Our Mission
Our mission is to empower frontline communities to lead local renewable energy transitions by advancing policy change, public education, and community-owned energy systems that prioritize environmental justice over economic extraction.
Emerging Energy Justice is a Washington nonprofit corporation founded in Olympia, Washington, organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We work at the intersection of climate science, energy policy, and racial and economic justice, guided by the belief that the communities most harmed by climate change and extractive energy systems must be the ones leading the solutions.
Why Climate Action, Why Now
Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is a present and escalating crisis. Across the Pacific Northwest, rising temperatures, drought, and wildfire are becoming more frequent and more severe. These are not only environmental events; they are social justice issues that disproportionately impact low-income, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities, who often lack the resources for adequate mitigation and recovery.
Who Else Is Working on This Issue
We situate our work alongside organizations already advancing climate justice nationally. The Sunrise Movement, a youth-led advocacy group, centers frontline communities in shaping bold climate legislation (Sunrise Movement, 2024). The Climate Justice Alliance, a network of more than 70 grassroots organizations, advances a transition from an extractive economy to a regenerative one, including community-controlled renewable energy and local resilience hubs (Climate Justice Alliance, 2022). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s 2023 Sixth Assessment Report confirms the scientific consensus that global emissions must be halved by 2030, and that vulnerable populations will be hit hardest absent transformative change (IPCC, 2023). We also draw on the Energy Democracy movement and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)'s case studies on decentralized, justice-centered energy systems, such as Minneapolis's Clean Energy Partnership (ILSR, 2023).
Our Approach: A Systems Lens on Climate Justice
We use the Iceberg Model of systems thinking to understand climate change not just as a set of visible events, but as the product of deep, often invisible, structures and beliefs. This framework shapes every program we design.
Observable Events
Record-breaking heat waves, multiple destructive wildfire seasons, hazardous air quality and "smoke days," surging utility bills from increased cooling demand, and grid strain across our region.
Underlying Patterns
Delayed government response, dependency on centralized fossil-fuel energy systems, urban planning that neglects climate resilience, and urban heat islands concentrated in low-canopy, underserved neighborhoods.
Structural Causes
Fossil fuel subsidies estimated at $11 million per minute globally (IMF, 2022), historical redlining that placed marginalized communities in environmentally risky areas, slow implementation of climate adaptation policy, and zoning laws that discourage walkable, mixed-use development.
Mental Models
The belief that technology alone will save us; that environmental harm is an acceptable cost of progress; that individual action matters more than systemic change; and a persistent disconnect between climate change as a global problem and the need for local, community-driven solutions.
By intervening at the level of policy and mental models — not just downstream symptoms — we aim to create durable, systemic change rather than temporary relief.
Our Programs & Leverage Points
Our program strategy is built around two high-leverage points in the climate system: energy infrastructure policy and the cultural narratives that shape it.
Community-Owned Renewable Energy & Utility Policy Reform
Centralized utility monopolies often prioritize large-scale, fossil-fuel-dependent energy while under-serving marginalized communities. We advocate for policy reform — including Community Choice Aggregation and municipal partnership models — that decentralizes energy generation and governance. We partner with grassroots and Indigenous-led organizations to co-design solar microgrids and local resilience hubs, piloting solutions in tribal and low-income neighborhoods first.
Public Education & Narrative Change
The belief that growth equals success underpins economic and policy systems that externalize environmental cost. We work to shift this narrative through community storytelling, public campaigns, and education grounded in regenerative economic models such as Doughnut Economics — already gaining traction in cities like Amsterdam and Portland — which redefine progress in terms of community well-being and ecological health rather than GDP alone.
Worked Example: Designing Our First Program
Mission (Restated)
Emerging Energy Justice empowers frontline communities to lead their own renewable energy transitions through policy change, public education, and community-owned energy systems.
Stakeholders
Residents of frontline communities affected by energy insecurity and excluded from clean energy planning decisions.
Pains Identified
- High and unpredictable energy bills strain household budgets.
- Residents feel shut out of utility and city energy-planning decisions.
- Rooftop solar and community energy programs are marketed in language residents don't recognize as "for them."
- Past promises from outside organizations went unfulfilled, creating distrust.
Gains Sought
- Lower, more predictable energy costs.
- A real seat at the table when energy policy is decided.
- Local ownership and control over community energy projects.
- Trust in an organization that keeps its word and shows up consistently.
Selected Prototype (Gain Creator)
A Community Energy Council — a resident-led advisory body that trains community members to participate directly in utility and city energy-policy decisions, paired with a plain-language “Know Your Energy Rights” education series. This became Emerging Energy Justice's first program.
Leadership & Advisory Board
Our leadership pairs grassroots organizing experience with technical energy-policy expertise.
Marisol Fuentes
Advisory Board Member
Founder & Executive Director, Roots & Renewal Collective; former Director of the Washington State Office of Environmental Equity. Marisol brings two decades of experience connecting racial, economic, and environmental justice, and supporting frontline communities in building regenerative economies.
