H.R. 1375House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Energy Equity Act of 2021

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:25 PM UTC

The Energy Equity Act of 2021 amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to create an Office of Energy Equity within the Department of Energy. The office, led by a director appointed by the Secretary, will develop and coordinate energy planning, education, conservation, and delivery programs aimed at environmental justice. It focuses on lowering energy costs and expanding conservation measures for underserved or disadvantaged communities. The bill authorizes $20 million per year for the office for fiscal years 2021‑2025.

Key Provisions

Establishes an Office of Energy Equity within DOE, headed by a director appointed by the Secretary and paid at Executive Schedule level IV.
Director must implement programs that promote an agency‑wide environmental justice strategy, reduce energy costs, and increase energy conservation measures in underserved or disadvantaged communities.
Defines “energy conservation measures” to include efficiency improvements, conservation, and access to renewable energy sources, such as retrofits.
Defines “underserved or disadvantaged community” as those in ZIP codes containing low‑income or communities of color census tracts, or any area the Secretary determines is disproportionately vulnerable.
Authorizes $20 million in appropriations each fiscal year from 2021 through 2025 to fund the Office of Energy Equity.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Energy Subcommittee

February 26, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 25, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 25, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Energy Subcommittee

February 26, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 25, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1375

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 25, 2021

Mr. Rush introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish an Office of Energy Equity, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Energy Equity Act of 2021.

Office of Energy Equity

(a)

In general

Title II of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7131 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

218.

Office of Energy Equity

(a)

Establishment

There is established within the Department an Office of Energy Equity (referred to in this section as the Office). The Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and compensated at a rate equal to that of level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

(b)

Duties of the Director

The Director, in accordance with Executive Order 12898 (42 U.S.C. 4321 note) and the purposes of this Act, shall provide, direct, foster, coordinate, and implement energy planning, education, management, conservation, and delivery programs of the Department that—

(1)

promote an agency-wide environmental justice strategy and interagency collaboration;

(2)

reduce or stabilize energy costs within underserved or disadvantaged communities; and

(3)

increase the availability of energy conservation measures within underserved or disadvantaged communities.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Energy conservation measures

The term energy conservation measures means measures that improve energy efficiency, energy conservation, or access to renewable energy sources, including retrofit activities.

(2)

Underserved or disadvantages community

The term underserved or disadvantaged community means—

(A)

a community located in a ZIP Code that includes a census tract that is identified as—

(i)

a low-income community; or

(ii)

a community of color; or

(B)

any other community that the Secretary determines is disproportionately vulnerable to, or bears a disproportionate burden of, any combination of economic, social, and environmental stressors.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(b)

Conforming amendment

The table of contents of the Department of Energy Organization Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 217 the following:

Sec. 218. Office of Energy Equity.