Understanding Experiences of Energy Services Access in Rural Northern US Communities: A Comparative Case Study on Recognition Justice

ABSTRACT

This paper reports on an ongoing study of energy services in rural, northern U.S. communities. Anchored in case studies across three northern states, the research aims to understand how residents experience energy service access. These case studies were selected for their shared histories of resource extraction and inclusion of Tribal Nations within each community. Using an online survey, the study finds that residents of these rural northern communities report facing high energy burdens, with 26% of households reporting that they spend over 10% of their income on energy costs. Energy burden varies across the three case study communities in correlation with energy costs. Heating remains predominantly dependent on fossil fuels, with only 4.6% of households utilizing heat pumps, which offer a more energy‐efficient method of heat production using electricity. Cooling demand is currently being met by inefficient systems, including central and window air conditioners. Low‐income households bear a disproportionate share of these challenges, exacerbated by poor housing insulation and reports of more frequent power outages. Acknowledging the distinct histories and needs of rural northern communities with post‐extractive legacies represents a form of recognition justice and requires future energy decisions to be responsive to their unique needs and vulnerabilities.