Overcoming the Behavioral Impetus for Greater U.S. Energy Consumption

Abstract:     
This article explores how law can use individual behavior to stabilize and reduce U.S. energy consumption. Drawing on the work of social scientists and behavioral researchers, it concludes that many opportunities exist to influence individual behavior to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. More broadly, the options suggested by this literature provide an important bridge between purely regulatory approaches and purely voluntary approaches. They provide a way of addressing the seemingly intractable problem of individual choices that lead to greater and greater energy consumption. To be sure, a variety of technological, economic, legal, and other barriers to energy efficiency also exist. Thus, the approaches suggested here are in addition to those needed to overcome these other obstacles.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 27

Keywords: regulation, energy consumption, energy efficiency, individual behavior, climate change, environmental law, motor vehicles, buildings, appliances

JEL Classification: L91, L94, O20, Q30, Q31, Q40, Q41, Q48, R20, R41, Q01

Accepted Paper Series