Residential energy conservation measures: a penny saved is a penny earned

Journal Article · · Environ. Law; (United States)

OSTI ID:6433273

Finklea, E A ^[1]; Treiber, M P

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1. Federal Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC

The authors are not suggesting that conservation alone will end our dependence on foreign oil. The focus is on basic household energy-conservation measures because they are technically simple, inexpensive, and available compared to more advanced energy-efficiency technologies (e.g., architectural designs and passive solar devices), or to alternative production technologies (e.g., photovoltaics and synthetic fuels). The social, institutional, and economic obstacles to implementing these basic measures are analyzed, and suggestions offered for overcoming these obstacles. During the Carter Administration, Congress enacted four laws to encourage the installation of household energy conservation measures. The laws provide: (1) tax credits for energy conservation expenditures; (2) conservation investment subsidies for low income homeowners; and require: (3) natural gas and electric utilities to implement residential energy conservation programs for their customers; and (4) the federal government to provide loan subsidies for household energy-conservation investments through a conservation bank. The potential effectiveness of these federal programs are analyzed. President Reagan's advisers have indicated that the new administration will place greater emphasis on energy production and less emphasis on conservation. Consequently, the effectiveness of these programs may depend on the priority given them by the Reagan administration.

• OSTI ID: 6433273
• Journal Information: Environ. Law; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Law; (United States) Vol. 11:3; ISSN EVLWA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
BUILDINGS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HOUSES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
THERMAL INSULATION