interest in specific actions,
based on time horizon, available capacity, and funding. Departments will be encouraged to
self-identify which actions should be prioritized, focusing on those most suitable for both
local government and residents, and which offer the greatest potential for impact,
scalability, and alignment with the EAP-approved target. Additionally, selected actions will
be detailed and broken down into smaller, actionable steps to support effective planning
and execution of the EAP.
Proposed Actions (organized by GCOM categories):
Investment & Securing Finance / City-Led Programs
Action 1. Expand the City of Phoenix Weatherization Assistance Program.
This could include allocating additional funding and seeking grants to expand the program
in support of energy efficiency retrofits in low-income communities, among other initiatives.
Services could include air sealing, efficient lighting, high-efficiency appliances, HVAC repair
or replacement, home energy assessments, etc.
Internal Capacity Building & Data Collection
Action 2. Integrate Energy Access, Housing, Heat, Water, and Health Strategies.
To better serve vulnerable communities, the City could adopt a holistic, cross-sector
strategy that acknowledges the deep interconnection between energy burden, housing
quality, water, and extreme heat. Strengthening building codes is another strategy that

could be pursued. Cross-sector collaboration and referral networks could effectively extend
program budgets and enhance accessibility by streamlining services for residents, such as
through the development of Resilient Community Hubs and the integration of the Tree and
Shade Plan with energy and water initiatives. The City could also consolidate engagement
efforts to make the best use of participants’ time.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Action 3. Community-Driven Planning and Programs.
The City could adopt a community-driven planning approach that centers resident voices in
program design and decision-making. This includes co-creating initiatives with trusted
community-based organizations and community members for cultural relevance and
accessibility. This also involves using participatory engagement methods to build trust, as
well as maintaining transparency through regular updates. The City could also continue
expanding its micro-grant offerings to support community-driven initiatives. Establishing a
Community Advisory Group composed of diverse local leaders could further strengthen
communication, elevate community priorities, and ensure ongoing dialogue between the
City and its constituents.
Action 4. Expand Multilingual and Community-Based Energy Education.
The City could enhance a holistic, multilingual, and community-based energy education
strategy by creating culturally relevant materials and outreach efforts that extend beyond
English and Spanish. Collaborative efforts could include hosting in-person workshops on
topics like financial assistance and energy affordability, launching social media campaigns,
facilitating webinars in community-preferred languages, and partnering with schools to
integrate energy education into youth programs. The curriculum for these efforts could be
informed by community input gathered during the EAP engagement efforts.
Action 5. Solar Access and Consumer Protection.
The City could expand solar opportunities for low-income households while enhancing
consumer education and safeguards. This includes building on pilot programs, partnering
with trusted nonprofits to share vetted vendor lists and consumer protection resources, and
offering workshops on solar readiness and financing. Additionally, exploring innovative
utility and nonprofit partnership models could also help reduce adoption barriers, prevent
fraud, and support informed decision-making.
Action 6. Workforce Development.
To build a diverse and skilled energy workforce, the City could promote awareness of energy-
related careers by sharing information on job opportunities, grants, incentives, and training
programs. Supporting inclusive workforce development initiatives and partnering with

nonprofits already active in this space could further strengthen pathways to employment
and ensure equitable access to emerging green job markets.
Policies & Regulation
Action 7. Support Sustainability Advocacy Structures.
The City could support and amplify resident voices through strategic partnerships and
inclusive engagement across energy, food, water, housing, and health sectors. By
collaborating with advocacy organizations and government agencies like the Residential
Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), the City could help promote renter rights, the regulation
of solar companies, prevent electricity price hikes, and expand access to energy programs,
while working within its capacity.

3. Credits and Citations
Batchelor, M., et al. (2024). 2023 Heat Related Deaths Report [Report]. Maricopa County
Department
of
Public
Health,
Office
of
Epidemiology.
https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5820

Ma, O., & Vimont, A. (2024). Low-Income Energy Affordability Data - LEAD Tool - 2022
Update. [Data set]. Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI). U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.25984/2504170
Credits
Gratitude is extended to all the residents who participated in the EAP Community
Engagement Workshops. Appreciation is also given to the following partners for their
contributions to the facilitation of workshops, the data analysis process, and the
development of this document.

City of Phoenix
•
Carla De La Chapa, Chief Sustainability Officer
•
Carlos Aguiar-Hernandez, Energy Program
Superintendent
•
Luz Jimenez, Public Information Specialist
•
Karen Apple, EV Program Manager
•
Nancy Allen, Environmental Programs Administrator
•
Joshua M Uebelherr, Climate Program Manager
•
Karen Ibarra, Project Management Assistant
•
Madeline E Mercer, Program Manager
•
Ariel LeBarron, Project Manager
•
Rosanne Albright, Environmental Programs Manager
AmeriCorps VISTA
•
Lahayla Curiel
FUSE Executive Fellowship
•
TrixieAnn Golberg
Pinnacle Prevention
•
Adrienne Udarbe
•
Kenneth Steel
•
Jessie Gruner
Unlimited Potential
•
Emma Viera
•
Gabriela Hernandez
•
Tawsha Trahan
•
Masavi Perea
GLOBO
•
Florencia Seguezza
•
Paulette Castillo
Arizona State University
•
Adam Shealy
•
Morgan Degroff
•
Grant Buresh
•
David Hertzberg
•
Lauren Johnston
Mandela Washington Fellowship
•
Thomo Lekagane
ORISE Fellowship
•
Jorge Morales Guerrero

Community Partners
•
Salt River Project
•
Arizona Public Service

Want to learn more about Energy Resources
at the City of Phoenix?
Check out our website:
Phoenix.gov/Sustainability/Energy