As the United States continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of energy insecurity, the complexity of this issue demands a multifaceted strategy that transcends simplistic solutions. Energy insecurity, characterized by the inability of households to adequately meet their energy needs at an affordable cost, affects millions across the country, leading to adverse outcomes ranging from health problems to economic instability. While numerous studies have documented the extent and consequences of energy insecurity, a comprehensive framework to systematically tackle the problem has been conspicuously absent. Recently, researchers A.L. Knasin, S. Carley, A.B. Klass, and their colleagues have advanced this discourse by identifying critical ‘levers’ within the electricity sector that various stakeholders can utilize to address energy insecurity more effectively.
The electricity sector in the U.S. is a patchwork of interconnected actors operating at different levels, including federal, state, and local governments, utility companies, regional transmission organizations (RTOs), as well as community-based and non-profit organizations. Each actor wields specific powers—ranging from legislative authority to operational control—that can be leveraged to improve energy affordability and access. This research underscores the necessity of both direct measures such as bill assistance programs and systemic interventions like infrastructure modernization or regulatory reforms, which contribute to structural changes that prevent energy insecurity.
Federal government agencies possess unique capabilities related to regulation, funding, and policy formulation that can create nationwide standards and incentives. These powers are essential because they establish a baseline for protections, support research and development of clean energy technologies, and enable large-scale funding for programs targeting vulnerable populations. However, federal actions alone cannot fully resolve localized disparities or day-to-day operational challenges faced by utilities and consumers at the state or municipal level. Consequently, state and local governments play a critical complementary role by enacting tailored policies that respond to the particular energy affordability issues of their constituencies.
State governments oversee utility regulation and public utility commissions, which are gatekeepers for rate setting, service quality standards, and the design of energy assistance programs. Through these mechanisms, states can prioritize socially equitable outcomes and incentivize utilities to implement innovative solutions, including demand-side management and energy efficiency programs. Local governments, meanwhile, are increasingly important actors in energy planning and community engagement, often spearheading initiatives to facilitate renewable energy adoption and build resilient local energy infrastructures where low-income and marginalized populations can benefit.
Utility companies are central to the delivery of energy services and are often the entities directly responsible for designing payment assistance programs, managing customer relations, and maintaining the physical infrastructure. Utilities operate at the nexus of policymaker objectives and consumer needs, making their participation indispensable for designing effective interventions against energy insecurity. Innovations in utility business models, such as performance-based regulation or pilot programs for flexible billing arrangements, are emerging as promising levers to better align company incentives with social objectives.
Regional transmission organizations, which oversee the operation of electrical grids across different states, hold a less obvious, yet crucial, role in managing systemic reliability and market functioning. RTOs have the potential to incorporate energy security concerns into market rules and grid management practices to mitigate price volatility and ensure fair distribution of electricity costs. By integrating considerations of affordability and access into their market frameworks, RTOs can help stabilize costs that disproportionately affect energy-insecure households.
Complementing governmental and industry efforts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including community-based organizations and non-profits, act as critical conduits connecting policy and practice. These groups often have deep knowledge of local needs and are trusted messengers within communities, enabling them to facilitate program outreach, provide direct assistance, and advocate for policy reforms. Their involvement ensures that interventions are contextually appropriate and that energy-insecure populations have a voice in the decision-making process.
The interplay between these actors creates both opportunities and challenges. While each has a distinct mandate and sphere of influence, collaboration across jurisdictions and sectors can amplify the impact of individual levers. For instance, federal funding can support state-level program innovation, utilities can partner with NGOs for outreach, and RTOs can coordinate with state regulators to implement demand response measures. Cross-sector partnerships are critical for designing integrated solutions that address the root causes of energy insecurity rather than just its symptoms.
Importantly, the researchers emphasize that piecemeal approaches are insufficient. Energy insecurity is a structurally embedded phenomenon influenced by socioeconomic factors, housing conditions, and energy market dynamics. Addressing it requires a deliberate and coordinated combination of levers that operate across multiple levels and dimensions. This integrated approach promises not only to reduce the prevalence of energy insecurity but also to enhance overall energy system affordability and equity.
Technological evolution also presents new levers that can be harnessed in combating energy insecurity. Advances in smart grid technologies, energy storage, and distributed generation offer utilities and communities the tools to optimize energy use and reduce costs. Policy frameworks that incentivize adoption of such technologies by low-income households or integrate them into utility programs could transform how energy burdens are managed, creating opportunities for increased control and resilience.
Furthermore, regulatory innovation is crucial. Traditional regulation often emphasizes reliable service provision and utility profitability, but it may inadvertently neglect affordability concerns. Innovative regulatory models such as decoupling revenues from sales volume or adopting equity-focused performance metrics can realign utility priorities. By embedding social welfare objectives into regulatory frameworks, states and commissions can promote investments and practices that directly mitigate energy insecurity.
In addition to technical and regulatory measures, addressing energy insecurity demands attention to data and metrics. Reliable, granular data on household energy use, payment behaviors, and hardship indicators are essential for targeting assistance efficiently and evaluating program effectiveness. Collaborative data sharing between utilities, governments, and researchers can enable predictive analytics and proactive interventions, reducing the risk of disconnections and service interruptions.
The social dimension of energy insecurity requires ongoing commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. Tailoring interventions to diverse cultural contexts and linguistic needs increases program accessibility and trust. Community-based organizations play an indispensable role in educating residents about available resources, and their integration into policy design processes ensures that solutions are equitable and responsive.
Lastly, the issue of energy insecurity is inextricably linked to broader social and environmental justice concerns. Low-income and minority households disproportionately experience energy burdens, which contributes to cycles of poverty and health disparities. Addressing energy insecurity is therefore part of a larger agenda to foster energy justice, improve living standards, and contribute to sustainable development goals. Policymakers and stakeholders must remain vigilant against perpetuating inequities through well-intended but misaligned policies.
By synthesizing these various insights, the work of Knasin, Carley, Klass, and their colleagues provides a forward-looking roadmap for action. The identification of levers spread across multiple actors and scales highlights that the fight against energy insecurity is a collective endeavor that demands systemic thinking and multisectoral collaboration. If leveraged thoughtfully, these opportunities hold the potential to reshape the energy landscape in a manner that prioritizes equity, reliability, and affordability for all Americans.
As the energy sector embraces the imperatives of the 21st century, transforming challenges into opportunities, the strategic deployment of these levers can catalyze profound social impact. The future of energy insecurity in the U.S. will not be decided solely by technology or markets but by the collective commitment and coordinated leadership of the entire energy ecosystem.
Subject of Research: Comprehensive strategies and levers to address energy insecurity in the United States through multi-actor interventions within the electricity sector.
Article Title: Levers to address energy insecurity in the United States.
Article References:
Knasin, A.L., Carley, S., Klass, A.B. et al. Levers to address energy insecurity in the United States. Nat Energy (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-025-01959-7
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