Role of local governments in promoting energy efficiency

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6804965· OSTI ID:6804965

Lee, H.

An examination is made of the incentives which influence the decisions by local governments to adopt energy-efficiency programs, either unilaterally or in partnership with the Federal government. It is found that there is significant potential for improved energy efficiency in urban residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and that exploiting these opportunities is in the interest of both Federal and local governments. Unless there is a unique combination of strong local leadership, a tradition of resource management, and external energy shocks, communities are unlikely to realize this potential. Conflicting demands, traditional perceptions, and lack of funding pose a major barrier to a strong unilateral commitment by local governments. A Federal-local partnership built upon and complementary to existing efforts in areas such as housing, social welfare, and economic development offers an excellent opportunity to realize the inherent potential of local energy-efficiency programs. At the local level, energy is not perceived as an isolated issue, but one which is part of a number of problems arising from the continuing increase in energy prices.

• Research Organization: Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (USA). Energy and Environmental Policy Center
• DOE Contract Number: AT01-79CS10047
• OSTI ID: 6804965
• Report Number(s): DOE/CS/10047-T6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
292000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
BUILDINGS
COMMUNITIES
DECISION MAKING
DEMAND FACTORS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
HOUSES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
PRICES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOCIAL SERVICES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS