Lasting Impressions: Conservation and the 2001 California Energy Crisis

摘要

This paper presents the results of a study of household conservation response to theCalifornia energy supply crises during the summer of 2001 and in the post-crisis year of 2002. Itdraws upon two statewide telephone survey waves, with matched consumption information fromcustomer electricity bills, and weather data from various parts of the state. The analysis exploresconservation behavior, energy attitudes, social and housing demographics, and estimated energysavings. We found that the conservation response to the crisis exceeded expectations in theenergy policy community, with consumers showing surprising flexibility in their energydemands, and for reasons other than energy prices. While conservation actions (both behavioraland hardware purchase) were reported by a large majority of households, they were alsosomewhat socially segmented, and the resulting energy savings were not evenly distributedacross the population. There was persistence of conservation a year after the crisis, as well ascontinuing concern by consumers about energy-related issues. As a result of the crisisexperience, the routine functioning of the energy system seems to have been "problematized" formany Californians. Some implications of these findings for future energy efficiency andrenewable energy policies are considered.