The Just Energy Transition Center (JET) puts communities at the center of the clean energy transition and empowers them to advocate for the futures they want. JET supports communities impacted by the energy transition, including those communities where fossil energy is being retired and those where new energy is being developed. JET assists communities, workers, and states facing the difficult economic and social consequences of closing fossil fuel plants, especially coal plants.

The Just Energy Transition Center has developed the following set of principles to guide our work:

1.  People come first. The energy transition away from fossil power plants has economic and social consequences for individuals and families. These impacts are often unevenly distributed. The JET Center will focus on mitigating the impacts of plant closures on people, while supporting a more equitable future energy system.
2. Equitable outcomes depend on broad stakeholder engagement. The energy transition will affect workers, communities and their citizens, businesses and vulnerable populations, utilities, schools, elected officials, community organizations and more. All must be allowed a seat at the table and an opportunity to engage meaningfully in discussion of the future of the community.
3. Consensus on transition direction is the goal. Reaching consensus with diverse individuals and viewpoints is not easy or fast but will result in more durable agreements.
4. Early action is essential. As the schedule for coal plant closures is known – in most cases – acting proactively, to develop a community-based vision, strategies and plans for economic redevelopment while plants operate, or as soon as possible, can help establish a glide path and reduce impact of closures on communities and workers.
5. Transition must be community-led. Each community has unique character, identity and circumstances. While technical and financial assistance will be needed and must be offered to impacted communities, the community itself must lead efforts to redefine its economic future.
6. A Just Energy Transition is long term work. Loss of a major economic engine for a region will not be mitigated quickly. As a state-chartered educational institution ASU is committed to being a long-term partner with communities, as they go through the challenging work of economic and social transition.