Background: Energy Use, Capacity, and Policies

Abstract

This chapter provides background and context for the book, including the four alternative energy case studies provided in Part II and the analysis of public opinion data in Part III. The development of alternative energy technologies is a primary focus of energy policy in California, Oregon, and Washington, with each of the states engaged in regional efforts with British Columbia to promote the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy of 2013. Although more conservative Idaho is not a signatory to the action plan, it does have enormous renewable energy capacity and does offer some renewable energy incentive programs in conjunction with utilities. This chapter provides each state’s energy profile in terms of overall consumption and the major sources of energy currently in use, followed by an overview of state renewable energy capacity, as well as current regional and state energy policies.