Urban Legislative Response To Regulatory Energy Policy

Local government, when considering greater involvement in energy, must confront the trade-off between economic and political costs. The authors examine public attitudes about conservation to find the basis for public support as well as the differences of opinion between general citizens and elites and the ideological cleavages. The study illuminates the types of political inducements/enforcements urban populations are likely to support. This provides a guide to the institutional mix necessary if the US is to change its energy mix. There are also other factors not included in this study which could affect the receptivity of the public and city decision makers to energy conservation proposals. 21 references, 2 tables.