Beyond Rebates: Building Accessible and Equitable Energy Efficiency for Washingtonians
How Do You Design a $100M+ Energy Rebate Program That Reaches the Communities Who Need It Most?
Client: Washington State Department of Commerce
Services: Strategic & Implementation, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, Research, Analytics, and Insight, Facilitation
Focus Areas: Climate & Sustainability, Workforce Development, Economoic Development
Barriers to Access Run Deep
Washington State had a historic opportunity to secure over $100 million in federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Home Rebate Programs. But funding alone doesn’t guarantee equitable impact. To meet Justice40 goals and ensure energy efficiency benefits reached overburdened communities, the Washington State Department of Commerce needed more than a plan—they needed trust, insight, and a deep understanding of lived experience. They turned to Kinetic West to lead a statewide engagement effort rooted in community voice.
Rebate programs often fall short for those who need them most. Upfront costs, complex application processes, and mistrust in public systems make it difficult for low-income households, renters, and historically underrepresented communities to benefit from energy efficiency programs. To avoid these pitfalls, the Washington State Department of Commerce needed to design a Community Benefits Plan and Education and Outreach Strategy grounded in the needs, concerns, and ideas of impacted communities.
Equity-Centered Engagement That Builds Trust and Yields Insight
We partnered with Emerald Cities Collaborative and Uncommon Bridges to create an inclusive, multiphase engagement process that prioritized listening, learning, and translating feedback into actionable strategy.
► Statewide Reach With Local Depth: We engaged over 600 residents and stakeholders across 70% of Washington zip codes, ensuring geographic, racial, income, and housing diversity.
► Multiple Ways to Engage: From 16 in-depth interviews and virtual listening sessions to 15+ in-person community events, we met people where they were—both literally and figuratively.
► Trusted Community Leadership: We convened a steering committee with leaders from 12+ counties and partnered with local organizations to ensure engagement was culturally relevant and community-led.
► Designed for Policy Impact: Every insight gathered fed directly into an Environmental Justice Assessment and implementation roadmap—tools that shaped how the rebate program would be designed and delivered.
The Results: Community Voice, Embedded in State Policy
Our work helped the Washington State Department of Commerce submit a strong, community-informed application for the IRA’s HOME and HEAR Rebate Programs—both of which received federal approval.
✔Actionable Recommendations: Six key areas for equitable program design, including the need for point-of-sale rebates, anti-displacement protections for renters, and simplified application pathways
✔Representative Participation: 35% of survey responses came from environmental justice priority zip codes, with balanced participation from renters (45%) and homeowners (54%)
✔Clear Paths to Implementation: Strategies to build a diverse contractor workforce, use trusted messengers for outreach, and center affordability at every step
What’s Next: From Strategy to Implementation
The Washington State Department of Commerce used our Environmental Justice Assessment to finalize the design of its rebate programs and submitted both the Community Benefits Plan and Education and Outreach Strategy that we authored. With funding secured, the state is now turning toward implementation. Kinetic West is partnering with Guidehouse to help ensure these funds are distributed equitably—so Washington families can begin to see real energy savings and lasting benefits.
Why It Matters
Rebates don’t equal access: communities need more than just financial incentives, they need comprehensive support systems. And without intentional design, even the best-funded programs can reinforce existing inequities. This work showed what’s possible when impacted communities shape the systems meant to serve them.
Let’s Talk
Are you working to build or improve advising systems in your region or state? We’d love to help you assess what’s working, what’s missing, and how to create systems that deliver for every student. Email theresa.kouo@kineticwest.com to connect.