Accounting for Equity in Cost-Benefit Analysis

Current cost-benefit analysis practices ensure energy efficiency programs deliver cost-effective energy savings. This means inputs to the cost-benefit analysis look only at energy costs and savings, which does not account for environmental, economic, and health impacts of programs. Centering equity in program design requires that programs prioritize energy plus environmental, economic, and health impacts of programs. Implementing equitable energy efficiency programs provides benefits beyond energy as they improve neighborhoods and the built environment through investing in housing, reducing air emissions, and improving public health.