Energy at the State and Local Level: An Evolving Perspective

摘要

A review is presented of the development and evolution of state and local energy programs during the 1970's. The origins of the federal government's relationship with state and local governments are traced and the implication of the new federal agenda for that relationship is explored. A major focus is on the disagreement between state and local officials over their respective roles and the effect of that disagreement on federal policy. The responsibilities of both state and local governments, if both choose to have an energy presence, are examined. Four energy functions are assessed: planning and implementation; transferring information; subsidized financial assistance; and regulation and standard-setting. The relative strengths and weaknesses of assigning responsibility for each to one level of government versus another are determined. Certain services are best handled by one government or the other. For certain functions, the potential societal benefits of increased cooperation and collaboration may be significant. Some of the existing models for such cooperation and collaboration are reviewed. Attempts to extract from these models those attributes which may be relevant to the design of future state and local programs are also reviewed. (ERA citation 07:047102)