Dr. Malcolm Reyes
Advisory Board Member
Executive Director of Policy Research, Cascadia Energy Policy Institute. Dr. Reyes is a leader in modeling energy policy that advances decarbonization while protecting communities, bringing a data-driven complement to our grassroots organizing.
Dr. Dion Gouws
Founder & Registered Agent
Founder of Emerging Energy Justice, based in Olympia, Washington. Dr. Gouws leads the organization's policy, programmatic, and community-partnership strategy.
Nonprofit Status & Transparency
For funders and grant reviewers conducting due diligence, our current organizational status is summarized below.
| Legal Name | Emerging Energy Justice |
|---|---|
| Entity Type | Washington Nonprofit Corporation (RCW 24.03A) |
| Founded | July 1, 2025 — Olympia, Washington |
| Tax-Exempt Status | Organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; IRS determination application filed. Contributions may become tax-deductible retroactive to the date of incorporation upon IRS approval. |
| Governance | Governed by a Board of Directors and guided by an Advisory Board; operates under adopted bylaws and a formal Conflict of Interest Policy (RCW 24.03A.615). |
| Registered Agent | Dr. Dion Gouws — Olympia, Washington |
| Fiscal Year End | December 31 |
| Anticipated Gross Revenue (Year 1) | Under $500,000 |
Note for site owner: Once the IRS issues a formal determination letter, update this table with your EIN and 501(c)(3) determination date, and adjust the tax-exempt language above accordingly.
Get Involved
Whether you are a foundation, grant-maker, community partner, or individual supporter, there is a role for you in advancing energy justice in Washington State.
Fund Our Work
We welcome partnership with foundations and grant-makers focused on climate, equity, and community resilience. Contact us to discuss current funding priorities and pilot programs.
Partner With Us
We collaborate with municipalities, utilities, schools, and grassroots organizations to co-design community-owned energy and education initiatives.
Volunteer
Join our efforts in community outreach, youth climate leadership programs, and public education campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emerging Energy Justice?
Emerging Energy Justice is a Washington State nonprofit corporation, based in Olympia, that advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) by empowering frontline, low-income, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities to lead local renewable energy transitions through policy reform, public education, and community-owned energy systems.
What is SDG 13 and why does it matter?
SDG 13 is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal focused on urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It matters because, per the IPCC's 2023 Sixth Assessment Report, global emissions must be halved by 2030 to avoid catastrophic consequences, with the greatest harm falling on communities least responsible for and least equipped to adapt to the crisis.
Where is Emerging Energy Justice based and who does it serve?
We are based in Olympia, Washington, and primarily serve frontline, low-income, Indigenous, and BIPOC communities across the Pacific Northwest who are disproportionately affected by climate change and centralized, extractive energy systems.
Is Emerging Energy Justice a registered nonprofit?
Yes. Emerging Energy Justice is incorporated as a Washington nonprofit corporation under RCW 24.03A and is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An IRS determination application has been filed; see our Nonprofit Status section for current details.
Are donations to Emerging Energy Justice tax-deductible?
Emerging Energy Justice has applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Once the IRS issues a determination letter, qualifying donations may be tax-deductible, potentially retroactive to our date of incorporation. Donors should consult a tax professional regarding their specific situation.
What programs does Emerging Energy Justice run?
Our two primary program areas are (1) community-owned renewable energy and utility policy reform, including support for Community Choice Aggregation and municipal energy partnerships, and (2) public education and narrative change, promoting regenerative economic models and community storytelling centered on frontline voices.
What is "energy democracy" or community-owned renewable energy?
Energy democracy refers to shifting control of energy generation, distribution, and decision-making away from centralized, profit-driven utility monopolies and toward local communities. Examples include solar microgrids, co-operatively owned solar installations, and city-utility co-governance models such as Minneapolis's Clean Energy Partnership.
How can funders or grant-makers partner with Emerging Energy Justice?
Foundations and grant-makers can reach out via our contact information below to discuss current funding priorities, pilot programs, and reporting practices. We welcome the opportunity to share our full program budget and logic model upon request.
Who serves on the Emerging Energy Justice Advisory Board?
Our Advisory Board includes Marisol Fuentes, Founder and Executive Director of Roots & Renewal Collective and former Director of the Washington State Office of Environmental Equity, and Dr. Malcolm Reyes, Executive Director of Policy Research at the Cascadia Energy Policy Institute. The organization was founded by Dr. Dion Gouws, who also serves as registered agent. See Leadership for full bios.
How can I volunteer or get involved locally?
Community members can get involved through outreach efforts, youth climate leadership programs, and public education campaigns. Visit our Get Involved section or reach out through the contact form below.
Contact Us
Emerging Energy Justice
Olympia, Washington
Email: diongouws@gmail.com
We welcome inquiries from grant-makers, community partners, media, and prospective volunteers.