Explaining Demand for Green Electricity Using Data from All U.S. Utilities

Marc Conte () and Grant Jacobsen

Energy Economics, 2016, vol. 60, issue C, 122-130

Abstract: Green electricity programs enable households to voluntarily contribute to the development of renewable electricity by purchasing green electricity through their local utility. Using a dataset of all utilities in the United States, this paper explores the utility, consumer, and program characteristics that influence participation levels in green electricity, as well as whether a utility chooses to offer a program. Among other results, we find that the key determinants of program participation are the education of the consumer base and the affordability of the green electricity program. Our results enhance understanding of private provision of environmental public goods and could aid in ex ante evaluations of whether a green electricity program is likely to cover its administrative costs or be a cost-effective way of improving environmental quality.

Keywords: Green demand; Green electricity programs; Private provision of environmental public goods; Renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H41 Q42 Q50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:122-130

DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2016.09.001

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