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U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD) Tool
The LEAD tool, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a valuable resource for analyzing energy affordability for low-to-moderate-income households across United States. The tool data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey () 2018 five-year estimates to provide detailed insights into energy usage patterns. The dataset includes timeseries energy consumption data of the U.S. residential building stock at the end-use level, enabling a detailed analysis of energy usage patterns. You can access the original data portal for the LEAD tool through the provided link.
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CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a cornerstone dataset for the Energy Equity Explorer, translating U.S. census variables into an easy‑to‑interpret score that captures a community’s capacity to withstand and bounce back from shocks. By combining socioeconomic factors, household composition, minority status, housing, and transportation characteristics, the SVI pinpoints neighborhoods where limited resources, mobility constraints, or language barriers may amplify energy hardships. Integrating SVI scores with our energy‑specific metrics allows users to see where high energy burdens intersect with heightened social vulnerability—helping prioritize outreach, funding, and resilience investments where they are needed most
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U.S. Census Bureau
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau is used to understand the racial and ethnic composition of communities, which is crucial for identifying correlations with energy equity. This data includes the racial and ethnic breakdown (BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), Diversity Index, Prevalence Rankings, Diffusion Score, and Prevalence Maps, helping to highlight demographic disparities in energy burden.
