Spotlight on energy efficiency in Oregon: Investigating dynamics between energy use and socio-demographic characteristics in spatial modeling of residential energy consumption

摘要

As the state of Oregon transitions to a low-carbon economy, households currently experiencing a high energy cost burden may be vulnerable to future energy price fluctuations. To identify areas susceptible to high energy burden, this study models household energy use intensity on a census-tract level in Oregon. Findings are compared with housing, racial, and sociodemographic characteristics to explore factors associated with high energy use. Finally, energy cost index is constructed and mapped to identify census tracts vulnerable to high energy burden for targeted program and policy development. Study results reveal that census tracts with higher level of energy use intensity have higher percent of older housing, low-income households, households experiencing energy burden, and populations of racial minorities and without high school diploma. This research advances our understanding of differences in energy consumption across diverse population groups and provides detailed information on energy use and energy cost burden for state-level policymaking.