Where Have All the Power Plants Gone? Assessing the Distributive (In)Justice of Energy Market Systems

Examining the market system of energy in America, we assess the existence of distributive injustices. Using a centroid-distance based method, we compare the demographic profiles of communities who host (are within a 5 mile radius of) oil, coal, solar and wind power plants to those who are non-host (fall within a 50-mile circle outside of the 5 mile host communities). Our findings demonstrate that while we may be transitioning to a more sustainable energy market system—reducing coal, increasing solar and wind farms—this is not being done equitable. We provide utility companies, non-profits and policy makers with insights into the unjust transitions that are occurring, concluding with implications for how to assess and achieve more just transitions towards and sitings of renewable energies.