Powerless: The People's Struggle for Energy

by Diana Hernández, jennifer laird

Energy serves as the lifeblood of our daily experiences. It permeates virtually every aspect of our existence, facilitating nourishment, safety, and productivity. When affordability threatens energy’s availability, a family’s living situation can become untenable—too cold, too hot, too dark, and too often, unhealthy and unsafe. In Powerless, sociologists Diana Hernández and Jennifer Laird reveal the hidden hardship of “energy insecurity” – the inability to adequately meet household energy needs.

Approximately one in ten households in the U.S. are energy insecure and four in ten are at risk for energy insecurity. These statistics alone do not convey the acute pain of utility shutoffs, or the relentless toll of chronic energy hardships marked by difficult choices and harsh living conditions. Drawing on survey data and interviews with one hundred energy-insecure individuals and families, Hernández and Laird detail the experience of energy insecurity. Individuals and families suffering from energy insecurity endure economic hardships, such as difficulty paying utility bills, utility debt, and disconnection from utility services. They also struggle with physical challenges, such as poor housing conditions and poor or dysfunctional heating and cooling systems. They are often forced to make difficult choices about what bills to pay. These decisions are sometimes referred to as “heat or eat?” choices, as families cannot afford to pay for heating and food at the same time. Energy insecure individuals and families employ a variety of strategies to keep energy costs down to avoid having to make these hard choices. This includes deliberate underconsumption of energy, enduring physical discomfort, and using dangerous alternatives such as open flames, ovens, or space heaters to try to maintain a comfortable temperature in their home. To be energy insecure is to suffer. Despite the heavy toll of energy insecurity, most people confront these difficulties behind closed doors, believing it is a private matter. Thus, the enormous social crisis of energy insecurity goes unnoticed.

Hernández and Laird argue that household energy is a basic human right and detail policies and practices that would expand access to consistent, safe, clean, and affordable energy. Their proposals include improving the current energy safety net, which is limited and often does not serve the most energy insecure due to stringent program requirements and administrative burdens. They also suggest redesigning rates to accommodate income, promoting enrollment and expansion of discount programs, reforming utility disconnection policies, improving energy literacy, and ensuring an equitable shift to renewable energy resources.

Powerless creates a comprehensive picture of the complex social and environmental issue of energy insecurity and shows how energy equity is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Lexi Crilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided fantastic insight on the pervasive, systemic issue of energy injustice in the US. The data presented in each of the chapters - combined with detailed personal narratives from a diverse group of people around the country with lived experience energy insecurity - creates a holistic and compelling depiction of how flawed our energy systems are. I especially appreciated the chapters analyzing the intersections of energy insecurity with other socioeconomic disadvantages, such as the positive feedback loop relating energy poverty and chronic health issues. While it was distressing to read about the many, multifaceted struggles the families interviewed have suffered through, the book concludes on an empowering note with thoroughly researched strategies to make energy systems more equitable, such as the SPARKED framework. I think everyone in the energy industry should be required to read this book - especially energy utility executives!

[William Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes to a struggle I never thought about before—energy insecurity. Hernández and Laird explain how families across the U.S. face tough choices between paying for heat or food. I was shocked to learn how common this is. Their interviews with real people made the issue feel personal and urgent, rather than just statistics. The book’s biggest strength is how it humanizes this crisis without being heavy-handed. It’s a compassionate, deeply researched exploration that shows energy is a basic human right. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the hidden struggles behind modern life.

[Nikhil Sharaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always thought energy issues were just about bills not being paid. But Powerless taught me how energy insecurity affects every part of life—from physical health to mental well-being. The authors share heartbreaking stories of families who live in extreme temperatures or have to make impossible decisions daily. What stood out is that most people hide this struggle out of shame, making it an invisible crisis. This book doesn’t just describe the problem—it offers solutions, like improving policies and making energy affordable for all. A must-read for advocates and anyone interested in how social and environmental issues are intertwined.

[Joey Fort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never thought about how energy impacts vulnerable communities, but this book made me feel the weight of it. The authors show how energy insecurity isn’t just about cold homes—it’s about emotional stress, poor health, and unsafe living conditions. The personal stories of families struggling to decide between heating and eating made me feel empathetic and hopeful at the same time. I appreciate how the book proposes practical solutions like better assistance programs and fair utility rates. It’s an eye-opener and an inspiring call for action.

[Anu Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerless challenges the way we think about energy. It’s easy to assume that everyone has access to electricity and heating, but the authors make it clear that this isn’t always the case. What really stood out was the connection between poverty, poor housing, and energy use. Families are not just cutting costs—they are risking their health and safety to survive. The authors offer solutions without blaming individuals for circumstances beyond their control. This is an empowering and necessary read for anyone concerned with justice and environmental health.

[Rohan Iyyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. The authors do a beautiful job of weaving research with real-life experiences, giving energy insecurity a human face. I especially liked the “Petal Lessons” that explain technical details in easy terms—it made me feel educated, not overwhelmed. The practical suggestions like expanding discount programs and improving access to clean energy are a breath of fresh air. If you want to learn how energy problems affect families—and what can be done about it—this is the book to read.

[Sanya Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What really moved me in Powerless were the personal stories. Families sharing how they endure cold winters or extreme heat without safe heating or cooling systems made me realize how widespread and silent this issue is. The way Hernández and Laird listen and present these experiences shows deep respect and understanding. Their message is clear: energy insecurity is a social crisis that needs more attention and action. This book gave me both compassion and knowledge. I’ll be thinking about it long after finishing.

[Debby Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerless goes beyond statistics and policy—it shows how energy insecurity is a human rights issue. The stories of families who endure extreme conditions, face debt, or lose access to utilities are heartbreaking. But what I loved most was how the authors balance empathy with actionable advice. They don’t just point out problems; they provide clear, well-researched ways to create change. This is essential reading for social workers, policymakers, or anyone passionate about equity and environmental justice.

[Anna Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I never considered energy insecurity as a serious problem. It’s easy to take utilities for granted. But this book made me realize that for some families, it’s a life-or-death decision. The interviews were powerful, and I felt like I was right there with the people sharing their experiences. I appreciate how the authors not only highlight the problem but offer thoughtful solutions. The suggestions are practical and doable, which makes me feel like change is possible.

[Himanshu Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Energy insecurity is something that rarely comes up in conversation, but this book sheds light on it in a thoughtful and compassionate way. The interviews with families were deeply moving, and the real-life struggles made the issue feel personal rather than abstract. The authors don’t just explain what’s wrong—they explore how systemic issues make these hardships even worse. I appreciated how the book encourages dialogue and provides realistic pathways for helping those in need.