US states initiation of energy efficiency policies in the era of climate change: Throwing a searchlight on the influence of political partisanship

摘要

Responding to climate change, the most vexing environmental challenge of today, encompasses the use of measures enhancing adaptation to its current and future consequences and those aimed at mitigating further warming. This study addresses the latter response category. In particular, it examines the extent to which political partisanship influences states' energy efficiency policies. For context, energy efficiency improvement is one of the leading tools used to deal with energy consumption-related environmental problems, including climate change. Analysis of panel data spanning several years, indeed, shows that political partisanship is a leading driver of states' energy efficiency policies. More specifically, there is evidence that Republican Party dominance in states is negatively related to these policies, which is consistent with findings from prior studies and the political partisanship explanation of environmental commitment and protection. However, part of this relationship is influenced by the strength of the fossil fuel industry, that is, coal production. It would seem that the political consideration among Republicans that has stymied policy response to climate change at the federal level is exerting a likewise influence at the state level. Based on the findings reported here and in prior studies, getting a handle on the environmental challenges of today will require getting Americans identifying as Republicans to embrace the need for environmental protection.