This paper presents a novel logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition framework that is tailor-made for unit cost indicators. It adds four new models to the existing LMDI model family. The main novelty of the new framework lies in the separation of quantity and price effects captured...

Green electricity programs enable households to voluntarily contribute to the development of renewable electricity by purchasing green electricity through their local utility. Using a dataset of all utilities in the United States, this paper explores the utility, consumer, and program...

The literature on the energy-efficiency gap discusses the status-quo bias as a behavioral anomaly that potentially increases the energy consumption of a household through at least three channels: (1) by making consumers keep their energy-using durables as long as possible, until wearout forces...

We estimate whether consumers respond to local energy costs when purchasing appliances. Using a dataset from an appliance retailer, we compare demand responsiveness to a measure of energy costs that varies with local energy prices versus purchase prices. We strongly reject that consumers are...

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...